A smells like sewage in your house is unpleasant and can also be a sign of bigger problems.
This guide will help you understand why your home might have that smell.
Also, explore how you can fix it.
Key Takeaways
- If the water in the P-trap dries out, sewer gases can enter your home and cause bad smells.
- Clogged drains let waste and food build-up and rot, causing bad smells.
- Damaged sewer lines can allow sewage gases to leak out.
- Vent pipes let air into the plumbing system, which helps water flow easily.
- Sewer lines are large pipes that move waste from your home to the main sewer system.
- Leaking pipes let water and sewage escape into walls, floors, or other areas.
- Just run water in the sink or shower with the dry P-trap.
Common Causes Of Sewage Smells In The Home
If your home smells like sewage, it could be due to several common issues.
Here’s a breakdown of what might be causing the smell and how to identify each problem:
1. Dry P-Traps
A P-trap is a curved pipe under sinks and showers that holds a small amount of water.
This water forms a seal that prevents sewer gases from entering the drain.
If the water in the P-trap dries up, sewer gases can escape into your home, causing unpleasant smells.
It happens if a sink or shower isn’t used for a while.
So, you might notice a bad smell coming from a sink or shower that hasn’t been used recently.
Simply running water in these fixtures can fix the problem.
2. Clogged Drains
When drains get clogged, waste and food particles can build up and start to decay, leading to bad smells.
Clogs often occur in sinks, showers, and bathtubs.
They can also happen in kitchen sinks due to grease buildup.
Slow drainage and bad smells coming from the drain are signs of a clog.
You might also notice gurgling sounds when you use the sink or shower.
If your drains are clogged, contact us today at Drain Cleaning Services for pro cleaning services.
3. Sewer Line Issues
Sewer lines can develop cracks, blockages, and breaks.
These issues can allow sewage to leak into the ground or even back up into your home.
When sewer lines are damaged, they can let sewage gases escape.
It leads to unpleasant odors in your home.
Now the question is, what are the signs of sewer line problems?
Look for repeated sewer backups, wet areas in your yard, or strong sewage smells outside your home.
4. Vent Pipe Problems
Vent pipes allow air to enter the plumbing system, which helps keep water flowing smoothly.
It also prevents sewer gases from building up.
If vent pipes are blocked or damaged, sewer gases can’t escape properly and might come into your home.
You might notice bad smells in your home or hear gurgling sounds in your drains.
Also, water in your drains might not flow as well.
5. Leaking Pipes
Leaking pipes let water and sewage escape into walls, floors, or other areas.
It leads to bad sewage smells.
Leaks can happen under sinks, behind walls, or in crawl spaces.
They might be hidden, making them harder to spot.
Look for water stains on walls or floors, damp areas, or unexplained increases in your water bill.
6. Broken Or Faulty Sewer Lines
Sewer lines are the big pipes that carry waste away from your home to the main sewer system.
Broken sewer lines can let sewage leak and produce strong smells in or around your home.
Look for signs like:
- Frequent sewer backups
- Bad smells near the ground
- Unusual wet spots outside.
Contact a plumber to inspect and repair the sewer line.
For expert services and advice, contact us at OP Plumbing Hub.
Solutions To Address Sewage Smells
If you’re dealing with sewage smells, here’s how to fix common problems:
1. Fix Dry P-Traps
Simply run water through the sink or shower that has a dry P-trap.
This will refill the trap with water, stopping the smell.
To keep P-traps working well, regularly use all your sinks and showers.
If you don’t use your sink or shower often, run water in it every few weeks.
2. Clear Clogged Drains
You can use a plunger to push through the clog or a plumbing snake to break it up.
Drain cleaners can also help, but use them carefully as they can be harsh on pipes.
If the clog is stubborn and unclear with these methods, it’s best to call a plumber for help.
3. Repair Sewer Line Issues
For small issues, you should clean or seal the line.
If there are more serious problems, a plumber might need to replace sections of the sewer line.
Sewer lines are complex; repairing them often requires special tools and skills.
A plumber can inspect and fix the issue properly.
4. Resolve Vent Pipe Problems
Check for any visible blockages and damage.
You can use a garden pipe to flush out minor blockages and remove debris by hand if it’s reachable.
Call a plumber if you can’t access or fix the vent pipe yourself or keep smelling bad odors.
They can inspect and repair the vent system correctly.
5. Address Leaking Pipes
Look for wet spots and water stains on walls and floors.
You might need to replace the damaged pipe or use glue to fix a leak.
Check your pipes regularly for signs of wear and fix any small leaks quickly.
Cover pipes in cold areas to prevent freezing and bursting.
6. Repair Broken Sewer Lines
Repairing or replacing sewer lines requires digging up the old pipe and installing a new one.
Plumbers use special equipment and techniques for this.
To prevent sewer line damage:
- Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper and human waste
- Keep roots from trees away from sewer lines
- Schedule regular inspections to catch problems early.
Conclusion
This article talks about common causes of houses smelling like sewage.
Solutions for this problem have also been discussed. Contact us at OP Plumbing Hub for pro services to get expert help and solutions for your plumbing needs.