In most aspects of life, we can identify that something is wrong with our natural senses, especially when it comes to our sense of smell. Avoiding spoiled food and drink is easy if we trust our instincts when something smells “bad.” So, if you can detect an odor of sewage in your home, something is likely wrong. In a modern plumbing system, you should never notice this type of smell; the source must be found and fixed quickly. The smell of sewage comes from unhealthy bacteria, and exposure to it can cause illness. This article will look closely at seven reasons why your home may have a sewage odor problem.
1. Clogged Drains
In many cases, the cause of the foul odor is pretty simple to identify. The smell may emanate from a sink, tub, or shower drain. That drain may have slowed, or it could have stopped draining entirely. The cause of the problem is probably a biofilm buildup and a drain clog. The cause is usually the presence of things in the drain that shouldn’t be there, such as hair, dirt, sand, soap scum, mineral deposits, and other small items.
Over time, these items can become caught in the drain line and combine together to form clogs. When these materials combine with stick soap scum, they can expand to narrow the pipe diameter and even block it.
In some cases, the clog will be close to the drain entrance, where it can be manually removed with a plumbing auger (snake). However, the drain clog may be further into the pipes, where it’s hard to reach for manual removal. It may be tempting to use a caustic chemical drain cleaning product to remove the clog. However, this can damage the pipes, and the clog is likely to return later.
2. Biofilm
When we shower, we use various products, such as soap, body oils, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, and more. These substances are washed into the drain and other natural debris, including hair, nails, and skin cells. Gradually, these substances accumulate in the vertical pipes and P-trap, which sit underneath the shower. This accumulation is often referred to as a biofilm; its bacteria is composed of debris that is sticky and hard to remove from the internal surfaces. Biofilm emits a noticeable “rotten egg” sewage odor that’s hard to ignore.
This debris can be hard to remove, so the clog must be cleared, and the surfaces must be sanitized. To start, remove the shower drain, boil some water, and let it cool to 150ºF. Then, slowly pour the water into the shower drain and follow up with a cup of distilled vinegar. Add a half cup of baking soda and leave the mixture in the drain for a couple of hours. To finish, flush the drain with a gallon of not (not boiling) water and run a drain brush as far into the drain as you can reach. Hopefully, this will fix the problem, and the drain will smell clean and fresh again. If the problem persists, there may be an underlying problem, and you should contact your local plumbing professional.
3. Leaky Pipes
If the leaking pipes are under the shower and bathroom walls, they may release a sewage odor into your home. The pipes allow hydrogen sulfide gas to escape; the cause may be failing or loose-fitting plumbing pipes. Older metal pipes can be prone to pinhole leaks that can develop into larger perforations over time. The initial leaks may be caused by the presence of drain clogs that contain caustic chemicals. These materials can cause damage during prolonged exposure. If you’ve recently moved into a renovated or new home, the source of the problem could be poorly installed pipes. If a leaky pipe is complex to reach or difficult to work on, it makes good sense to contact a professional plumber to identify and fix the problem quickly.
4. A Dry P-Trap
The P-trap is the U-shaped pipe under the plumbing fixture that’s easy to spot under a sink. The purpose of this part is to hold water inside that prevents odors and gasses from the sewage system from entering your home. To work, the P-trap needs to be used regularly, or the water inside the part will dry up. This allows the odors to penetrate the home and make the entire house smell like sewage. Another common problem is that the P-trap has failed or a leak allows the trapped water to escape.
This can be a problem that’s simple or more complex to fix, depending on the exact cause. In an unused bathroom, you can turn on the water and let it run for a few minutes, which will refill the P-trap. If the smell persists, add a quart of water to each drain in the home, which may fix the problem. If the odor is still present, this may indicate that the P-trap has failed or developed a leak. There’s not much point in repairing the P-trap; it should be replaced with a fresh part. If you’re not confident with DIY plumbing, contact your local plumber, who will be happy to install a new P-trap.
5. Toilet Odors
These bad smells can be a simple fact that we can usually remove with one or two quick flushes followed by cleaning and an air freshener. But this may not do the trick; the sewage odor may be powerful and won’t go away even after multiple cleanings. This is a sure sign that there’s a severe plumbing issue to deal with. A clog in the sewer line could prevent the waste and wastewater from being flushed away efficiently. The cause could be a loose seal, a septic blockage, a broken pipe, or some other reason that needs to be identified and fixed. Tracking down the source of this problem and fixing it is beyond the DIY skills of most people. Specific specialized tools may be needed, such as sewer line cameras and hydrojetting equipment.
6. A Badly Fitted or Cut Vent Pipe
A vent pipe regulates the air pressure inside the plumbing system. This part does double duty to redirect odors from the plumbing system out of the home. This prevents foul odors from leaking into your bathroom and the rest of the house. However, a contractor may install a vent pipe wrongly, which can cause bad smells to be directed into a bathroom. A professional plumber should be able to identify this problem quickly and install a new vent pipe for you. If the vent pipe is cracked, they may use a smoke-emitting machine to fill it and look for leaks. This can trace the exact places where the gasses are coming from, and it may be possible to repair the vent pipe.
7. Water Heater Bacteria
If the foul odor is only noticeable when the hot water is used, the problem likely lies inside the water heater. A bacterial colony can grow in a water heater if turned off for a long time, or if the temperature is too low. These bacteria are not harmful to health, but they have that distinctive “rotten egg” smell that most people can’t stand. It may be possible to fix this problem by increasing the water heater temperature for a full day. This can kill the bacteria colony, and then the hot water taps can be opened to drain all the remaining microorganisms. Take care; during this time, the water may be much hotter than usual, and it’s too easy to burn. If this problem persists or returns regularly, you may want to upgrade your water heater or contact a local plumber for expert help and advice.
What is the Odor Produced by Sewer Gas?
Sewer gas has a distinctive “rotten egg” odor that’s impossible to ignore. To put it bluntly, this is the smell of human waste breaking down, and you’re smelling hydrogen sulfide. The upside is that the sewer odor will always smell stronger as you get closer to the source. So, if you follow your nose, you can get valuable clues about where the problem is located and how to fix it.
Is Sewer Gas Dangerous?
Aside from the unpleasant odors, there are potential health hazards related to sewer gasses. A primary sewage gas is methane, which may accumulate in large amounts and be highly flammable if the problem is unresolved. The methane can penetrate the home, and breathing it in can lead to gas poisoning. Some of the symptoms of sewer gas poisoning include nausea, vomiting, suffocation, loss of coordination, and a loss of consciousness. This situation will not improve without intervention and only worsens as time passes. Solving this plumbing problem should be a priority to keep everyone in the home safe and well.
