A strong sewer smell coming from your basement is most often caused from a dried out floor drain, a bad ejector pit seal, improperly vented appliances or fixtures, or even a damaged sewer line. … from little use, releasing sewer gas into the basement and stinking the place up.

How do you fix sewer gas smell?

1. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda into the drain.
2. Follow with one cup of white vinegar.
3. Let that sit for two hours with the bathroom door closed.
4. Slowly pour a gallon of hot water down the drain.
5. After 15 minutes, run cold water for 10 minutes to thoroughly rinse the vinegar down.

Is it normal for the basement to smell like gas?

A gas odor can be a sign of a small problem, like a dried out water seal in a floor drain. On a bigger scale, it can also indicate a broken sewer line or vent stack. Ignoring the smell can cause health problems for you and your family. “Hydrogen sulfide is dangerous even at low levels.

Why do I smell septic gas in my basement?

The most common cause of sewer gas odors in a basement will be due to your home being equipped with a large basement floor drain. This drain runs deep into your sewer line, and can give off foul sewer gas odors when: There is damage present in the drain line. The drain line is clogged, or needs cleaning.

How do you get rid of sewer gas smell in basement?

Solution: Dump around a gallon of clean water down the drain to reseal the pipe and keep the odor out of your basement (add a mild household cleaner to the water for a fresh scent). Note: This applies to rarely-used toilets, as well. If the water in a toilet bowl has dried up, simply flush the toilet again.

Why does my basement smell like rotten eggs when raining?

Raining often causes atmospheric pressure changes, which can lead to the air becoming heavy. As such, the methane gases typically found in the septic tank don’t flow through the vent as they normally would. Instead, they stay low to the ground, causing a foul smell similar to rotten eggs.

How do you tell if your sewer vent pipe is clogged?

1. A Primer on Plumbing Vents. …
2. Water Takes A Long Time to Drain. …
3. Dry and Empty Toilet Tanks. …
4. Foul Smells. …
5. Gurgling or “Glugging” Sounds as Water Goes Down the Drain. …
6. Get Those Clogs Out of Your Plumbing Vent ASAP.

How do I get the rotten egg smell out of my basement?

If the dry trap is to blame, the fix is simple: Just turn on the faucet a few seconds and let the water drain out. The water will fill the trap and effectively block sewer gases. If the smell is strongest in your basement, the floor drain trap may have dried out.

What are the symptoms of sewer gas exposure?

Exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulfide causes irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. Other symptoms include nervousness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and drowsiness. This gas smells like rotten eggs, even at extremely low concentrations.

Does sewer gas smell rise or fall?

Sewage gas is heavier than atmospheric gas and it “sinks” to the lowest level in the house or in a room. The sewage gas smells are caused because somewhere within or outside of the house, the rotten egg smell is not being vented and so it starts to accumulate.

Article first time published on

Why does my house smell like sewer in the winter?

Most internal home sewer odors come from dry traps. … Everything from cracks in the pipes to animals nesting and ice buildup in the vent stacks can cause horrible sewer odors to leak inside and outside the home.

Why does it smell like sewer in my house?

If you are detecting foul sewer odors inside the house, this means that there is a weak link somewhere in your plumbing system. Possible sources include bathroom sink drains, toilets, kitchen drains, basement drains, old cast iron piping, or even the vent stack that goes out through your roof.

How do I clean out my basement sewer?

Pour the vinegar down the drain to kill the accumulated bacteria and eliminate the sewer gas odors. Let that sit for 10 minutes. Flush the vinegar with more boiling water, and then repeat the entire process several times until the drain is sufficiently clean and odor free.

How do you get sewer smell out of vent pipe?

While you can’t stop the creation of septic and sewer gases, you can eliminate the odor that is caused as they exit the roof vent pipe or septic tank vent by installing a Wolverine Brand® carbon filter on top of your sewer vent.

Where is the sewer vent pipe located?

Plumbing vent pipes are located on roofs, away from windows or air conditioning units, so that the fumes can easily dissipate.

How much does it cost to unclog a vent pipe?

