Sewer odor is a pretty unpleasant smell so when it becomes prevalent throughout your home, you’re going to want to find the cause of it – and eliminate it – fast! Caused by the breakdown of human waste, sewer odor includes harmful gasses such as hydrogen sulfide, methane and ammonia.
Although occasional exposure does not harm humans, repeated exposure can have harmful effects over time and can even create a flammable environment in your home. Below, we’ve outlined some causes of sewer odors. To learn more, you can check out our previous blog post, “Why Does My House Smell Like Sewage?“, or you can reach out to our Crete sewer experts with any questions you may have.
South Suburbs
NW Indiana
Dry Water Traps in Your Home
Water traps, usually called p-traps, are commonly found under sinks and are designed to create a water barrier in the pipe to prevent sewer gas from escaping them. If these drains are seldomly used in your home, they could run dry. It’s a good idea to occasionally check the drains in your home and flush them with a couple buckets of water to keep them wet. If a trap goes dry, there’s no barrier to prevent sewer gas from entering your home, therefore, causing the odors to escape.
Sewer Backups
Sewer backups happen when sewer pipes develop a clog somewhere within them. Tree roots or other blockages cause clogs, which in turn gives you several signs that there’s a problem. Gurgling toilets, multiple slow or clogged drains and sewer odor all indicate a backup. Your best bet is to call a professional (ahem…) to rod the sewer line and get things flowing once again.
Faulty Toilet Wax Ring
The base of your toilet is connected to the sewer pipe beneath it by a strong wax ring that forms an airtight seal between the two. While wax rings usually last for over 20 years, they can get damaged from excessive plunging or movement of the toilet on the base. If you notice your toilet wobbling or water seeping from the bottom of it, sewer gas is escaping and can be a source of odor. In this case, you will need to replace the wax ring to eliminate both the water and the smell.
Damaged Pipes
Damaged or improperly installed pipes can cause leaks that allow water and sewer gas to escape them. If you see standing water under your sink cabinet or water on the floor, you probably have a leak that needs fixing. Buildup of standing water can cause the sewer odor to permeate your home.
Get Help from the Drain & Sewer Pros!
Sewer odors in your home almost always indicate a problem that needs swift correcting. If you notice a sewer smell in your home, contact us today! We’ll get a technician to your home quickly to eliminate the odor for good!