Sewer smells in your house are both distressing and unpleasant, and they can come from various underlying issues. When your house smells like sewage, whether in the bathroom, kitchen, or basement, understanding the potential causes help you take the appropriate action. Read on to explore these common causes and to learn when to call a professional at Ricky Heath.
Common Causes of Sewer Smell in the House
Sewer smells in or around your home stem from decaying waste or bacteria in your plumbing system. As these materials decay, they release gases consisting of hydrogen sulfide, methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and other odorous compounds — specifically, hydrogen sulfide is largely responsible for the signature unpleasant sewage smell. Left unaddressed, these unpleasant odors may also cause headaches, nausea, drowsiness, and other symptoms.
If these smells don’t resolve despite cleaning efforts, they’re likely due to problems with your plumbing and sewage system.
1. Dry P-trap or S-trap
P-traps, or S-traps in older homes, are U-shaped pipes commonly found under toilets, sinks, floor drains, and other plumbing equipment. Normally, P-traps trap and hold water to prevent sewer gases from rising into your home through the drain.
If you don’t use a drain frequently, the P-trap may dry out and allow gases to pass into your home, causing sewage smells in your house that come and go. If your P-trap emits unpleasant odors despite frequent use, it may have a leak preventing it from holding water.
2. Clogged or blocked sewer line
Clogs and blockages prevent proper drainage. Blockages can cause debris in your plumbing system to continue accumulating, resulting in more severe blockages and further decay. In turn, these decomposing materials release gases into your home. In some cases, clogs may cause sewage backups, which are equally as messy as they are odorous.
3. Broken sewer line
Cracked or broken sewer lines allow raw sewage to leak out, causing foul smells either in the surrounding ground or in your home. Cracks, breaks, and bursts can stem from a variety of issues, such as:
- Old or deteriorated pipes
- Corrosion and rust
- Erosion, shifting soil, and settling
- Water pressure problems
- Freezing and thawing
- Tree root invasion
- Poor installation
- Physical impact
4. Vent pipe problems
Blockages and breaks may also affect your plumbing system’s ventilation. Vent pipes direct sewer gases outside of your home and help regulate proper drain pressure. Blocked or broken air vents can’t properly release gases from your home and cause sewer gases to seep into your home. Weather damage, improper installation, debris, animals, corrosion, and other factors are common causes of vent pipe problems.
Sewer Smell in the Kitchen
Kitchens are a common source of unpleasant smells, often from sinks as well as various appliances.
Clogged sink drains
Kitchen sinks are prone to clogs from food scraps, which can lead to blockages and decaying debris. For instance, cooking oils and grease are liquid when they’re poured down the sink, but they harden as they cool, coating and narrowing the pipe. Pasta, potatoes, and other starches continuously expand when exposed to water, creating a paste that blocks pipes and slows drainage.
To keep your kitchen sink from clogging, scrape food scraps into the compost before washing. Set hot oils aside in a can until they’re cool enough to be disposed of. Running hot water or pouring a combination of baking soda and vinegar into your drains weekly can help keep your sink drains clean.
Garbage disposal
Garbage disposals harbor food scraps if not regularly cleaned and serviced. Combined with stagnant water, this is an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive and create unpleasant smells.
Dishwasher drainage issues
Numerous issues prevent dishwashers from draining properly, which allows food particles to accumulate and decay. Common causes of poor drainage include:
- Kinked or clogged drain hose
- Clogged air gap
- Dirty filter and trap
Sewer Smell in the Bathroom
Bathrooms are often associated with sewage smells and related concerns.
Toilet leaks
Cracked and leaking toilets allow wastewater to escape, leading to sewer smells. Even barely perceptible cracks cause slow leaks that lower water levels and allow sewer gas to seep in.
Broken toilet seal
Located at the toilet’s base, the wax ring creates an airtight seal and prevents water and sewer gas from seeping out. Besides sewage odors, pooling water, wobbly toilets, and damaged flooring suggest a broken seal.
Improperly installed or cut vent pipe
Plumbing vent pipes are typically located near the bathroom. If they’re damaged, cut off, or improperly installed, they may release gases into the bathroom.
Shower or bathtub drain issues
Unpleasant smells from showers and bathtubs are usually due to clogs or P-trap problems. Between hair, shampoo, soap, and other materials, shower drains develop a layer of biofilm, which sticks to the pipes and emits odors. Gentle cleaning and drain catches help prevent accumulation in shower drains.
Sewer line blockages
Even if they’re deep in your plumbing system, blockages in the central lines can cause gases to waft back up to your home and bathroom.
Sewage Odor in the Basement
Sewage odors from the basement are often concerning since they’re associated with breaks or clogs in the main sewer lines.
Floor drain problems
Basement floor drains often connect directly to your home’s central sewage line. If the P-trap is dry, it may create strong odors in the basement.
Sewer line backups
As often the closest drain to your sewage lines, basement drains are more likely to experience backups than others.
Sump pump malfunctions
Malfunctioning sump pumps may have stagnant water that develops bacteria and smells over time. Likewise, dry sump pumps may allow gases to escape.
In other cases, smells from the sump pump may indicate broken lines and leaks in the ground. Since sump pumps collect excess groundwater, sewage that’s leaked into the ground may likewise infiltrate the sump pump.
Sewer Smell in the Laundry Room
Laundry rooms are prone to unpleasant smells from the washing machine or floor drains. Whether due to clogs or malfunctions, washing machines can also collect stagnant water and odors.
Sewer Smell in the Yard
Sewer smells in the yard are just as concerning as those in your home — in some cases, these smells precipitate or are linked with sewage smells in the house. Sources of sewer smells in the yard include:
- Broken sewer lines
- Tree root invasion
- Overflowing septic tank
- Missing cleanout plug
When to Consider Sewer Line Replacement
Sewer lines have long lifespans but eventually require replacement. Repair is cost-effective and efficient in many circumstances where problems are localized or minor issues. Various repair and maintenance efforts can address these concerns, including:
- Augering
- Hydro jetting
- Regular septic tank pumping
- Leak detection and repair
In other instances, repair isn’t possible or is less effective than sewer line replacement, such as extensive or widespread damage, old or delicate pipes, and severe tree root invasion.
Call Ricky Heath for Sewer Line Replacement and Repair
Serving Macon, Georgia, Ricky Heath is the go-to provider for expert plumbing services. For sewer smells, backups, and other concerns, rely on our team — contact us or schedule a service for sewer line replacement online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can broken sewer lines cause health problems?
Broken sewer lines can emit harmful gases and contaminate water sources, which can cause health problems associated with raw sewage exposure.
How can I tell if my sewer line is clogged?
Slow drains and frequent backups are common signs of sewer line clogs, especially if they affect multiple fixtures.