ServiceAverage CostService Call / Trip Charge$70 – $200Snake Pipes / Drain Cleaning$225 – $500Hydro Jetting$500 – $900

How do you find a clogged sewer line?

Run the water in the sink closest to the toilet for about a minute. If the toilet bubbles (gurgles) or the water level in the toilet rises, you may have a clogged sewer line. When your washing machine drains, the toilet overflows or water backs up in the tub or shower.

Why does my basement smell like poop after rain?

Sewer gas is gases coming from your sewage system that is produced by waste mixing with other household products going down your drains. The gas itself can be both non-toxic and toxic gases. … When your house smells like sewer during a rainstorm or just after a rainstorm, that is a sign you have some plumbing issues.

Why do my drains smell like sewer?

If your kitchen sink drain smells, especially if there is a sewer smell, you may have a dry P-trap. … It is supposed to hold water, which creates a seal that prevents sewer gases from getting into your kitchen. There needs to be water in the P-trap at all times. There may also be a drain pipe or vent problem.

Is it safe to stay in a house with sewer gas?

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. … Not enough gas is generated in the sewers for concentrations to approach the dangerous level in the dwelling.

Is there a way to detect sewer gas?

Since there could be several ways sewer gas smells can enter into your house, an odor detection test is a good place to start. The first step in getting rid of your sewer gas problem can be easily accomplished by an odor detection test commonly referred to as a “smoke” test.

Will sewer gas set off a carbon monoxide detector?

Answer: While a carbon monoxide detector is helpful to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you cannot rely on a carbon monoxide detector to detect a gas leak. … A gas leak is dangerous even before enough carbon monoxide is produced to set off a carbon monoxide alarm.

Why does my basement smell like dead animal?

Mold and moisture are the more-likely suspects. The scientific reason for the bad smell is the combination of chemicals including sulfur dioxide, methane, benzene derivatives and multiple hydrocarbons manufactured as the dead animal starts decaying.

How do you get sewer smell out of house after backup?

Fill a plastic spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar, and use it to neutralize raw sewage odors in your home. Hold your spray bottle 6 inches away from your furniture, and spritz to reduce sewage smells and other odors. In addition, mist hard surfaces in the same way to get rid of odors.

Why does fart smell like rotten eggs?

Your gas may smell like rotten eggs because of the sulfur in fiber-rich foods. Sulfur is a natural compound that smells like spoiled eggs. Many vegetables are sulfur-based. If this is causing your flatulence, a simple change in diet will be sufficient treatment.

Can sewer gas come up through drains?

The vent that protrudes out of your roof can get blocked with leaves, animal nests or other debris. When this happens, gases will find other ways to be released from your drains, which often means they travel back up through your sinks and drains.

Can sewer gas come up through the toilet?

Broken, Clogged or Poorly Installed Vent Pipes You may experience a bubbling sound coming from the toilet or the drain as sewer gas forces its way into the bathroom. Possible causes of blocked vent pipe could be poor installation or blockages caused by solid objects that find their way into the vents.

Can sewer gases make you sick?

Hydrogen sulfide gas is also known as “sewer gas” because it is often produced by the breakdown of waste material. … However, at higher levels, your nose can become overwhelmed by the gas and you cannot smell it. At higher levels, hydrogen sulfide gas can make you sick and could be fatal.

Where is the P-trap located?

The P-trap is a crucial element of the home plumbing system. It is the U-shaped section of the pipe located underneath the sink. Its function is to trap and hold enough water, which acts as a barrier to prevent sewer gases and odors from making their way into the bathroom.

Does sewer gas smell come and go?

Clogged drains One of the most common causes of sewage smells is a clogged drain. When your home’s wastewater has nowhere to go, the odors will come back up the drain they should be going down.

What is the best sewer line cleaner?

Best Overall: Drano Max Gel Clog Remover This commonly recognized product is popular for good reason—it’s a great all-around drain opener that’s effective and affordable, to boot. Drano Max Gel Clog Remover comes in 80-ounce bottles, and it’s safe to use on PVC, metal pipes, garbage disposals, and septic systems.