Tips for Homeowners.
What Causes the Occasional Strong Sewer Odor in Your House?
The foul odor of sewer gases is an unhealthy thing, and we know how to fix it.
Sewer smells can be a headache for most homeowners as they tend to spread to every corner of the house. Now that's certainly an issue when you have guests around and there is an uncomfortable environment due to the smell. It affects the overall air quality inside the home, but we need to identify the thing which is much more concerning. Well, what is that? It's the underlying issue that is causing the smell. In this blog post, we will explore the potential reasons behind the occasional strong sewer smell in your house and provide insights on how to address and prevent this issue. Once you understand where the smell is coming from, it will be easy for you to identify the possible solutions for it.
What can be the possible cause of the odor?
Dry Ptrap:
Do you know what a PTrap is? PTrap is a curved pipe designed to hold a small amount of water that acts as a barrier, preventing sewer gases from entering your home. Some drains in your home aren't used regularly so what happens is that the water in the PTrap will evaporate and it will give rise to sewer-like odors. However, the fix to this problem is very simple. Just run some water in that drain or consider using plumbing fixtures, such as floor drains, that have built-in traps.
Damaged Sewer pipes:
Damaged sewer pipes or pipes that have leaked in them, will also cause strong sewer smells to spread in your home. Over time, the pipes catch rust or may be damaged due to other reasons. They cause sewage to leak into the ground. These openings allow sewer gases to escape into your home, resulting in foul odors. You won't be able to fix this problem yourself because pipes are installed underground and identifying the leak will be an issue. As a result, you should hire a drain company to fix the issue for you.
Sewer Line Backups:
Sewer Line Backups are also the leading cause of bad odors in your home. Do you know how a sewer backup occurs? A backup occurs when the main sewer line becomes blocked, causing wastewater and sewage to flow back into your house. It leads to odors in your home and also results in sewage backups in components such as toilets, drains, or even basement floor drains. Just like the above, for this issue, you will also have to call a plumber because, without him, you won't be able to fix the issue. It is advised to immediately address the issue and prevent further damage.
Improper Ventilation:
Ventilation is one of the most importing you should have in mind when you are constructing your new home or doing renovation work to make your home new. Most homes in your country have vent pipes in the plumbing system that allows air to circulate and prevent the buildup of sewer gases. If these vent pipes become blocked or obstructed, it can result in a strong sewer odor inside the house. Have you wondered why are ventilation issues caused? They are caused by debris, bird nests, or even structural damage. The issue can be resolved if you bring in a certified plumbing company that can clean the vent pipes and make things smooth.
Design issues:
The design of your plumbing network can also be the reason for bad odors in your home. Plumbing system design plays a critical role in preventing sewer odors from infiltrating your home. Poorly designed plumbing systems can have various issues that allow sewer gases to escape, leading to unpleasant odors.
What are some precautions you need to keep in mind to prevent such issues in the future?
The following are some of those precautions:
Keep Traps filled with water: Make sure you keep your traps filled with water. Running water through the drains replenishes the water barrier and prevents sewer gases from entering your home.
Don't flush any flushable items: Items that don't fit through the sinkhole shouldn't be flushed at all because there are chances that your drain system will be clogged. It includes grease, oil, wipes, sanitary products, and other non-biodegradable materials.
Regularly Clean drains and pipes: It is extremely important to remove any build-ups and so you should regularly clean your drain pipes. It does not mean weekly, but there should be a thorough pipe cleansing after every 6 months. Use drain cleaning products or consider natural remedies like baking soda and vinegar to keep your drains clear and fresh.
Dispose of cooking grease properly: You should keep in mind that the cooking grease you empty into your sink is one of the leading causes of clogged drains and odors. Grease can solidify in pipes, leading to clogs and potentially unpleasant odors.
Regular Maintenance: Maintaining your plumbing system is a crucial thing and should be done after equal intervals. Never wait for the problem to arise, but take care of the issue beforehand so that the problem has no chance to arise.
Install backwater valves: Consider installing backwater valves in your basement floor drains or other areas prone to backups. These valves prevent sewage from flowing back into your home during sewer line backups, reducing the risk of odor issues.
