While it is highly unlikely that smoke will enter your home, for your peace of mind, you may consider making other arrangements prior to the test to help avoid any confusion or alarm to elderly people with the respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema.  The smoke is non-toxic and is most often used in testing household plumbing.  The manufacturer’s safety sheets for the smoke are available to all upon request.  Use the number listed on the notice to request notification immediately prior to the test.

When you receive notice that smoke testing will take place, you should:

• Check to see that all drain traps under basins, washing facilities and floor drains contain water; simply flush toilets and run or pour water into all drains, including unused fixtures and floor drains.
• Plug the floor drains if you are remodeling your bathroom and the toilet is not connected. Also, tightly seal the washing machine drain line with a wet or damp rag.
• If there is an individual in your home or business who has respiratory problems and/or mobility limitations, or if you have any additional questions, contact Utilities Department at (707) 469-6400.

• Do Not Become Alarmed
• Open windows to allow ventilation and note the location of the smoke emission; smoke will clear within a few minutes
• Exit the building and notify smoke testing personnel in the area or call (707) 469-6400. Our staff will take your information.

Since plumbing fixtures in your home or business are connected to the sanitary sewer system, there is the potential for the smoke to enter if the drains are not connected properly. This happens particularly under the following circumstances:

• The vents connected to your building's sewer pipes are inadequate, defective or improperly installed
• The traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers and other drains are dry, defective or improperly installed
• The pipes, connections or seals in the wastewater drain system in and/or under your building are damaged, defective, have plugs missing or improperly installed

It is unlikely, provided that your plumbing is installed and functioning properly, and provided "traps" are filled with water. Drains that are used frequently should be okay.

It is recommended to plug the floor drains if you are remodeling your bathroom and the toilet is not connected. Also, tightly seal the washing machine drain line with a wet rag.

If you are not sure, simply run water down the drain for a minute to ensure that the trap is not dry. It is important to locate dry traps as they could allow sewer gases to enter the home. Dry traps are most commonly found in basement floor drains that are used only during rare flood events or in unused fixtures. Please thoroughly check your home.

If you have an alarm company, you may want to notify them as the smoke detector could be set off by the smoke.

No. The "smoke" is not true smoke. It will not harm your health or leave a stain and will disappear rapidly without leaving an odor.
If the smoke enters your home, it may make you cough, but the smoke is:

• Non-toxic
• Non-staining with a distinct odor
• Harmless to humans, pets, plants, food and material goods
• Creates no fire hazard

If there are defects in the sewer mains and laterals, you may notice smoke venting out of holes or fissures on the ground, the lawn, or the street. Our crews will investigate and log the source for future repair work.

At no time will field crews have to enter your home.

However, if our crews notice smoke on your property, a City of Vacaville employee may request access to your property (i.e. backyard, side yard) to investigate.

The purpose of smoke testing is to find potential points of inflow and infiltration (leaks) in the public and private portions of the sanitary sewer system that could lead to extreme high flows in the sewer system during storm events. Smoke testing can also help locate the following:

• Buildings that have downspouts, cellar, yard or basement drains
• Catch basins and parking lot drains
• Any cross connections between sanitary sewers and storm drains
• Defective sewer connections that could allow sewer gases into a building