“What’s that smell?” It’s the question no homeowner wants to ask—and if you live in Pinellas County, it might be more than just a nuisance. In a recent case in Clearwater, a persistent sewer odor wasn’t just irritating—it was a sign of something far more serious: a rodent infestation coming directly from the home’s plumbing system.
This is a story you need to see to believe.
We began this job using our industrial-grade Hurco smoke tester, a safe and EPA-approved tool that pushes dense smoke through the sewer system. With roof access available, we ran a long hose up from the sidewalk and started filling the plumbing lines with smoke. This is the only way to locate hidden openings that cause sewer gas odors—and in some cases, reveal how rodents are entering the home.
Once the machine was running, we quickly saw smoke emerging from one of the plumbing stacks on the roof. This told us the system was filling up and functioning properly for testing.
Then, we moved to the opposite side of the house and spotted smoke rising from a second stack. That confirmed the entire sewer system—from front to back, and left to right—was completely filled. This full saturation is exactly what’s needed to identify any cracks, broken fittings, or unwanted pest pathways.
Under the home, inside a crawlspace, we found a cast iron pipe coming up from the ground and transitioning into copper. Using a flashlight, our technician Tyler spotted the faint mist of white smoke curling around the pipe. That tiny leak was enough to let sewer gas into the home—and small enough to go completely unnoticed without smoke testing.
Just a few feet away, we encountered a plumbing Frankenstein: cast iron, copper, and PVC all joined together. Smoke was visibly leaking from every connection where the materials met. This type of mixed-material setup is common in older homes throughout Pinellas County—especially in areas like Largo, Dunedin, and Gulfport. It’s also a recipe for long-term sewer odor problems and rodent intrusion.
Then we discovered the real problem: a PVC pipe that ran up through the wooden floor. Smoke was pouring out around the base where the pipe met the rubber boot. The cause? Rodents had chewed a hole in the rubber to crawl in and out of the home—straight from the sewer system.
Rodents live in sewers. If they’re escaping into your home, there’s a breach somewhere in your sewer line. And this is exactly how infestations start: through gaps that you’d never find without a test like this.
Finally, a close-up inspection showed thick smoke coming from the back side of that same PVC pipe. This was the precise entry point the rodents were using. Without this testing, the homeowner never would have known.
Why Pinellas County Homes Are Especially Vulnerable
Many homes in Pinellas County were built decades ago and have aging plumbing systems made from a patchwork of materials. These older lines crack, shift, and separate over time—especially in humid coastal cities like St. Petersburg and Seminole. This creates the perfect storm for sewer gas odors and rodent invasions.
And most homeowners don’t realize the issue until it’s far too late.
By the time you smell sewer gas, the rodents may already be inside.
How We Solve It at I Find Leaks
At I Find Leaks, we use professional-grade smoke testing equipment to expose sewer line breaches that can’t be seen with the naked eye. We pair this with thorough crawlspace and under-slab inspections and offer video sewer pipe inspections when needed to fully diagnose the problem.
We specialize in sewer odor diagnostics throughout Pinellas County, including areas like Clearwater Beach, Palm Harbor, and Safety Harbor.
We even wrote a full case study on another recent sewer odor job in Clearwater — you can read it here.
What to Do If You Smell Sewer Gas or Hear Rodents in the Walls
First, don’t ignore it. A bad smell could mean a bad breach—and rodents follow those paths.
Second, call us. We specialize in finding the source without tearing up your home. Our advanced detection tools mean less guesswork and less damage.
Third, you can also contact the county if you suspect the problem is outside your home or affecting multiple homes. Here’s where to report a sewer issue in Pinellas County, and here’s the official county sewer system resource page for additional information.
Call or Text I Find Leaks Today
If you’re dealing with strange smells or signs of rodents in your home—especially near drains, toilets, or crawlspaces—don’t wait until the problem spreads.
📞 Call or text us at 727-409-2815 for fast, professional leak detection and sewer odor testing across Pinellas County.
We’ll find the source and help you breathe easier.
