Bring a flashlight and shine a beam into the vent pipes. Search for any obstructions , such as bird nests or other debris. Using a snake or another long tool, try to dislodge or remove them. For the best results, work with a plumber to address the issue — professional plumbers have the knowledge and tools to safely and quickly remove clogs from vent pipes. If you notice a sulfur-like smell when you turn on the tap, the problem may go deeper than a clogged drain.
Before assuming your water is the problem, try a few troubleshooting measures. Use a de-clogging solution to eliminate any buildup in the pipes. After you've given the cleaning material time to work, pour a glass of water down the drain and walk away from the sink. Smell the water — if it still has an odor, you might have bacteria in your water heater, or your water might contain hydrogen sulfide.
If the smell is only noticeable when you use hot water, the problem is most likely with your water heater. Occasionally, bacteria colonies can establish themselves in a water heater if the temperature of your heater is too low or if you leave it turned off for long periods. Fortunately, the bacteria should not be harmful to humans, so your health is not in danger. However, the bacteria produce a strong rotten egg smell in the house, which reduces your ability to enjoy your water.
How to fix the problem: If bacteria are thriving in your water heater, you can try increasing the temperature of your heater for up to 24 hours. Run the hot water taps to flush out the pipes of any remaining bacteria.
Remember to proceed carefully if you decide to turn up the temperature of your water heater — it is easy to forget your water is hotter than average, which can lead to burns.
If your water smells bad regardless if it is hot or cold, the problem might lie in your water source. Highly concentrated amounts of hydrogen sulfide produce a strong sulfur smell in the house. Although hydrogen sulfide can be toxic in large amounts, it is usually easy to detect before it reaches harmful levels. Humans can detect the presence of hydrogen sulfide as low as.
How to fix the problem: If you suspect your water source may contain hydrogen sulfide, contact your local water testing lab to have your water examined for contaminants.
Many sources of sewage smells are easy to fix at home. However, if you ever feel uncomfortable repairing a plumbing issue, do not hesitate to contact a plumbing service — professionals can quickly and efficiently solve your plumbing problems.
Some problems are beyond the expertise of the average homeowner. One issue in particular typically requires the knowledge of a plumber: a sewer backup. The most obvious sign of a sewage backup is overflowing drains. If your shower and toilet drains suddenly begin to gurgle with rancid water, you are most likely dealing with a major sewage problem. Sewage backup often results from large-scale events such as floods, tree roots or pipe damage. Here are a few of the most common issues behind a backed-up sewer.
In situations like this, your first action is to call an emergency plumber. They will be able to assess the situation and determine whether the issue is coming from tree roots or the city sewage system. Whether you are dealing with a failing water heater or a smelly laundry room, the professional team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse is here to help. For almost five decades, Mr. Rooter has been the nation's most trusted provider of plumbing and repairs.
We offer fair, upfront pricing estimates with no hidden overtime charges, and we are dedicated to providing the highest possible level of customer service. For plumbing and repairs, or to troubleshoot a stubborn sewage smell, contact Mr.
Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse today. A bad smell is usually a sign something is wrong — especially if it is a sewage smell. Sources of Sewer Smell If you smell sewage in your home, your first instinct is probably to examine the toilet — that seems like the most logical source of the problem. Odors From Your Shower Drain One of the most common sources of a sewage smell is not the toilet — if you notice a foul sewer smell in your bathroom, examine the drain in your shower.
Biofilm Accumulation When we shower, we use many different products. Use a screwdriver to remove the shower drain. The rest of the gases listed above are odorless. The odor threshold, the lowest concentration that can be detected with the nose, for hydrogen sulfide is somewhere between. As an illustration, 1 ppm on a linear scale is one inch in Question: Can these gases harm the people who come into contact with them?
Answer: Only under extremely unusual circumstances. Although hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas, it will not harm people at the concentrations that exist in a house with sewer gas odor problems. Studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide has a depressant effect on the central nervous system in concentrations above ppm. This is 15, to , times the amount detectable by most people.
Not enough gas is generated in the sewers for concentrations to approach the dangerous level in the dwelling.
However, if a person were to enter a tunnel or deep hole that contained sewage undergoing anaerobic breakdown, there is a chance he could become poisoned. Answer: The only way sewer gas can get into a home is if there is something wrong with your plumbing.
The most common fault in the plumbing system is untrapped drains, especially floor drains in the basement or utility room. Since , the City of Marion has had a plumbing inspection program and any houses built after that year should have no problem with a lack of traps.
If your house is older than that, your floor drains may or may not be trapped. If the vent is plugged or absent, those unequal pressures it was designed to eliminate may siphon the water out of the trap to such an extent as to ruin the trap seal.
This reaction can take place only when there is no oxygen or other oxidants in the microbial environment. Studies have shown that H2S is not produced in fresh wastewater for two or three days, by which time it is normally to or through the wastewater treatment plant. Sewer gases backing up into your home can be a severe problem. Sewer gas is a generic term for the noxious mix of chemicals that are the by-product of decaying waste.
Sewer gas can include hydrogen Sulfide , ammonia, and methane. Exposure to these gases can cause headaches, dizziness, memory loss, poisoning, and asphyxiation.
In large enough amounts, there is even risk of fire or explosion. Not all gas backups are so serious, and some are quite easily solved. So how do you know if you need an urgent repair? There are some pretty normal reasons why you may smell sewer gas in parts of your house that are easily fixed.
Water traps, sometimes called P-traps or S-traps, are commonly located near floor drains and laundry tubs and are underneath every sink in the house. They work by trapping water inside the curve and blocking the gas from traveling back into the house. If the trap is dried out, the sewer gas has a clear path into the house. If the smell is coming from a sink, simply run the water for a few seconds to restore the trap. If the smell is coming from a floor drain, pour a pitcher of water down the drain to restore the proper function.
Traps dry out when they haven't been used much, the air in the house is very dry, or there is a leak somewhere before the trap. Check the clean-out plugs for the house traps or any trapped main line. Clean-out plugs are access points in the main sewer lines, usually at the foundation walls. They provide access to snake out the line and prevent gases from traveling into your dwelling. Is it your sewer drain, or some other problem?
You feel unsure. A gassy smell isn't something you should ignore, but until you have better information, you may make a critical judgment error. Educate yourself first so you will know what to do after smelling gas. Natural and Propane Gas To rule out a dangerous gas leak, you need to understand how gas works. On its own, natural gas has no odour. However, your gas provider accounts for this by adding an extra chemical: mercaptan. If the air smells slightly musky or skunky, that's the mercaptan, a mild sulfur compound.
Since natural gas is lightweight, it rises in the air. By contrast, propane gas the type you'd use for your patio barbeque is heavy, so it sinks. When you understand the properties of gas, you'll be able to predict its behaviour more easily. Sometimes you won't know the source of the smell. The gas odour may be strong in the hallway or next to one of your closets.
It's tricky to find the source when you smell gas in general areas that are farther from pipes. If you have an empty spray bottle, fill it with a soapy solution two-thirds water to one third mild dish soap.
0コメント