Sometimes you detect a sewage smell in your house and you don’t know where it is coming from. It’s quite difficult to ignore it as it could also get you into a foul mood. If you leave the situation for too long, it may cause health issues and bigger problems later on. That’s why it’s best to find out where the smell is coming from and fix it right away. Here are the most common causes and solutions for sewage smell in the home.
Empty floor drain
Floor drains capture overflow water from sinks, toilets, or tubs. Then it directs the water safely to a sewer or drain so that the floor stays dry and flood free.
If you suspect that the foul odour is coming from your floor drain, the trap may have dried out. The S or the P traps holds water to prevent sewer gasses from coming up through the drain. Grab a bucket of water and pour it into the drain.
This will seal off the sewer gases and at the same time, you’ll determine if the drain is working properly. Try to refill the traps with water at least once a month when the weather is hot.
Floor drains can become clogged as well. Dirt and debris could enter the floor drain and clog the pipes. This mostly happens when you sweep the floor and you sweep the accumulated dirt into the floor drain.
You can use a crank snake to unclog it but it may not be long enough to remove all the dirt. If unsuccessful, you may need to call a plumber to clear the drain.
The drain needs to be cleaned
Drains can have organic build-up amassed over time that can cause a foul smell and block water flow too. Generally, hair strands, soap, grease, food waste make up the build-up.
Lift the drain cover and remove the visible dirt. Then test if the drain is still clogged, by pouring water into it. If the water drains slowly, there could blockage down the pipes. There a few simple DIY drain unblocking tricks you can try before calling a professional plumber who may use a drain snake (like the one to the right) or jet blaster to clear the blockage.
The toilet wax ring is worn out
The toilet wax ring is an airtight and watertight seal that prevents both liquid and gas leakage. If installed properly, the wax ring will last for about 30 years or more.
A broken seal is a rare problem but when it happens, the repair cost could be quite expensive. Toilet water can leak on your bathroom floor and or nasty sewage odours can waft into your home potentially causing health issues.
It is recommended that you call a licensed plumber to deal with this problem. Trying to replace the wax ring requires pulling out the toilet. It is a difficult job and could cause more problems when not done professionally.
Leak somewhere
Water leaks can also cause bad or musty smells. It can cause damage to your walls, floors, or furniture which can be expensive to repair.
Water leaks can also promote mold growth and other conditions which can lead to health issues later on.
Some water leaks can be easy to find because you see the water flowing or the damage it has done. However, if you’re unable to find where the leak is coming from, you can seek help from a plumber who provides a leak detection service. They have the right equipment to find the leak and repair it.
Early detection of nasty smells helps you save money from costly damage repairs. Also, prevent an increased water bill. The most important of all, you were able to prevent health risks it could impose on your family. Nothing beats the feeling of relaxing rest assured that your family is living in a safe, clean, and smell-free home.
Looking for a plumber?
To get to the bottom of that nasty sewage smell? If your located in the Ipswich area call us now and let a professional plumber solve your plumbing concerns.
