Do you have an unpleasant odor coming from your basement? If that odor smells a lot like sewage waste, there could be a few different reasons you're experiencing it. Your basement is probably a place of productivity or relaxation, but when it has that nasty sewer gas odor, it's just a place you avoid. If you have a sewage smell in your basement, Scarborough plumbers from Mr. Rooter Plumbing are here with a handy guide to get rid of that persistent and rotten smell. Your basement sewer smell doesn't have to put a damper on your whole day. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Scarborough ON will break down the various reasons for the sewage smell and offer actionable solutions to eliminate those smells.
What to Do About Sewage Smell In a Basement
Keep reading to learn about the common causes of sewer smells and how you can be proactive about eliminating odors in your basement. We have reliable solutions and expert advice you can trust. Are you ready to de-stink the place?
Refill Dry Floor Drains
There is a trap inside your basement floor drain. It is designed to hold water and block out sewage gases. The water in the trap can evaporate over time. Allowing sewer gases that smell like rotten eggs to permeate the air. You can pour several gallons of hot, not boiling, water down that drain. Then you toss a cup of baking soda down there and follow it up with a cup of vinegar and more hot water. This process is also useful for clearing debris from clogged drains. Now, add a small amount of cooking oil down the drain to help slow evaporation and maintain the seal.
Check Your Cleanout Plugs
Your floor drain should have cleanout plugs that can be removed during maintenance. Without this plug, sewer gases have a direct line into your home. Remove the grate and check to see if your plug is properly inserted. If it's loose, push it in there tightly, and if it's missing, you'll need to replace it. You can pick up rubber replacement plugs at a hardware store. Plumber's tape can also be placed on threads to prevent leaks and odors. This should remove the sewer smell coming from your basement.
Inspect Your Ejector and Sump Pump Pits
If you have an ejector pit or a sump pump pit in your basement, you'll need to ensure the lids are properly sealed and the vent pipes are intact. Stagnant water in your pit can cause foul odors to come up from your plumbing system. You can run several cycles with fresh water or use bleach to help reduce the smell. You can empty the pit and clean it thoroughly to get rid of debris. Testing your pit is also important to ensure it's connected to your home's vent stack. And that the stack is not blocked. Having a professional inspect or repair your sump pump is a great way to find cracks or leaks that could be the culprit of your foul odor.
Check for Proper Appliance and Plumbing Ventilation
If you notice a sewage smell in your basement, Scarborough plumbers recommend checking to see if your laundry rooms, bathrooms, or appliances are properly ventilated. If they are not, they can slowly accumulate sewage gas in your basement. Confirm that all of your vents are clear to ensure adequate airflow. This should help prevent any smell in the future. Additionally, you can use a plumbing snake to check that your home's ventilation stack is properly cleared. Installing a Studer vent is also an option if a vent line isn't feasible.
Inspect Your Sewer Line
A professional sewer line inspection could help identify and prevent potential plumbing leaks or drainage issues. That wastewater could be leaking into your soil, allowing the odor to leak into your basement. You can perform a dye test by pouring fluorescent dye down your drain. Then you can check your yard or basement for any colored leaks. A licensed plumber can provide comprehensive sewer and drain repairs to fix your plumbing issues. They use video camera inspections to find any underlying issues in your plumbing system. Having them perform a backwater valve installation is also a great way to prevent future sewer backups.
Seal Toilet Bases
Do you notice your toilet shifts when you sit on it? Is it leaking around the base? These are signs that you have a loose wax ring under your toilet seat. That ring creates a seal, and if it is broken, it allows sewer gases to escape into your property. Replacing old hardware and resealing that wax ring could be the solution to preventing sewer smells from entering your space.
Use Odor Absorbers
Addressing moisture seepage and sealing all potential entry points for sewage gases is imperative to avoiding those nasty smells. You can also use charcoal-based odor absorbers or baking soda. Placing activated charcoal bags near shower and bathtub drains and other odor sources can help reduce foul smells. Baking soda can be placed and left in your carpet for an hour or so before being vacuumed up. It will trap the odor inside and leave your carpet smelling fresher.
Need Help Getting Rid of Sewer Smell In a Basement? Count on Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Scarborough
We hope you found our guide useful. But if, for some reason, you were unable to use a DIY solution to resolve the sewage smell in your basement, Scarborough plumbers are here to help. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Scarborough ON is available for sewer inspections and repair services. We can handle all of your drain problems with our professional drain cleaning and repair solutions. We have plumbing services for both residential and commercial properties and have years of experience in sewage backup prevention.
Whether you need a sewage ejector pump or a sewer cleanout installation to prevent future issues, we have you covered. Our team provides quality plumbing services in Scarborough and the GTA. Call us today to schedule your plumbing services with the team that cares.
