Skip to main content

SEWER ODOR DETECTION: HOW TO GET RID OF SEWER GAS IN YOUR HOME

Sewer lines are designed to protect you and your household from the unpleasantness and health risks of the liquid waste generated from your home. But sometimes, the system fails and releases sewer gases plus disgusting sewer gas odors into the home. What causes sewer gas odors in the home and is sewer gas harmful to human health?

CAN SEWER GAS HARM YOU?

Sewer gas, being a by-product of decomposing household waste contains a complex mix of gases and microorganisms. Some of these gases are harmful to humans and there is a huge possibility that sewer gas may also contain dangerous bacteria, warns Innovative Property Solutions. Gases commonly found in sewer gas are:

  • Hydrogen sulfide

This gas is responsible for the rotten egg smell of sewer gas. It is toxic to the oxygen system of the body.

  • Ammonia

Ammonia can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract or result in organ damage and even death.

  • Methane and carbon dioxide

Methane is a flammable gas and in large quantities can pose a threat. Carbon dioxide is harmless but should not accumulate in the home.

Exposure to sewer gas can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, poisoning, and asphyxiation.

sewer-odor-detection-brookfield

WHAT CAUSES SEWER GAS SMELL IN THE HOME?

Several things can cause sewer gas odors in the home. The most common ones are: 

  • Basement water traps

Basement water traps keep sewer gas from flowing back into your home. If water traps are not maintained properly, the water in them will evaporate and let sewer gases leak into the home.

  • Biofilm in the shower drain

Biofilm is a pinkish buildup that can happen inside the shower drain over time. It is mostly the result of shampoo and soap products washing into the shower drain. Buildup can cause sewer-like smells.

  • Dried out P-trap or S-trap

S-traps and P-traps can be found beneath every sink in the home and near floor drains or laundry tubs. They trap water inside the curve to keep gases from flowing back into the home.

  • Biofilm buildup in the sink drains

Biofilm can also build up inside the sink drain. Infrequent use of the sink will also result in sewer-like odors.

  • From the toilet

The worst kinds of sewer gas odors come from the toilet because toilets are directly connected to the septic tank. Your toilet will leak sewer gas if the wax ring is damaged. Toilets will also leak sewer gas if the toilet base is cracked.

  • Cracked or clogged sewer line

Improper maintenance can result in broken or cracked sewer lines. Cracked, clogged, or worn sewer pipes will let sewer gases leak into the home. Tree roots can also damage sewer lines, causing sewer gas leaks.

  • Missing clean-out plugs

Clean-out valves provide access to the main sewer line. They make it easy to remove clogs and snake out the line. A broken or missing clean-out plug will let sewer gases travel into the home.

  • Dirty or damaged roof vents

If roofing vent pipes are corroded or dirty, they could trap odors instead of letting them exit the home as they are supposed to.

  • Roof vent pipes

Roof vent pipes let gases exit your home through your roof, instead of spreading inside the house. When roofing vent pipes are not properly cleaned or are corroded, gases will be trapped in the home instead of venting out.

sewer-odor-locators

HOW TO FIND THE SOURCE OF SEWER ODORS IN THE HOME

Finding the source of sewer gas odors in the home is hard because drainpipes are not pressurized like water pipes. If your water pipe is leaking, it is easy to find the leak because you can usually see water spraying from the hole. But sewer gas leaks from the drainpipes are different.

Given that there are so many ways that sewer gas can enter the home, you need an odor detection test, or smoke test, to pinpoint the source of a sewer gas leak. Odor detector tests use colored non-toxic smoke, pushed into the drain system, to locate the sources of sewer gas leaks.

Here is how the process works:

  • Pour water into all the traps in the home to make sure they are not dry, especially traps that are not used regularly.
  • Partially restrict the stack vents on the roof to create pressure (optional).
  • A smoke blower is plugged into a cleanout plug or any other access point to the sewer line. The connection must be airtight to keep the smoke from escaping.
  • The blower is powered up and allowed to run for a minute to create a draught in the system.
  • A smoke candle is positioned in front of the blower and lit. Smoke from the candle is pulled in by the blower and pushed into the drain system
  • Because the smoke is trapped inside the drain system, the only way it can get out is if there are leaks in the system.
  • Once the smoke blower is running, walk through the home to see if smoke is escaping from any points.
  • You can then fix the detected problems.
Labels:
Location: Brookfield, IL, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance of Maintaining your Restaurant or Bar's Plumbing

These days, restaurants and bars rely heavily on their plumbing systems, because it represents an environment where the waste water supply and debris drainage are of utmost importance. There are quite a few plumbing services for bars and restaurants that are required for these certain businesses. There are different types of bars and restaurants each unique with their own specific plumbing specifications. The biggest part of maintaining top notch performance and cleanliness standards for your restaurant or pubs pipes include a regular drain cleaning and maintenance. Before conducting pipe cleaning and maintenance for your bar or restaurant, is it critical to understand why it is necessary. I am sure you do not want to have to close down an area of the restaurant or bar during a peak time in which you are crowded and having guests leave your establishment. How about a toilet or urinal in your restroom that over flows? Not only is it unsanitary, but it will cost you money. Money that is
3 comments
Read more

8 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER PUT DOWN THE DRAIN

  In general, it’s safe to say that  plumbing and drainage problems can be avoided by taking care of your plumbing . However, this involves more than just occasional maintenance. In addition, plumbing issues are  among the costliest when it comes to house maintenance . And, of course, you don’t realize just how much you rely on running water until you don’t have it. Now, what if we told you that some of the most common causes of plumbing issues are things that shouldn’t go down the drain? To help you avoid this, we have compiled a list of 8 things you should never put down the drain. Uncooked rice If you ever need to throw out uncooked rice, remember to toss it in the trash. Rice  absorbs water, expands , and clumps together, leading to a blockage in your pipes. This can further evolve into leaks and burst pipes and require professional  drain cleaning services  to sort out. If this problem is allowed to escalate, it will quickly develop into some of the  most expensive issues you coul
Post a Comment
Read more

Identifying a Catch Basin or Storm Basin

A catch basin contains a storage area within your drainage system that is used to accumulate debris that has settled at the bottom of the drain. This accumulation makes catch basin cleaning vital to prevent flooding on your property. Depending on the amount of debris accumulation inside of your catch basin, there are a couple of different cleaning methods that your plumber will take part in. These include cleaning the system with a rodder and/or with a pump truck. If your system isn't working correctly you will need Catch Basin Repair or Replacement .  A catch basin rodding will clean your drainage system with the use of a large drain cleaning machine that has sharp edges and a lot of power. These machines are so powerful that they can clear out the toughest of tree roots inside of your system. In most cases, a rodding will do the job when cleaning out your catch basin. This will prevent clogs and allow water to flow freely throughout the sewer system and keep it away from your ho
Post a Comment
Read more