If you think you have a sewage gas smell in your basement, it’s important to know what you’re dealing with.
Sewer gas is a potentially dangerous odor, so it’s essential to get it checked out. There are a few ways to do this, including hiring a plumber to do a drain pressure test or sending a remote camera through your drains.
Removing a Sewer Smell from a Basement
Dehumidifiers
Firstly, you should determine what is causing the odor in your basement. If it is mold, sewer gas, or some other source, you should get it treated by a professional. Once this is done, you can focus on removing the odor and enjoying your basement once more.
Sewer gas is a foul smell that comes from the main sewer line. It is a dangerous gas containing a rotten egg odor. It is composed of a range of chemical compounds, including ammonia and carbon monoxide, and can be harmful to your health.
If the smell is caused by mold, it is likely that you have some type of leak. While you can treat small areas of mold with a water and bleach mixture, a larger area will most likely need to be treated by a professional.
Dehumidifiers can help keep key areas of your home dry and mold-free. A dehumidifier can also help improve the air quality in your basement by reducing the humidity.
They are relatively inexpensive and can be easily installed. And if you’re using one to eliminate sewer gas smell in basement, you’re going to have to spend some money on it and get a decent one.
If the odor is mainly caused by a wood based substance, sandpaper and a HEPA filter vacuum can help you get rid of the musty odor and dampness.
P-Trap
A broken or damaged P-trap can be the culprit, and a dirty or cracked floor drain can add to the problem.
You can try to remedy the problem yourself by filling the P-trap with water. Depending on which sinks and drains are affected by the odor, you can use a solution that contains bleach to help you get rid of the odor.
To be safe, make sure you wear a face mask while searching for the odor. You may encounter spiders and cobwebs, so you need to have an effective way to remove them. While you may not need all of the supplies, you should make sure to wear protective gear, as you may be working in the presence of hazardous gases. Before beginning your search, make sure to check all of your plumbing fixtures for leaks or clogs.
A broken P-trap may be a likely source of the sewer gas smell. This problem can affect the whole house, as well as the bathroom.
Luckily, the basement is designed with a floor drain that connects to a sewer line. This drain channels excess water from the floor to the sewer line. Every drain line connected to the sewer system in your house must have a drain trap.
If a P-trap is not installed properly, the sewer gas smell may continue to persist. If that is the case you should consider replacing it.
Fixing a Broken Sewer Line
Sewage gas can cause serious health problems, including headaches and constant infections. Even worse, sewer gas can make your basement smell rotten.
To fix the problem, you should inspect the pipe for cracks and leaks.
This is a job best left to a plumber, as doing it yourself can make the problem worse. Once you have identified the problem, the plumber will use a sewer camera to check for any leaks or breaks in your line. Once he or she detects the problem, you can either make the necessary repairs or get the plumber to help you.
There are a few simple steps you can take to fix a broken sewer line and get rid of sewer gas smell in basement.
Pipe Lining
You can also try a pipe lining method. Pipe lining involves inserting an inflatable tube covered with epoxy into the damaged sewer pipe. The tube is then inflated to apply pressure on the existing sewer line. After the epoxy hardens, the tube can be removed and the damage repaired. The procedure is quick and easy.
Repair the Floor Drain
Another solution to a sewer gas smell in basement is to repair the floor drain. The floor drain is fitted with a cleanout plug to prevent the sewer gas from leaking into your basement. A clogged floor drain is often the culprit. Fortunately, a cleanout plug can be purchased at any hardware store.
It’s recommended that you contact a plumber immediately if the smell persists.
Improving Basement Ventilation
If you do have smells remaining in your basement you should improve the ventilation. Even if the issues causing a sewer smell are fixed, improper ventilation makes the basement a catch all for any odor.
See if you can install a window, an exhaust fan or extra vents to improve your basement ventilation.