Your bathroom or kitchen odour problem ruins home tranquillity and happiness through its unpleasant smell. The sewage system proves to be the usual origin of these smells. How can you confirm that the smell is from the sewage system, and what actions would remedy the situation? Try fixing this problem on your own or contact expert help right away. The article identifies the causes of sewage smell and then presents basic solutions for specific cases where you need Waterloo plumber help.
How do you know if the smell is coming from the sewer?
To handle the issue, you must verify that the source is in the sewer network. Most sewer pipe odours contain hydrogen sulphide that provides a scent similar to rotten eggs and swamp rotten odours. The stench may originate from any plumbing fixture, including a sink, bathtub, shower, or toilet. The lingering bad odour will indicate that aerating the space did not work because the stench remains.
Draining water from the sink creates odour strength. After you finish washing dishes, the sink develops a worse odor. Noises that resemble gurgling or hissing sounds within plumbing pipes suggest sewer air is escaping into the system. A foul odour emerges only when plumbing remains unused for extensive periods, which indicates that the issue stems from nearer plumbing systems. The putrid odours indicate that the runoff pipes from the sewer serve as the primary source.
Causes of odour from the sewer
1. Clogged pipes:
- Grease, hair, and food residues accumulate in the pipes, rot, and produce a stench.
- This is especially true in the kitchen, where various wastes are drained.
- The blockage blocks the normal drainage, and the odor makes its way up.
Solution: Cleaning the pipes from blockages by mechanical or chemical cleaning. You can call plumbing Waterloo Ontario and they will come to you immediately to perform professional sewer cleaning and solve all plumbing problems quickly and efficiently.
2. Dry siphon:
- A siphon is a curved tube under a sink or bathtub where water stands that prevent odours from entering the house from sewage.
- If the siphon is not used for a long time, the water in it can evaporate, and the barrier will disappear.
Solution: Regular use of the plumbing or adding water to siphons that are not in use.
3. Cracks in the pipes:
- If there are cracks in the pipes, gases from the sewer can leak out.
- This can be difficult to notice because the cracks are often hidden in the walls or under the floor.
Solution: You need to check the pipes for cracks or damage and repair or replace them.
4. Poor ventilation:
- Poor ventilation in the bathroom or kitchen can contribute to the accumulation of odours.
- Instead of removing unpleasant odours, they remain in the room.
Solution: Ensure proper ventilation in the room, including checking and cleaning ventilation ducts.
5. Incorrectly installed pipes:
- If the pipes are not installed correctly, water can remain in the pipes, promoting bacterial growth and decay.
Solution: Check the pipes’ level and ensure the system is properly designed and installed.
6. Outdated plumbing:
- Old or worn plumbing fixtures can contribute to odours due to leaks or damage.
Solution: Replace old plumbing fixtures or repair them.
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7. Improper use of chemicals:
- Some cleaning chemicals can leave chemical residues that eventually become a source of the odour.
Solution: Clean pipes and plumbing fixtures using safe and environmentally friendly products.
Simple methods of odour control
Some odour causes can be eliminated independently if the problem is shallow. Here are a few simple ways to try before calling a technician.
First, flush the pipes. Hot water dissolves grease and washes away fine dirt. It is enough to boil the kettle and slowly pour it down the drain. To enhance the effect, add baking soda and vinegar: pour half a glass of baking soda, pour a glass of vinegar, wait 15 minutes and rinse with hot water. This helps with light clogs that often cause an odour.
The second step is to check the siphon. If the odour comes from the sink or bathtub, see if there is water there. If the siphon is dry, open the faucet for a couple of minutes – the water seal will be restored, and the stench will disappear. But if the siphon is leaking or cracked, it must be replaced – you will need tools and a little skill.
The third method is to clean the drain with a plunger. Sometimes, the blockage sits close to the surface, and a few strokes with a plunger can break it through. If the cause is stagnant dirt, this will also reduce the odor. But these methods work only for simple cases—the limits of amateurism quickly come.
The limits of amateurism
While rinsing or plunging seem like easy solutions, they don’t always work. If the odour persists, the problem is deeper. For example, the blockage may be far away in the pipes, where hot water cannot reach. Or the siphon is in good working order, but the stench comes from another part of the system. It isn’t easy to understand this on your own without experience.
There are also risks. Too aggressive cleaning, such as strong chemicals, can damage plastic pipes or rubber gaskets. And if the cause is a crack, home methods won’t find or fix it. In such situations, amateurism only postpones the solution, and the odour returns repeatedly. This is where a specialist is needed.
The role of a specialist in finding hidden problems
When simple methods don’t work, it’s time to call a Waterloo plumber. Experts know how to find and eliminate sewer odours, even if the cause is hidden. They have tools you don’t have at home, such as video cameras for pipe inspection. Such a camera shows where the blockage or crack is and helps you understand what to do.
Waterloo plumber can also check the sewer ventilation. If it is clogged or improperly installed, odors do not go outside and enter the house. You can’t see this without special equipment. The masters also know how to work with damaged pipes—to replace a piece or seal a crack so that the stench no longer bothers you.
The advantage of specialists is also in their speed. Instead of enduring the odour for weeks and trying different methods, they solve the problem in one visit. So, if the smell from the sewer does not disappear after flushing or checking the siphon, it is better not to waste time and contact the master.
How to prepare for the arrival of a specialist?
For the help to be effective, you should do a few things. Remember when the smell appeared and where it comes from – this will tell the technician where to look. Remove all unnecessary things under the sink or near the toilet to give access to the pipes. And don’t fill up the chemicals before you arrive – this can complicate the diagnosis. This way, the specialist will understand the situation faster.
Take care of the sewage system to keep it from stinking. Don’t pour grease or garbage down the sink – throw it in the trash instead. Put nets on the drains to stop hair and dirt. If a bathtub or sink is rarely used, run water once a week to keep the siphon from drying out. These simple habits will keep your pipes clean and odour-free.
Conclusion
Sewage odour is a nuisance you can try to eliminate if the cause is simple. Flushing the pipes, checking the siphon, or plunging can sometimes save you from light clogs or a dry trap. But when the problem is cracks, deep blockages, or ventilation, home methods are powerless. Waterloo plumber, with their tools and experience, will find and fix the hidden causes quickly and reliably. So if the odour persists, don’t bother – it’s better to call a technician and forget about the problem.