Conclusion:
Frequent odors in your home can be a big issue, but it won't be an issue if you know why the odors are caused. If you know the reason why the odors are caused, then it is easy to fix the problem. Whether it's ensuring proper ventilation, fixing damaged pipes, or clearing blockages, consulting a professional plumber is essential to identify and resolve the specific issue causing the odor. If you keep all the causes in mind, then it won't be such a big issue. Moreover, if you take care of the precautions listed above, then you can relieve yourself of frequent odors and drain blockages.
What can be the possible cause of the odor?
Dry Ptrap:
Do you know what a PTrap is? PTrap is a curved pipe designed to hold a small amount of water that acts as a barrier, preventing sewer gases from entering your home. Some drains in your home aren't used regularly so what happens is that the water in the PTrap will evaporate and it will give rise to sewer-like odors. However, the fix to this problem is very simple. Just run some water in that drain or consider using plumbing fixtures, such as floor drains, that have built-in traps.
Damaged Sewer pipes:
Damaged sewer pipes or pipes that have leaked in them, will also cause strong sewer smells to spread in your home. Over time, the pipes catch rust or may be damaged due to other reasons. They cause sewage to leak into the ground. These openings allow sewer gases to escape into your home, resulting in foul odors. You won't be able to fix this problem yourself because pipes are installed underground and identifying the leak will be an issue. As a result, you should hire a drain company to fix the issue for you.
Sewer Line Backups:
Sewer Line Backups are also the leading cause of bad odors in your home. Do you know how a sewer backup occurs? A backup occurs when the main sewer line becomes blocked, causing wastewater and sewage to flow back into your house. It leads to odors in your home and also results in sewage backups in components such as toilets, drains, or even basement floor drains. Just like the above, for this issue, you will also have to call a plumber because, without him, you won't be able to fix the issue. It is advised to immediately address the issue and prevent further damage.
Improper Ventilation:
Ventilation is one of the most importing you should have in mind when you are constructing your new home or doing renovation work to make your home new. Most homes in your country have vent pipes in the plumbing system that allows air to circulate and prevent the buildup of sewer gases. If these vent pipes become blocked or obstructed, it can result in a strong sewer odor inside the house. Have you wondered why are ventilation issues caused? They are caused by debris, bird nests, or even structural damage. The issue can be resolved if you bring in a certified plumbing company that can clean the vent pipes and make things smooth.
Design issues:
The design of your plumbing network can also be the reason for bad odors in your home. Plumbing system design plays a critical role in preventing sewer odors from infiltrating your home. Poorly designed plumbing systems can have various issues that allow sewer gases to escape, leading to unpleasant odors.
What are some precautions you need to keep in mind to prevent such issues in the future?
The following are some of those precautions:
Keep Traps filled with water: Make sure you keep your traps filled with water. Running water through the drains replenishes the water barrier and prevents sewer gases from entering your home.
Don't flush any flushable items: Items that don't fit through the sinkhole shouldn't be flushed at all because there are chances that your drain system will be clogged. It includes grease, oil, wipes, sanitary products, and other non-biodegradable materials.
Regularly Clean drains and pipes: It is extremely important to remove any build-ups and so you should regularly clean your drain pipes. It does not mean weekly, but there should be a thorough pipe cleansing after every 6 months. Use drain cleaning products or consider natural remedies like baking soda and vinegar to keep your drains clear and fresh.
Dispose of cooking grease properly: You should keep in mind that the cooking grease you empty into your sink is one of the leading causes of clogged drains and odors. Grease can solidify in pipes, leading to clogs and potentially unpleasant odors.
Regular Maintenance: Maintaining your plumbing system is a crucial thing and should be done after equal intervals. Never wait for the problem to arise, but take care of the issue beforehand so that the problem has no chance to arise.
Install backwater valves: Consider installing backwater valves in your basement floor drains or other areas prone to backups. These valves prevent sewage from flowing back into your home during sewer line backups, reducing the risk of odor issues.
Conclusion:
Frequent odors in your home can be a big issue, but it won't be an issue if you know why the odors are caused. If you know the reason why the odors are caused, then it is easy to fix the problem. Whether it's ensuring proper ventilation, fixing damaged pipes, or clearing blockages, consulting a professional plumber is essential to identify and resolve the specific issue causing the odor. If you keep all the causes in mind, then it won't be such a big issue. Moreover, if you take care of the precautions listed above, then you can relieve yourself of frequent odors and drain blockages.
12/07/2023