The most common reason a basement smells like a sewer is problems with floor drains or drains in basement fixtures such as sinks, toilets, or washing machines. Sewer smell in the basement can also be a result of poor ventilation or, in the worst-case scenario, damage to your sewer line.
Why does my bathroom smell like a basement?
The drain may be clogged, but something simple like a dried-out water seal in a basement floor drain could also be the culprit. Other times a sewer odor is a sign of a bigger problem. Sewer drain clogs can affect multiple drainage points in your home, like toilets and showers.
Why does my basement smell like sewer when I do laundry?
Problems With Water Traps
One of the most common causes of sewage odor in the laundry room is dry traps. You might not know this but there is a water trap located somewhere below your floor drain.
Why does my utility room smell like sewer?
Clogs in the Drain Line
Your washing machine’s drain line can become clogged up over time. This can lead to smells that are very similar to sewer gas. Your drain doesn’t even have to be completely clogged for these smells to become an issue. Partial clogs can smell really bad due to built-up bacteria in the drain pipe.
How do I get rid of sewer smell in my bathroom?
The trusty non-toxic combo of baking soda and vinegar can clean drains naturally. Add one cup of baking soda to the clogged toilet or slow drain, then wait a few minutes. Follow with two cups of vinegar. Listen for bubbling and sizzling noises to indicate that the mixture is working.
What is that smell in my basement?
Generally, if we are talking about a smell in your basement, it isn’t a pretty one. What you smell may be mold, mildew, cat urine (or feces), dead mice, or sewer gas. If you have an older home, there’s a good chance you battle with moisture in your basement, which leads to some of these problem smells.
What causes a smelly basement?
The old musty basement smell that most people are familiar with is typically caused by mold and mildew. As these fungi grow, they release foul-smelling gases that permeate the room and embed themselves in fabric such as carpet, curtains, clothing stored in the basement, or even upholstered furniture.
How do I get rid of the sewer smell in my basement?
Simply pour a few gallons of water to re-establish the proper water barrier. You can add a small amount of vinegar to help remove any persistent odors. If you don’t use basement toilets often, the water from the P-trap can evaporate just like with floor drains. Give the toilet a flush or two to remedy the problem.
How do you get rid of sewer gas smell in basement?
Pour a gallon of hot, boiling water down any drains that are rarely used, such as the basement drain or guest bathroom shower. This should help eliminate odors caused by dry traps.
Why does basement smell like rotten eggs?
That “rotten egg” smell in the basement is sewer gas, or hydrogen sulfide. It comes from decaying organic matter like sewage in your plumbing lines, according to The Scottish Plumber on Angie’s List.
Why does my bathroom have a weird smell?
Clog drains, dried out water traps, and blocked vents can fill the cleanest bathrooms with unpleasant odors. Clogs: A buildup of hair and other residue in a drain can create a stink even when the drain seems to be working well. Bacteria feed on the waste and emit a foul stench.
Why does my bathroom smell like sewer after I shower?
Smelling sewer in the home means there is an issue in the shower with the drain, a vent pipe that is cut or not installed properly on the toilet, or seals that are broken or loose. Finally, a build-up in the overflow of the sink can also cause this smell.
Does sewer gas smell come and go?
The smell is likely strongest at floor level or at the drain. While it might come and go (or you may become so used to it you no longer notice it), it’s not fixed even if the smell dissipates for a while.
How can you tell if you have a sewer gas leak?
The symptoms include: loss of smell (you’ll no longer be able to smell the rotten egg odor of sewer gas) mouth, throat, and lung irritation. eye irritation and pink eye.
What are the symptoms of exposure to sewer gas?
- fatigue.
- headaches.
- nausea or vomiting.
- dizziness or lightheadedness.
- poor memory and concentration.
Can sewer gas come up through drains?
If you have a leak in any of your vent or drain pipes, sewer gases can escape out of the leak and stink up your home.
What does a sewer gas leak smell like?
Actually, sewer gas is mostly methane which is odorless but it’s almost always mixed with other gases, the most common of which is hydrogen sulfide which has a rotten egg smell.
What does a broken sewer line smell like?
The sewer line is the underground pipe that carries all your wastewater from the home to the sewer system. Four of the most common signs of a broken sewer line include multiple slow drains, foul smells inside the house, mold or mildew in the basement, and an increased presence of pests.
How do you know where your sewer smell is?
How Does Sewer Gas Get Inside Your Home?
- 1) Through the Toilet. The connection point around the base of the toilet will start to loosen over time. …
- 2) Up the Shower Drain. …
- 4) Broken or Missing Clean-Out Plugs. …
- 5) Dry or Clogged Drain Traps. …
- 6) Roof Vent Pipes.
How can you tell the difference between sewer gas and natural gas?
The first thing to do is make sure the smell is sewer gas—usually a rotten egg smell—and not a natural gas smell, which usually smells like a skunk. If you think it’s a natural gas smell (skunk!), call you’re natural gas company immediately. If they can’t be reached, call the local fire department.
Will a carbon monoxide detector detect sewer gas?
Does a Carbon Monoxide Detector Detect Sewer Gas? No, it does not. Carbon monoxide detectors DO NOT detect sewer gas. These devices are designed to detect only the presence of carbon monoxide, and thus will not pick up on the other gases that are found in a sewer gas mixture.
