Is your home plagued by a terrible sewer-like odor that just won’t go away? This may be because sewer gas is backing up into your home through the drainage system.
This poses a severe health risk, as sewer gas is a mix of chemicals such as methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. Being exposed to these chemicals can cause dizziness, headaches, poisoning, and even fires or explosions in large amounts of gas.
A sewer gas smell may be caused by any of the following issues with your plumbing, but the silver lining is that you can fix the issue yourself to remove the odor quickly.
While we still recommend you call a plumber just in case the problem is bigger than it seems, here are some ways to get rid of sewer gas smell quickly:
Clean Out Sink Overflow:
A sink overflow refers to a hole underneath or across the faucet. This leads to a sewer gas smell in the sink, since it can get filled up with soap scum, bacteria, and hair. These items make the sink prone to clogs and bad odors.
Take a look at the sink overflow and use a bottle brush to clean out the hole. Wipe away any grime buildup or use a mixture of chlorine bleach and water in equal parts to clear away the grime.
Inspect The Toilet Wax Ring:
A wax ring holds the toilet in place and seals the drains for water seepage. However, if this wax seal is damaged, sewer gases can permeate through it, creating a foul smell.
In this case, call your emergency plumber to replace the wax ring under your toilet.
Check for Dry Drain Pipes:
The pipe under the sink is called a p-trap. It is a U-shaped pipe that’s designed to hold a small amount of water to prevent sewer gas from backing up through the line. If this pipe is left to dry out, sewer gas can enter your home.
To deal with this, make sure the drain trap always has water in it. Run or pour a gallon of water into the drain to stop sewer gas from entering through this pipe.
Clean Bacteria From Drains:
Drains provide an ideal environment for bacteria to grow in, but you can clear our existing bacterial growth using cleaners.
Pour a cup of baking soda down a clogged or slow drain, and wait for a few minutes. Pour two cups of vinegar and wait again. If you hear sizzling noises, wait a few more minutes before you run water down the drain.
If the smell persists despite these efforts, schedule a visit with your emergency plumber in Mansfield for a professional checkup. Keep your family safe from the hazards of inhaling sewer gases with Pro Serve Plumbing’s 24-hour plumbers in Arlington are trained to deal with similar emergencies. Contact us here to book your inspection today.
