Some problems hide so well they start to feel unsolvable.
That’s exactly what happened at a popular Madeira Beach restaurant. For over 12 years, staff and patrons complained of a mysterious sewer odor that would drift through the dining room and kitchen—especially on humid days. It never seemed consistent, but it was always there.
They hired plumbers. Contractors. Even the city checked it out. No one could find the source.
Then they called I Find Leaks.
The Investigation Begins: Looking Up, Not Down
When our technician Tyler arrived on-site, he did what most professionals don’t—he listened. Really listened. The staff pointed to the ceiling. “It always smells like it’s coming from above, not the floor.”
Tyler immediately removed a ceiling tile to take a closer look.
Tyler investigates the source of a 12-year sewer odor by removing a drop ceiling tile to access concealed plumbing.
Hidden behind some insulation, a single pipe disappeared into a finished wall above the restaurant. From here, the mystery deepened.
A Sealed Wall and No Way In
With the ceiling open, it became clear: the pipe was completely sealed inside a finished wall. No access panels. No exposed joints. Just drywall surrounding an aging PVC pipe vanishing into darkness.
The plumbing pipe disappears into a sealed wall cavity, leaving no access for inspection or repairs without cutting into the structure.
At this point, it was clear—this wasn’t going to be a quick fix. But Tyler had brought the right tool for the job: a Hurco sewer smoke machine, part of our advanced sewer gas odor detection service.
The Ceiling Fills With Smoke
With the system sealed off and the Hurco unit pressurized, Tyler introduced harmless, high-visibility smoke into the plumbing system. Moments later, the ceiling told a smoky story.
Thick smoke floods the restaurant ceiling cavity, confirming a hidden sewer gas leak behind the walls.
The drop ceiling filled with smoke. Not just a wisp—thick clouds poured into the space above the tiles. There was only one place it could be escaping from: behind the wall.
Fishing a Camera Into the Unknown
With precision and care, Tyler made a small inspection hole in the drywall—just enough to snake a camera through.
Tyler inserts a handheld camera into the wall near the sewer pipe to pinpoint the source of the smoke.
The camera illuminated a scene no one expected.
The Shocking Discovery: A Broken Pipe
Inside the wall, the sewer pipe had been completely severed. The joint was cracked and offset by inches. Smoke was billowing directly out of the break. It’s likely the pipe had been cut or knocked loose during a remodel over a decade ago and never properly repaired.
A sewer camera reveals the problem: a broken PVC pipe hidden in the wall, with smoke pouring from the offset joint.
No camera. No smoke machine. No expert like Tyler. It never would’ve been found.
Our inspection confirmed not just the location, but the cause—and helped the restaurant owners understand that their suspicions over the years were absolutely valid.
Marked for Repair and Back in Business
Before sealing everything up, Tyler placed a blue painter’s tape arrow on the wall to guide the upcoming repair team directly to the broken joint. There was no need to rip apart more walls or guess where the damage was.
Tyler marks the leak location with blue tape before sealing the ceiling so the restaurant can resume normal operations.
The ceiling tile was carefully put back in place. Business could continue without disruption—something Madeira Beach Public Works would’ve appreciated just as much as the restaurant staff.
Why It Worked
This wasn’t just about a smoke machine or a good ear. It was about combining deep diagnostic experience with the right tools and a thoughtful approach.
From precision sewer pipe inspections to smoke testing and even guiding cleanup efforts with high-pressure sewer jetting, I Find Leaks delivers solutions that actually work—not guesses.
And as part of Pinellas County’s thriving network of responsible contractors and leak detection specialists, we’re proud to help keep businesses running and homes safe. You can learn more about public sanitation systems in the region by visiting Pinellas County’s sewer services page.
Dealing With Sewer Odor? Don’t Wait 12 Years.
If you’re struggling with sewer smells in your home or business—even if no one else has found it—we will.
Call or text I Find Leaks at 727-409-2815 and let’s finally solve the problem.
Because no one should have to live with the stink of uncertainty.
