Sewer odors in your home are like finding a dead fly inside a glass of your favorite milkshake, says Reside Rentals Management. It will annoy you and ruin your appetite. In the same way, sewer odors in your home can overshadow all the great things about it and make it uncomfortable and unattractive.
What causes sewer odors in your home, and how can you deal with the problems?
Causes of sewer odors in the home and how to fix them
There are many possible reasons why you smell sewer odors in your home. How you fix the problem depends on the cause. The great thing is that most of these problems can be fixed by taking routine maintenance of your home’s drainage system more seriously.
- A blocked drain line
An obstruction inside your drain lines can slow or prevent water flow through the pipe. This leads to debris accumulating at the site of the blockage. Over time, this debris can decay and release a foul odor that may eventually enter your home. Cleaning the drain line – by hydro-jetting the line or sewer rodding – will remove the blockage inside the pipes. To prevent future problems like this, install a strainer on the drain openings in your home, and do not dump food waste into the drains.
- A blocked vent pipe
The vent pipe for your sewer line provides an easily accessible pathway to release sewer gases from the sewer line. The vent pipe is typically found on the roof of the building. If debris somehow falls into the vent pipe and blocks it or an animal builds its nest inside the pipe, sewer gases will backflow into your home. To check if this is the source of your problem, you should inspect the vent pipe. If you have trouble reaching the vent pipe or getting on your roof, call a plumber to help you.
- Loose/missing cleanout caps or plugs
The outdoor cleanout provides easy access to the sewer line for inspection, snaking out the line, and general maintenance. To keep sewer gases from leaking out of the sewer line through this opening, the cleanout is either capped or plugged. If the cleanout plug or cap is missing or loose, sewer gases will leak into your home. Fixing this problem is easy. Locate the cleanout (it should be outside, usually at the foundation walls) and check if the cap or plug is missing, loose, or weak. Replace the cap or plug to solve the problem.
- A dried-out or clogged P-Trap
This is a P-shaped pipe found under the sink. Its purpose is to keep bad smells from the drains out of your home. It does this by holding a small amount of water inside the P-shaped section. If the water inside the P-Trap dries out – maybe because the drain has not been used for a long time – sewer gases can travel through the pipe into your home. This problem is common in guest homes and vacation houses. Running water through the drain should solve the problem. However, the drain may also be clogged with dried debris. In that case, you will need a plumber to fix the problem.
- Broken toilet seals
Your home will smell of sewer gases if the wax ring that seals the connection between your toilet seat and the floor is damaged. The wax seal can leak or become brittle from age or wear and tear. Your toilet will also leak if the wax seal is not properly installed. A broken wax seal will cause water to pool under the toilet; this is the cause of the sewer odors inside your home. To solve this problem, remove the toilet and replace the wax seal. If you are not handy, please get a plumber to help you.
- A broken sewer line
Among the listed causes of sewer odors in the home, this is probably the worst because of how much it costs to fix this problem. A broken sewer line will leak sewage into the surrounding areas, causing a bad odor to hang around your property. The sewer line can break because of old age, soil shifts, tree root intrusion, poor maintenance, or frequent use of chemical drain cleaners. If your sewer line is broken, the only option is to repair or replace it. An experienced plumber can camera inspect the sewer line to recommend the best choice.
Finally, how can you prevent sewer odors in your home?
This is not hard; it depends on how well you maintain your drain lines and sewer system. Regular and up-to-date maintenance of your drainage system and plumbing will help you detect the above issues and fix them before they become problematic.
An effective plumbing/sewer line maintenance plan should include a systematic inspection of the entire plumbing by a professional at least once a year, annual drain cleaning using hydro jetting or sewer rodding, and a professional plumber who can inspect and clean the sewer line.