If you have sewer smells in your home, it will almost certainly be related to problems in your plumbing system. Sewer smells in your home don’t just smell bad, they can also be dangerous. This is because the sewer gases can cause serious health problems, such as asphyxiation, poisoning, memory loss, and headaches. Allowed to get bad enough, it’s not just the sewer smells in your home that will be a problem, but these types of gases can even cause house fires and explosions.
If you have sewer smells in your home, it’s important to call a plumber as soon as possible. Sewer smells in your home are not only nasty, but they’re signs of plumbing problems and can have serious consequences if not dealt with right away.
Common Causes Behind Sewer Smells In Your Home
There are several potential causes for sewer smells in your home, ranging from an easy fix to something more complex. Your plumber will be able to determine what’s making your home smell so disgusting and remedy the problem right away.
Some of the most common causes behind sewer smells in your home include:
- Sewer Trap Plugs
Perhaps the most common cause of sewer smells in your home, if your sewer trap plugs are loose or missing, this means that public sewer odor is being let into your home. This is because the purpose of your sewer trap plugs is for them to provide a barrier between your home and the city sewer system. Generally, replacing the sewer trap plug will clear your air.
- Lack Of Proper Drain Traps
Every plumbing appliance in your home needs to have a “P-trap” which holds water in a way that creates a seal, as well as ventilation systems to let sewer gases get outside. While professional plumbers will always make sure you have this, people who try to DIY their plumbing jobs may overlook this step.
- Dried Trap
If you have drains you rarely use, such as in a guest bathroom, this can cause the trap to dry out, resulting in sewer smells in your home.
- Broken Seals Around The Toilet
Your toilet should be secured solidly to your floor. If it wobbles when you try to shake it, this could mean there are air leaks in the seal around it.
- Clogged Vents
You need proper ventilation in order to ensure that sewer gases can escape your home. A plumber will be able to tell you if your vents are clogged or not.
- Broken Sewer Pipe
Pipes can crack, especially if they’re older. Pipe issues can result from root problems, things being flushed down your drains that shouldn’t have been, and plumbing in need of updating.
These are but some of the potential causes for sewer smells in your home. One of the expert plumbers from S & B Plumbing will be able to determine the exact cause of why your home smells so gross.
Why Are Sewer Smells In Your Home Dangerous?
A properly working plumbing system will ensure that hydrogen sulfide, a naturally occurring gas from sewage, gets directed out of your home. If this gas builds though and isn’t expelled from your home, it can cause serious health problems. If you have sewer smells in your home, that doesn’t mean it’s time to flee. Generally, the problem is mild and can be fixed before you have to worry about all the potential dangers. But since sewer gases can result in such terrible consequences, it’s best not to test your luck and call a plumber as soon as you can.
What Can Be Done About Sewer Smells In Your Home
First of all, if you have sewer smells in your home, you’ll probably already be opening your windows and using air fresheners. You’ll then want to call your plumber. Depending on the cause of the sewer smells in your home, what can be done to fix the problem varies. It could be as simple a fix as replacing a sewer trap plug or something much more involved, if your pipes are cracked. No matter the cause, your plumber will be able to fix it and get your house smelling normal again.
Do You Have Sewer Smells In Your Home?
S & B Plumbing doesn’t want you to deal with your house smelling like sewage, especially knowing all the potential risks that sewage gases bring with them. If you have sewage smells in your home, don’t hesitate to contact us for one of our professional plumbers to come out and fix it for you as soon as possible.