One of the last things you want in your home is a sewer gas smell, as it can put a damper on your day.
Not only is it incredibly unpleasant, but it can also be dangerous to your health, even at low levels. Sewer gas, also known as hydrogen sulfide, can cause health issues like headaches, bronchitis, irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, poor memory, and more. Candles and air fresheners only mask the problem; instead, it’s important to get rid of the odor for good.
Continue reading to learn more.
5 Ways to Remove the Sewer Gas Smell From Your Home
- Check the Wax Seal — At the time of installation, a wax ring was placed beneath your toilet to seal the drain and prevent leaks. If this seal is damaged, sewer gasses can seep through and produce unpleasant smells. If the damaged seal is the culprit, replacing the wax ring should fix this issue.
- Clean Your Sinks’ Overflow Drain — As the name suggests, a sink overflow helps prevent sinks from overflowing. While helpful, these drains can also be the source of nasty sewer gas smells. This part of sinks is typically overlooked when being cleaned and is prone to accumulate soap scum, hair, and bacteria — all of which can produce repulsive odors. To clean your overflow drain, use a small bottle brush and all-purpose cleaner with bleach. Simply scrub, rinse, and repeat if necessary.
- Scrub Your Shower and Tub Drains — Similar to your sinks’ overflow, the drains in your showers and bathtubs are the perfect place for foul-smelling bacteria to grow. Fortunately, cleaning these drains is relatively easy — all you need is some elbow grease and a little time.
- Re-Caulk the Toilet — Toilets that are not caulked to the floor can leak water and create a dreadful odor. Not only will caulking your toilet prevent stinky smells from entering your home, but it will also keep your toilet securely in place. Thankfully, this task is simple enough for the average homeowner and does not require a professional to do the job.
- Run Water in Rarely Used Drains — The rarely used bathrooms in your home, such as your guest bathroom, could be the source of sewer gas smells thanks to their P-traps. The P-trap in your plumbing is there to prevent clogs by trapping debris. They are usually full of water, but when sinks are rarely used, the water can evaporate and allow sewer gasses to escape. Avoid this issue by running water in your rarely-used bathrooms a couple of times a month to ensure the P-trap is full of water.
Contact Restoremasters Today
If there’s a sewer gas smell in your home, it’s important to address it right away. If the odor persists, it could indicate a larger problem, such as a sewer backup.
When disaster strikes and your property experiences a sewer backup, contact the skilled professionals at Restoremasters. With over 20 years of experience, our trusted team of technicians helps families and businesses along the Wasatch Front, from South Jordan down to Orem, with their emergency and non-emergency disaster needs. Whether it be fire, smoke, mold, flood, sewer backups, and more, we can handle the job and get your property back to its former condition fast. Contact Restoremasters today!
