Sewer Smell ???

jholmes · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Eagan, MN

I came home today to a less than pleasant surprise! I walked down to my basement and it smelled like a sewer. It has never smelled like this before. Sometimes it has smelled pungent, but this is a very foul smell. I don't see anything that would be representative of a source, and it is not the "rotten egg" smell of natural gas.

Does anyone have any ideas?

sf340dvr · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 57 Location: Appleton, WI

It's probably a empty drain trap! Go to every drain in your basement poor some water in it (floor or washer drains), run the water (sinks), or flush any toilets.

The water has probably evaporated out of one of the p-traps in your basement because these drains don't get much use, and this is allowing sewer gas to escape into your home.

340

jholmes · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Eagan, MN

I'll try this out, and let you know how it works!!!

BTW, what is a p-trap? Question

sf340dvr · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 57 Location: Appleton, WI

A p-trap is drain line that is shaped like a "P", and is used to trap sewer gases from getting in, and valuables, such as a ring, form getting out!

Here's a little picture that explains it!

jholmes · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Eagan, MN

OK now I see the P in the p-trap!

Thanks!

Newhomeowner09 · Joined: 24 Nov 2010 Posts: 5

Did this solve the problem in your case? I know this has worked for me in the past at my workplace. I worked construction and there was a shower that never got used. It was for emergency use. However, it would start to stink and a little water always helped!

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