The drain smells bad

Do you smell a sewer odor in your home? There could be several reasons for this. You can often fix it yourself quite easily.

A sewer smell in your home may be harmless, but it could also be a sign of bigger problems. So always find out where the smell is coming from.

Bad smell in one room

Do you smell a sewer odor in a single room, such as the bathroom or the utility room? If so, there’s a good chance that the trap on a drain in that room isn’t working properly. The trap is that curved pipe under the drain. Other names for a trap are a gooseneck or a siphon. There should always be a little water in the trap. That water prevents sewer odors from entering the house.

Sometimes a trap like this can dry out. This can happen, for example, if a sink or shower hasn’t been used for a while, or if there has been work on the sewer system in the street. The solution is simple: run some water down the drain. This will get the trap working again. If you air out the room for a moment, the sewer odor will stay away afterward.

Blockage

Do you smell a sewer odor, and is the drain not working properly? If so, clean the gooseneck or use a plunger. You can read more about this onthe page “Clearing a Clog.” 

A foul smell throughout the house

Do you smell a sewer odor in several places in your home? This could be because the sewer lines under your house are clogged, leaking, or not properly vented. Especially if you hear the drain gurgling or bubbling, there’s often something wrong with the venting.

Ventilation usually occurs through the downspout and the gutter. Sometimes there is a separate vent pipe on the roof; this is especially common in new homes. You can check whether the downspout outlet near the gutter or the vent pipe on the roof is clear.

You can also check the crawl space, for example, to see if the pipes are sealed and properly sloped (at a slight angle so that water can flow in the right direction).

If necessary, hire a sewer service company. Onthis page, you'll find tips on how to find a good professional. 

Who is responsible for the sewer system?

Do you own your home? If so, you are responsible for the sewer lines inside and under your home. If you rent your home and are experiencing a foul odor that you cannot resolve on your own, please report it to your landlord.