Getting Rid Of Them May Be Easier Than You Think
Do you avoid going into your basement because of nasty sewer smells? If so, you have a problem that needs to be taken care of right away. In addition to the unpleasantness of a basement that smells like a sewer, there are also potential health risks. Fortunately, in many instances, getting rid of sewer smells in the basement is a lot easier than you would probably expect. In fact, these odors are most often caused by one of four issues.
Need a Naples plumber to get rid of sewer smells in the basement? Trust BHS.
Common Causes Of Sewer Smells In The Basement
Dry Water Trap
In the vast majority of cases where sewer smells are seeping into the basement, the cause is simply a dry water trap. Without regular use, the water traps in drains can dry out. Check the drains under any sinks or laundry tubs in your basement. Also, inspect any floor drains you may have. If the trap is dry in any of these drains, sewer gases could be leaking into your basement. The good news is that in addition to being the most common problem, it is also the easiest to fix. Simply pour water into the drain to restore the water level in the trap. If the drain is not used frequently, adding a few tablespoons of cooking oil should keep it from drying out so quickly in the future.
It isn’t quite as common, but the water in the trap in a basement toilet could evaporate as well, allowing sewer gases to enter your basement. If you think this may be the case, flushing the toilet a few times should solve the problem.
Wax Seal On Toilet Is Leaky
Every toilet has a wax seal between the base of the toilet and the toilet flange. If this seal is leaky, sewer gases can enter your home from underneath the toilet. Solving this problem requires removing the toilet and replacing the wax ring to form a good seal. If the toilet tends to rock, you also need to put plastic shims between the floor and the base of the toilet to prevent rocking that could damage the new ring. You should also add caulking around the joint between the floor and the toilet to ensure a tight seal.
Missing Cleanout Plug
Take a close look at any floor drains in your basement to see if there is a cleanout plug. If there isn’t, sewer gases could be bypassing the water trap and seeping directly into your home. To check for a cleanout plug, remove the grate from the drain opening. There should be a plug inside the drain bowl. If there isn’t, head to the hardware store to pick up a replacement.
Major Plumbing Problems
Sewer smells in the basement are usually caused by fairly minor issues, but once in a while, a more major plumbing problem is to blame. Cracked or broken sewer lines can cause foul odors as well as loose connections or damaged lines hiding behind walls. If you suspect that there is a major plumbing problem causing the unpleasant smells in your basement, don’t hesitate to call a plumbing professional for assistance.
Get Rid Of Sewer Smells In The Basement Once And For All With Help From Best Home Services
The expert plumbers at BHS can help you get rid of sewer smells in the basement no matter what the cause may be. We offer Naples sewer inspection to locate the exact source of the problem and fix it right away. No matter when you need Naples plumber, give BHS a call at (239) 946-4426 .
