Sewer Odor Causes

Sewer odor has a variety of causes, depending on whether the home has a septic system or is connected to the city's waste management system. It can be embarrassing to have this smell inside or outside the home. Most importantly, it can be a health hazard to the homeowner or the neighborhood, so diagnosing the problem is a priority.

Water Traps

A home that is connected to the city sewage system can have odors coming from water traps in the tub drains, toilets or even the laundry tub. These areas can have a sewer odor from lack of use. Water settles under the areas and then dries up. Sewer gas then makes its way up to the water trap and settles there, causing an odor. A simple cure for this is the run water through the unused water trap to restore what has evaporated. Placing a teaspoon of vegetable oil in the drain will make an oil seal and prevent the unused drain from evaporating as fast as it did the first time.

Toilet Wax Rings

A home with a septic system can have the same problems as above but also have additional problems that can be easily corrected before calling in an expert. A bad wax ring could cause sewer odor to seep into the home. This is primarily caused by a rocking toilet. The homeowner will have to replace the wax ring by removing the toilet, scrapping away the old wax ring. If the toilet continues to rock, then shims can be placed under the toilet to make it level, then caulk around the base to prevent any gaps that may appear.

Cracked or Broken Sewage Line

City sewage lines and septic lines can sometimes break because of the weather or digging in the area. This is a more serious problem to correct. The sewage is actually being pumped into the yard instead of into the city lines or septic system. Water will gather around the leak, so this area of lawn will be saturated. The homeowner will have to dig up the area and find the leak. Once the leak has been found, it can be spliced to make the repair. If there is no saturation found, then the homeowner will have to call the city or a plumber to determine the leak.

Septic Overflow

Septic systems set outside the home can overflow because of use. Sewage will saturate around the septic system from years of use, causing an odor. The homeowner will have to determine where the septic system is by running a rod through the saturated area until it hits the top of the septic system. Dig down to the top of the tank and then outward until the top can be fully exposed. The top of the septic system is very heavy but comes off easily. Once the top is removed, the homeowner can determine if the septic system needs to be pumped out. If this is the case, septic tank service providers are available for the task.

References

• ASTM: Standard Practice Manual

Resources

• Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems