Sewer Gas | River Forest, IL
Find Source of Sewer Gas.
Smell sewer gas in your River Forest home? Let us help. Call 888-451-6137 or fill out the easy appointment form above to schedule a free assessment.
Our friendly technicians are trained to quickly locate and eliminate sources of the foul-smelling gas so that you can breathe easy again.
Is Sewer Gas Dangerous?
It can be. Prolonged exposure, even at low levels, can cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and sinus infections. If the smell is persistent, don’t ignore it. The source should be found and repaired as quickly as possible.
First Things First: Check Your Floor Drain.
Often, the source of the sewer gas is a dry trap in a floor drain. The first thing you should do when you smell it is check any floor drains in the house to make sure that there is water visible at the bottom of the pipe.
That part of the pipe is called the trap, and it is designed to hold water and prevent gasses from backing up from the sewer and into your home. If the trap is dry, pour a cup of water into it.
What If The Smell Doesn’t Go Away?
If the problem persists, it could be a sign of a cracked or broken pipe or vent stack. At this point you should contact us for a free assessment.
Our technicians will often find the source of sewer gas with a visual (and nasal) inspection, but for the more difficult-to-find sources, we use a process called a smoke test to safely locate the leak with non-toxic smoke.
What Is A Smoke Test?
A special smoke machine forces smoke-filled air into your drain system. The smoke fills the pipes and begins to escape through problem areas, such as a separated branch line or a broken vent stack. The escaping smoke allows for easy detection.
Is Smoke Testing Safe?
Yes. The smoke used in our smoke testing process is perfectly safe. It is odorless, non-staining and non-toxic. In fact, it has even been approved for use in schools.
How To Schedule An Appointment.
To find and eliminate sources of sewer gas, River Forest homeowners have depended on The Scottish Plumber for years. In fact, it’s our specialty.
To schedule a free assessment, call 888-451-6137 or fill out the easy appointment form at the top of this page. We’ll take it from there.
