Keep your sewer lines safe and efficient by calling Consider It Done Plumbing LLC for service in West Queens, NY.
Unpleasant odors in the home are frustrating, and sewer gas is one of the most unpleasant. If you suddenly smell rotten eggs around your bathroom or drains, you might naturally wonder, “What causes a sewer gas smell in the house?” Knowing the root of your smelly problem is the first step to fixing it.
Contact Consider It Done Plumbing LLC today to speak to a trusted plumber in West Queens, NY!
What Is Causing a Sewer Smell Indoors?
Sewage has an unmistakable smell of rotten eggs and dirty laundry. Identifying the source of a sewer gas leak is essential as it can signal a much larger problem with your home’s sewer system. Below are some of the most common causes of indoor sewer gas smells.
Dry P-Traps
Your sinks and drains have a p-trap—a curved section of pipe that holds water and stops gas from coming back up your drains. P-traps can dry out from evaporation or because of a leak, so there is no water to block sewer gas from bubbling back up the drains.
Blocked Sewer Vent
Your sewer system has special vent pipes meant to remove sewer gas from your home. If one of the vents becomes blocked or broken, the smells can re-route into the rooms of your house.
Clogged plumbing vents can become blocked with dirt, hair, and other debris that gets inside your drains. A blocked vent stack can also make your house more humid.
Sewer Line Backup
Another common reason why sewer gas is spewing into your home is a backed-up sewer line. Foreign objects can create blockages in your pipes, forcing sewer gas back up the drains. Sewer line backups can also result from tree roots growing into your main sewer line.
In the worst cases, sewer line clogs and obstructions can cause raw sewage to back up into your house through your toilets, showers, and other fixtures that connect to your main drainage line.
Damaged Sewer Line
What causes a sewer gas smell in the house? Another possible answer is a broken sewer line.
Sewer lines are typically buried in your yard, so damaged lines can cause unpleasant smells outside on your property. You can also often identify sewer line leaks by patches of overly green grass in your back or front yard.
Poorly Installed Plumbing Fixtures
If you or your plumbing company mess up installing a plumbing fixture, it can leak sewer gas into your house. For instance, an improperly installed toilet might leak gas out of the wax ring in the bottom.
Is Sewer Gas Harmful for Homes in West Queens, NY?
Yes, sewer gas can be harmful in higher concentrations. Sewer gas is full of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic, inorganic gas that can cause eye irritation, headaches, nausea, and chronic fatigue. Sewer gas is also highly flammable and can potentially cause an explosion when high concentrations are near an open heat source, such as a pilot light.
Getting Rid of Smelly Sewer Odors
Now you know what causes a sewer gas smell in the house—so how do you get rid of it? Below is a quick guide on getting rid of bad smells.
Find the Source
First, locate the source of the sewer gas leak. It is normally concentrated around your drains or where the smell is strongest. Tell-tale signs include cracked drain pipes, loose connections, faulty wax ring seals, and holes in fixtures.
Replace Damaged Connections
If you identify any damaged connectors, replace them as soon as you can. You can reapply seals and tighten pipe joints on your own. You can also seal small leaks using rubber cement to stop leaks while you call an expert to fix the problem.
Flush Drains
The next thing to try is cleaning your drains. You can flush them with a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water to clear blockages that could be causing sewer gas to back up into your house.
Ventilate Your Home
You can also ventilate your house to try and disperse the smell. Open your windows and doors and turn on ventilation fans to get the air flowing around the space. Try adding a carbon-based filter to your HVAC system to filter out any bad smells.
Your Trusted Plumber in West Queens, NY
At Consider It Done Plumbing LLC, we strive to be the go-to emergency plumber in your neighborhood. If you have any more questions like “What causes a sewer gas smell in the house?” contact us online or call today to request a service inquiry!