Inspection crews will be conducting a physical survey of the sanitary sewer system, as part of the Sewer Rehabilitation project started in May of this year. These crews work for RNA Inspections, Inc. This study will involve the opening and entering of manholes in the streets and easements.
An important task of the survey will be the “SMOKE TESTING” of the sewer lines to locate infiltration points in the collection system. The smoke that you will see coming from the vent stacks on houses or holes in the ground is NON-TOXIC, HARMLESS, HAS NO ODOR, AND CREATES NO FIRE HAZARD. The smoke should not enter your home unless you have defective plumbing or dried up drain traps. If this occurs, you should consult a licensed plumber immediately. In any event, if the harmless smoke can enter through faulty plumbing, the potential exists for sewer gases to enter your home. Should smoke enter your home, open doors and windows for ventilation. You may also contact a member of the smoke testing crew working in the area and he will be pleased to check with you as to where and why the smoke has entered your home. If you have any seldom used drains, please pour water in the drain to fill the trap, which will prevent smoke from entering there. Drain traps should always be filled with water to prevent sewer gases or odors from entering the building.
Some sewer lines and manholes may be located on the backyard easement property line. Whenever these lines require investigation, members of the inspection crews will need access to the easements for the sewer lines and manholes. Homeowners do not need to be home and AT NO TIME WILL FIELD CREWS HAVE TO ENTER YOUR BUSINESS OR RESIDENCE.
