Sewer & Pipe Testing Equipment
Cherne Air-Loc joint testers, manhole vacuum testers, and air-testing accessories for sewer main and manhole acceptance testing — plus manometers and… · 33 products
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About Sewer & Pipe Testing Equipment
Acceptance Testing for Sewer Mains and Manholes
New sewer construction is accepted (or rejected) on the strength of its leak tests. This category covers the three tests municipal specs call for most: joint testing on large-diameter mains, vacuum testing on manholes, and low-pressure air testing on laterals and DWV systems.
Joint Testing — Cherne Air-Loc
Air-Loc joint testers (48" to 120") isolate and pressure-test individual pipe joints from inside large-diameter mains, so a failed joint is found before the trench is backfilled. Plate-style head assemblies cover 18"–42" pipe, parachutes position equipment through active lines, and quick-disconnect conversion kits turn standard plugs and caps into air-test heads.
Manhole Vacuum Testing
Vacuum testers (26", 32", and 36" heads) seal the manhole rim and pull a vacuum to verify the structure holds per the ASTM C1244 acceptance standard — the fastest way to prove a new or rehabilitated manhole is tight.
Low-Pressure Air Tests on Laterals & DWV
For smaller lines, a manometer paired with mechanical test plugs or pneumatic blocking plugs handles code-required air tests on drain, waste, and vent systems.
Ordering
Joint testers and vacuum test heads are freight items quoted per project — call (866) 514-3684 with your pipe sizes and spec section and we’ll configure the right setup.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sewer air test?
A low-pressure air test pressurizes an isolated section of pipe (typically to around 4–5 PSI) and watches for pressure loss over a timed hold. It’s the standard acceptance test for new sanitary sewer laterals and DWV systems — a drop means a leaking joint or fitting that needs repair before the line goes into service.
How does a manhole vacuum test work?
A vacuum test head seals the manhole opening, a pump draws the structure down to a specified vacuum, and the tester measures how long the manhole holds it. Hold times by manhole size are set by the ASTM C1244 standard; passing proves the joints, seals, and pipe penetrations are tight — in minutes, without filling the structure with water.
What is joint testing on a sewer main?
Instead of testing a whole run, an Air-Loc joint tester travels inside large-diameter pipe and pressure-tests each joint individually. Failed joints are located exactly — not just detected somewhere in the run — which is why large-diameter acceptance specs frequently require it.
Why would a plumber run an air or smoke test?
To find leaks that aren’t visible: an air test proves a new or repaired line holds pressure, and a smoke test traces odor complaints or illegal connections by pushing visible smoke through the system. We stock the air-testing side (plugs, manometers, joint testers); call us about smoke-testing gear availability.
How long does a sewer air test take?
Setup usually takes longer than the test. Once the section is plugged and pressurized, hold times run from a few minutes on small laterals to longer, spec-defined holds on larger diameters — the governing spec (often the local utility’s standard or ASTM) sets the exact time for the pipe size.
Do you quote testing equipment for municipal projects?
Yes. Joint testers and vacuum heads are configured and freight-quoted per project — call (866) 514-3684 with your pipe sizes and the spec section you’re bidding, and we welcome tax-exempt municipal purchasing.