At some point in time, you have probably had an odor in your bathroom, and have been unable to determine its point of origin. You may have tried many things to rid your bathroom of the smell from using a spray to mask it, or even going on a cleaning rampage. You may be wondering what that smell is and if it is, or can be dangerous. The short answer is in large quantities the methane gas, which is what the sewer gas smell is, and can be hazardous to your health. There are a few reasons that you could be experiencing the unpleasant smell, but most of the time it is an easy fix, and most of the time inexpensive. The sewer pipes and sewer system isn’t as complicated as you might think. They will all serve a function from water coming in, to water running out, and even some to allow gases to escape from the system that vents outside your home. One of the most important aspects of your sewage system is the P-trap. This U-shaped pipe that is situated commonly under the sink is what keeps the horrible smell from entering your home. It works by leaving a small amount of water in the pipe and causes the gases to be redirected out to the pipe that vented out the roof.
By far one of the most common reasons you could be experiencing the smell is the P trap has gone dry. It occurs when you haven’t used water in a restroom in a while, most commonly from a guest bathroom. The upside to this problem, regularly is the fix is as simple as turning on the bathroom sink and letting the p trap fill up again. If you are finding that the smell is coming from a bathroom that sees regular use, there could be a potential problem at the P trap, and it doesn’t take a massive leak to allow those gases to enter your home.
Another possible suspect could be the sewer drain pipe becomes clogged. If this happens, it isn’t dangerous, but the smell can be somewhat unpleasant. It is an easy fix, and you will only need to unclog the drain to rid yourself of the smell. But for larger issues, those will need a professional to hunt down and correct.
How can you prevent this from happening again?
Preventing your home from smelling like a dumpster on a hot day is pretty simple to do. The best way to prevent is to monitor your systems, and if they aren’t being used, periodically run water in the sink, tub, and toilet. If after you have inspected these possible problem areas, and have found no leaks or clogs, it is time to request in an expert plumber, because you might have a crack or worn/broken seal somewhere in the system either with the vent or somewhere down the sewer line.