FAQ

Q: Can Blowfish P2 and F2 Smoke Blowers be used indoors?

A: Yes. Indoor compatibility is one of the key advantages of a Blowfish Smoke Blower. Only Blowfish blowers feature a "sealed barrel" design and a threaded Cleanout Adapter that create an air-tight connection to the plumbing system. This design ensures that smoke goes into the plumbing system and does not blow-back or leak at the blower setup. That said, proper setup and procedure are essential when operating a smoke blower indoors. Before initiating smoke, always verify that there is suction at the blower intake, confirming that air is moving freely through the plumbing system. This indicates that the blower is properly moving air (and eventually smoke) through the system. If free airflow is not present, it usually means the plumbing system is restricted. In that case, the restriction itself may be the issue the smoke test is meant to uncover. Do not smoke test a restricted system - it will not be effective and smoke may blow-back at the blower.

Q: Do you offer colored smoke?

A: Not for plumbing smoke testing—and for good reason. Colored smoke gets its appearance from dyes that can easily stain interior surfaces, furnishings, and clothing. During a smoke test, some smoke will inevitably enter the building, so it’s important to use a formulation that is safe for both the plumber and the building interior. For work in finished spaces or environments where clients may be sensitive to the presence of smoke, the Blowfish F-Series Smoke Blowers are the best option. These units use Blowfish F Series Smoke Fluid, which produces a mild, water-based smoke that is clean, low-odor, and safe for use in sensitive environments.

Q: How big of a plumbing system can I test with the P2 or F2 Smoke Blower?

A: Both the P2 and F2 Smoke Blowers are well suited for smoke testing plumbing systems in buildings of virtually any size—from small residences to large commercial structures. In larger buildings, the objective is usually not to fill the entire plumbing system with smoke at once. In many cases, it is more effective to isolate the suspected problem area using pipe plugs and test that section of the system. If a full-building test is desired, it is common practice to test the system in sections, again using pipe plugs to control where the smoke travels. The Blowfish F2 does offer an advantage for larger systems because it can produce continuous smoke output, allowing longer test durations without interruption. However, even with continuous smoke capability, breaking larger plumbing systems into sections is still the recommended approach.

Q: Does Blowfish offer service and technical support?

A: Yes. Blowfish Smoke Blowers are backed by a comprehensive warranty and U.S.-based service & support. If an issue ever arises, diagnostics, replacement parts, and repairs are handled directly by the same team that engineers and manufactures Blowfish equipment—ensuring knowledgeable, efficient support from people who understand the equipment inside and out.

Q: How many tests can I do with a full tank?

A: A full tank on the F2 Smoke Blower typically provides about one hour of continuous runtime. The exact number of smoke tests will vary depending on how much smoke each test requires. Some inspections require only a small amount of smoke, while others may require sustained output. In most cases, users can expect approximately 10–30 smoke tests per tank.

Q: Does a 90-second smoke pellet only give me 90 seconds to find the leak?

A: No. Despite the actual "burn time," smoke tends to circulate through a plumbing system and escape from faults for several minutes after ignition. This provides plenty of time to visually inspect the test area and identify leaks. In most cases, a single pellet is sufficient to inspect an area. However, additional pellets can be used as required. It can also be helpful to have an assistant pre-positioned near the inspection area—especially when the blower is set up far from where leaks are expected. In practice, smoke testing typically requires less smoke than most people expect, as defects are often revealed quickly once smoke enters the system. We generally recommend using the least amount of smoke neccessary to perform a smoke test.

Q: Does the smoke pellet get hot?

A: Yes, the smoke pellet does become hot while it is producing smoke. However, it is fully contained inside the blower’s steel smoke chamber, which safely isolates heat from the rest of the unit. The exterior of the blower itself does not become hot during normal operation. After the pellet has finished producing smoke, leave the blower running for 1–2 minutes. The airflow will cool the remaining pellet material inside the chamber. Once cooled, the pellet remnants can be safely removed and disposed of in the trash.