Smoke testing involves pushing smoke-filled air through a sewer line to locate a leak. The smoke while under pressure fills the main line and any of its connections. It follows this path of the leak to the ground surface creating a visual confirmation of the source. The odor problem could be a sign of a cracked, broken or collapsed sewer pipe, so if you do smell an odor, it is important to call a plumbing professional to identify and repair the issue.