Sewer Gas and What to Do If You Smell It
Sewer Gas – Chicago & Suburbs
If you smell sewer gas in your home, you shouldn’t ignore it. Though It is a fairly common problem in Chicago area homes, and more often than not has a very simple solution, it could also be a sign of a more serious issue.
What Causes the Sewer Gas Smell?
The smell is caused by a gas called hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) which can be dangerous even at low levels. It can affect both people and pets, and prolonged exposure to the gas can cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and sinus infections.
What Can I Do to Make the Smell Go Away?
Often, the smell is caused by something as simple as a dried-out trap in a floor drain, so the first thing you should do when you smell sewer gas is check any floor drains in the house to make sure that there is water visible at the bottom of the pipe.
That section of the pipe is called the trap, and it is designed to hold water and prevent gases and odors from traveling from the pipe into your home. If the trap is empty, pour a cup of water into the drain.
What If the Problem Persists?
If the problem continues, it could be a sign of a larger problem like a broken sewer or vent stack. At this point, you should contact The Scottish Plumber for a free assessment.
Our technicians are trained to track down the source of sewer gas and can often do so with just a visual (and nasal) inspection. But for the more difficult-to-track situations we use a process called a smoke test to safely locate the leak using non-toxic smoke.
How Do I Schedule an Appointment?
To schedule an appointment for a free assessment, give us a call at 888-451-6137, or click here.
