The smell is unmistakable. The methane-filled, rotten egg odor of sewer gas. And when you smell it throughout your home, it is not only unpleasant but it can be harmful to your health with continued exposure. So how does sewer gas find a way into your home? The answer may seem obvious but things aren’t always as they appear…
If your house smells like sewage, it’s important to find the source of the sewer gas smell to determine if it’s a single fixture backing up or the sign of a bigger issue, like a broken sewer leading to an impending backup.
This article discusses the sources of sewer smell in houses, as well as some tips to clear up the issue. But remember, some problems may not resolve on their own and will need a professional sewer and drain company to remedy, like Reid & Pederson Drainage.
South Suburbs
NW Indiana
Sewer Gas Smell Sources
Seldomly Used Drains
That floor drain in the basement that you never think about? It very well could be the source of your odor. When the bottom of the drain gets dry, it can emit a sewer gas smell.
Shower & Tub Drains
We use a lot of products in the shower – shampoos, conditioners, soaps, shaving creams, face washes…the list is endless. Couple all of those suds with our natural skin cells and hair heading down the drain and you have a smelly biological mess in your drain pipes. This sticky film builds up in your pipes and can create that sewer smell.
Dry P-traps
A p-trap is a u-shaped pipe that is designed to hold water to ensure that sewer gas and smells don’t ever make their way into your home. If the p-trap in a bathroom or basement drain goes dry, sewer gas will be able to escape and cause the distinct sewer smell throughout your home.
Sewer Backups
Signs your sewer is backing up include one or several slow or stopped drains or flooding. Backups are commonly caused by tree roots, blockages from items that are not supposed to do down your drains or be flushed, like wipes or feminine hygiene products, or simply because of old pipes that have cracked and broken with age.
How to Get Rid of the Sewer Smell in Your House
Pouring a bucket or two of water down seldom used drains or drains you suspect may have a dry p-trap may solve your issue of a sewer smell in your home. It is wise, however, to be aware of issues that indicate a major problem with your sewer that most often requires the help of a sewer expert.
Call in the Sewer Experts
If you’re experiencing a sewer smell in your house or think your sewer is backing up, give us a call at Reid & Pederson Drainage today! We are here 24/7 to quickly and effectively correct your drainage problems!