Why Does My House Smell Like Sewage? Causes and Fixes
Table of Contents
The Danger of Sewer Gas
Sewer gas contains hydrogen sulfide, which not only smells like rotten eggs but can be toxic in high concentrations. If your home smells like sewage, you need to find the source.
Dry P-Traps
The most common cause is a dried-out P-trap. The curved pipe under your sinks and showers holds a small amount of water to block sewer gases from rising up. If a guest bathroom isn't used often, the water evaporates. The fix? Just run the water for a minute.
Broken Wax Rings
If the smell is strongest near a toilet, the wax ring sealing the toilet to the floor flange may have failed. This allows gases (and eventually water) to leak out around the base.
Cracked Vent Pipes
Your plumbing system vents sewer gases out through the roof. If these vent pipes crack inside your walls or get clogged by debris on the roof, the gases will back up into your home. This requires professional smoke testing to locate.
Written by Reliance Plumbing Solutions
The local experts at Reliance Plumbing Solutions have been serving the Treasure Coast for over 20 years. We share our knowledge to help homeowners protect their property and save money.
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