How To Get Rid Of Sewer Gas Smell In Your Home

Need to Get Rid Of Sewer Gas Smell In Your Home? Check out this guide will help you identify the source of the odor and how to eliminate it.

Are you struggling with a sewer gas smell in your home? It can be incredibly frustrating and unpleasant, but the good news is that there are several steps you can take to get rid of it. 

This blog post is a complete guide on how to get rid of the sewer gas smell from your home.

You’ll find tips on finding the source, what you can do to eliminate the foul smell, and other preventative measures to help prevent the odor from returning. 

But first and foremost, is this smell in your home something you should be concerned about? 

What Is Sewer Gas Smell? 

Hydrogen sulfide, also known as sewer gas, is created as part of the breakdown of sewer waste. And while sewer gas is not immediately toxic (if dealt with immediately), it can produce unpleasant odors in your home. Most people describe the smell as a rotten egg smell or a sulfur smell. 

Either way, having a sewage gas smell in your home is unpleasant. Having said that, it’s important to note that prolonged exposure to sewer gas can harm your health, leading to nausea, headaches, eye irritation, and respiratory depression. So it’s essential to get rid of the smell as soon as you notice it in your home to eliminate changes in any health problems. 

Will The Unpleasant Smell Go Away On Its Own?

Unfortunately, the smell you’re experiencing will not go away on its own. You will need to be able to properly diagnose and take action to eliminate this problem from your home once you start to notice it. 

To remove the sewer gas smell, you must first identify what is causing it and then take steps to fix it.

What Causes Sewer Gas Smell In The House?

There are a few common reasons for a sewer gas smell in the home. Here is what you should be on the lookout for. 

Clogged Drain

If left untreated, clogged drains can be a common reason for the foul sewer smell currently taking over your home. You can get clogged drains from a build of up dirt, grease, food particles, hair, etc. 

In addition to an unpleasant odor, there will be other signs you can look out for to indicate if this is the problem. For example, the water may be slower to drain. You might also see or hear bubbling in the drain while water runs through it.

Blocked Pipes

Severe blockages in the pipes of your sewer system can also produce a foul smell in your home. While many different things can cause this, such as significant blockages from grease, organic matter, diapers, and so on, another common reason for a blocked sewer line is tree roots that have grown into your home’s main sewer pipe. 

To identify if this is the cause of your sewer gas smell, you can do a couple of things. 

Firstly, if you suspect the blockage is in a pipe inside your home, you can try running water to see if you notice any signs of slow drainage, bubbling, etc.

If you think the blockage might be in the sewer pipe running out to your city’s main sewer line or your septic tank, look around outside for any areas of pooling water. This can be an indication of a blockage in the pipe underground. 

Cracked Pipes

Cracked pipes can be a cause of sewer gas smell in the home. If you have any old, corroded pipes in your home, they may be cracked, allowing sewer gases to escape.

You may need a professional plumber to confirm if this is the cause of the smell in your home. 

Smelly Drains

Every drain in your home will have a trap that is designed to help prevent sewer gases from entering your home. Unfortunately, these traps can become blocked or dried out, allowing the smell to enter your home. 

This problem will be easier to diagnose as you can smell where it’s coming from. Plus, if you have any drains that don’t get used often, you can also check these, as they can often be the source of the smell.

Cracked or Damaged P-Trap

If the smell is coming from your drain trap, but it’s not due to it being dry, then you should inspect it to see if it is damaged or cracked. 

To locate the p-trap under your drain, look for a curved section of pipe underneath it. This is the p-trap and should look like an “S,” a “U,” or a “J.” If these pipes are cracked, the sewer gas could release through and into your home.

If you can’t see any signs of damage, consider replacing the trap, as an old one may not work correctly anymore. 

Poor Ventilation

Poor ventilation in your home can be a cause of sewer gas smell. If there is not enough air circulation in your home, the odor of the sewage gases will linger and become more apparent. 

You may need to check your ventilation system to ensure it is up to date and provides enough airflow throughout your home. 

How To Get Rid Of Sewer Odor From Your Home

Once you have identified what is causing the sewer gas odor in your home, you can take action to get rid of it. 

Here are some steps you can take to get rid of the smell in your home:

Unclog Your Drain Pipe

If your drain pipes are blocked, you must unclog them. How you do this will highly depend on the source of the blockage. 

If the issue is due to a clog of dirt, debris, or grease, you can use a homemade cleaner or plunger to remove it. If the blockage is too far down your drain lines to remedy yourself, you may need to call in a professional plumber, as they will have the right tools to do the job. 

If the issue for the blockage is something more severe, like tree roots, then it is highly recommended to call a professional plumber. They have the equipment needed to go down the line, cut out the roots, and inspect the line for any other damage. 

Pour Water Down The Drains

If your home smells due to a dry trap, simply pouring hot water down the drain should do the trick. Doing this will help seal the trap and prevent more sewer gases from entering your home. 

To do this effectively, ensure you do this with every drain line, including your floor drain, typically found in a laundry room, sink drains, shower drains, garbage disposal, etc.

If you want to take preventative measures from this smell building up in your home again, it’s recommended that you do this every few months. 

Replace Dry Traps

If the trap is the issue but not due to a lack of water, it may need to be replaced. This is a common problem as the seals on the traps can wear over time, making them ineffective. 

To do this, unscrew the old one from its position and replace it with another one-piece rubber trap that has a water sealant. This will help to prevent any more sewer gases from entering your home. 

Replace Cracked or Corroded Pipes

If the issue in your home is due to cracked or corroded pipes, you’ll need to have them replaced by a professional plumber. 

While this will be a significant undertaking, it will help stop sewer gases from entering your home and eliminate any unpleasant odors. It can also help prevent future issues, such as water leakage from the pipes. 

Ventilate Your Home

If poor ventilation is the cause of your sewer gas smell, consider hiring an HVAC technician to inspect your system and ensure it provides adequate air circulation throughout your home. Doing this can help to terminate any lingering odors and prevent them from building up in your home. 

The repair may be as simple as installing a new vent pipe in your home or require a more elaborate job of reventilating your entire house. But, an HVAC technician can tell you the best course of action. 

Cleaning Products That Will Eliminate A Foul Odor In Your Home

It would be best if you took measures to permanently eliminate the source of these odors, as they can harm your health after prolonged exposure. 

However, if you’ve already made the repair and want to reduce the smells in your home, then a few cleaning products can help. 

Vinegar is one of the most popular natural cleaners and can help to reduce the smell of sewer gas in your home. All you need to do is mix a cup of vinegar with two cups of water in a spray bottle and spray it around the affected area. 

Other products include activated charcoal, baking soda, and air fresheners specifically designed to eliminate odors. 

Will A Home Warranty Cover Any Of The Costs To Eliminate Sewer Gas Smells?

The answer to this question highly depends on the source of your sewer gas smell. For example, at Home Membership, our home warranty may re-pipe any cracked areas in your plumbing system, but it doesn’t cover other replacements, like the traps. 

You will need to know what is covered under your home warranty to tell if the cost to eliminate sewer gas smells can be covered. 

You can refer to this brochure for a detailed list of what your home warranty plan covers with Home Membership. 

We hope this guide has been helpful in understanding how to get rid of any sewer gas smells you might be experiencing in your home. 

If you have any questions, be sure to call your local plumbing service provider. They will be able to provide you with more information and help you find the best solution for your needs.