How Do I Eliminate Sewer Odor in My House?
This is the most frequently asked question the Twins receive! Sewer odors can be very toxic, frustrating and expensive if you don’t have the right methods or experts to find these nasty odors. Twin Home Experts has detected and solved more than 800 sewer smells in properties where the owners have given thousands of dollars to others who have not been able to fix the problem. We have even traveled to other states to help fed-up homeowners get to the bottom of this issue.
Why Does My House Smell Like Sewer Gas?
The Twins share the top 5 overall reasons you’re getting that nasty smell in your home. Here are things to check when looking for the source of the odor:
- Check the p-trap under your tub or shower to make sure it’s filled with water.
- Check your venting systems for cracks or holes.
- Inspect pipes underneath the slab or underneath your home for breakage.
- Look for a leaching wax seal around the base of your toilets.
- Make sure your septic tank is drained or properly cleaned out.
We are experts at detecting sewer odors in every part of the home. Let’s look at the most prominent areas affected and what you can do about it.
Sewer Gas Smell in the Bathroom
Sewer gas smell in a bathroom is the most common, so let’s get right to helping you with a few tips to find the sewer smell source:
TWIN TIP #1
Check toilet wax seal. If you want to confirm, you can seal around the base of the toilet with plumber’s putty, provided your toilet is mounted on tile, carpet and wood floors. Note that plumber’s putty will leave a stain.TWIN TIP #2
Check shower or tub drain p-trap. This is critical that the p-trap is holding water. Take a flash light and look down the bottom of the shower drain or tub drain. If you see water, then you have ruled this out as your problem.TWIN TIP #3
Check shower for biofilm. This is soap scum that builds up inside the drain. This causes a major odor. If it’s dirty, then get bleach or vinegar and scrub all that build up away. This will typically solve your shower drain sewer odor. If not, you may have to snake the drain to clean the inner walls to allow the sewer gases to flow properly.
TWIN TIP #4
Check under crawlspace. You may have a cracked sewer pipe that is leaking under your house. Here is a example of a crawl space with nasty sewage in Los Angeles:
Sewer Gas Smell in the Basement
Basements are the lowest elevation of your home that typically do not have ventilation and where most often your main sewer drain starts. Depending on your basement layout in relationship to your plumbing system as well as the direction of the way your home ventilates, this determines how to tackle a sewer smell in your basement area.
The first quick step would be to identify when the sewer smell occurs in your basement. Is it intermittent sewer smell? Or is the sewer smell present at all times? If the sewer odor in your basement is present all the time, this should be indicative of a broken drain/vent or confirmation that you have sewage leak under your crawlspace. If it’s intermittent sewer smell, then you will have to hire a professional with the proper sewer cameras and smoke machines to pinpoint the cause. You can go above to the bathrooms to verify if the toilet, shower or sink may be causing the odor.
What Does Sewer Gas Smell Like?
How Much Does It Cost to Find a Sewer Odor in My House?
This all depends on so many factors. We have done sewer odor detection for as low as $750 to $10,000. This includes all the state-of-the-art UV nontoxic smoke and camera equipment…and a WHOLE LOT of plumbing experience! The following are some factors that dictate the price:
- Accessibility. How easy or difficult is it to access the affected areas?
- Location of odor. Is it outside sewer odor when it rains?
- Number of areas affected by odor: Is the sewer odor in your whole house? Is it just in one area? Attic? Crawlspace? Your home’s slab foundation?
- Do you guarantee you will find my sewer odor? If not, do you still charge?
- Do you have the nontoxic smoke machine?
- Do you have sewer camera and location equipment?
- Can you do the repair and retest after?
If the answer is YES to all of these, then you have the right expert in your home.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair the Source of Sewer Odor?
Costs can vary. The repairs can be as high as $8600 to a low of $225. Factors include:
- Location of the breach
- Size of pipes and plumbing affected
- Accessibility (Is it inside the property or outside, under concrete, etc.?)
Here is a video about a vent that costs less than $50 that may solve your issue.
Hire the Experts to Detect & Remove Sewer Odor from Your Home
We hope this offered some guidance and tips to sewer odor issues in your home. When dealing with a sewer odor in your property, find an expert that has the abilities and tools to pinpoint the exact location and GUARANTEE it or you don’t have to pay.
