Sewer Gas Smell

Sewer gas smell, is created when solid waste decomposes; that includes your daily cooking waste as well. It's important that you are aware of the dangerous consequences it has to your health. It's not recommended to be ignored as a constant accompaniment to daily house hold smells. The source must be checked, however mild the odor, as its bound to get stronger when more of the sewer gas spreads into the house.

All the fresh flowers and room fresheners would do you no good if there is sewer gas smell in the house. The smell should be an immediate indication that there is a leak somewhere and you should try to search for its source.

Contents of the Sewer Gas

The gas contains toxic components such as Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S), Methane (CH₄) and Ammonia (NH₃).

• Hydrogen Sulfide and Methane gas are explosive in nature and if you detect strong traces of Sewer gas smell or rotten egg smell, you must immediately open all the windows and do not touch any electric appliances; this is the first step towards fire safety.
• Both these gases, if inhaled over a prolonged period, can cause headaches, dehydration and even lead to death due to depletion of oxygen in the environment, also known as asphyxiation.
• Ammonia, if inhaled in high concentration, can cause burning of the eyes, nose and throat, dry coughs, headaches, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Excess of Sewer gas in the basement or in the toilets acts as a conducive breeding ground for bacterial growth, leading to infections that affect the sinus and respiratory system. The air within the house will become humid which will cause mold spores to be present in the sewer gas and in the furnace; in the basement.

What's that Stinking?
Let's find out why our Sewer can't stop stinking.

Leaking Pipes
There may be cracks in your toilet pipes, fuel gas pipes, the sink, the dish washer, or even in the furnace which may be causing sewer gas smell in the basement. Get them regularly checked for damage due to rust, humidity or simply over usage. Replace leaky pipes and fix a running toilet as often as possible and avoid over repair by re-tapping and sticking the affected areas.

Choked!
Your pipes need air to breathe as well, keep them clean by pouring hot water into the drains regularly. This will help dissolve most of the solid substances stuck in their passage. It would do good to know more about how to unclog a drain. When it comes to over head pipes that lay forgotten on the roof, it's important that you have them fitted with window screens, vent caps and a strong clamp to hold them in place. These will block almost all sorts of muck from getting collected inside the vent pipes. This helps because the sewer gas will get ventilation which will prevent it from spreading into the house.

Drain Drain Go Away!
Often, the main cause of sewer gas smell is due to damaged drain caps, that allow the gas to leak. Tape is used to cap drains which gives them a low shelf life, as they wither off when they dry. These caps must be replaced quarterly and the material of the caps must be sturdy and of good quality so as to avoid regular fixing and also to minimize high sewer line replacement cost.

Use Me
Another major culprit for the sewer gas smell in the bathroom could be the not often used or unused toilets, showers, sinks, bathtubs. This occurs due to the fall in the minimal required level of water and gas in the pipes. When this level falls, the sewer gas smell spreads into the house. Thus, it's advisable to use and clean your bathrooms at least once in a week to maintain the water level.

If all else fails, professional plumbing will surly help remove the sewer gas smell. A good smelling home is a happy home.