Foul odors are an unpleasant aspect of the sewer system, but while SD1 works hard to manage odors outside the home, private plumbing is often the source of indoor sewer odors. We know sewer odors are unpleasant, which is why we reduce odors on our end and want to help you eliminate them inside your home.
What causes indoor sewer odors?
Hydrogen sulfide, a chemical that naturally forms when organic materials decompose, causes the rotten egg smell in sewer pipes. Public and private plumbing systems are designed to prevent these smells from entering your home or business, yet weather and other factors may cause or increase sewer odors.
Common causes of indoor sewer odors:
- Dry drain traps
- A leak or crack in private plumbing
- Clogged pipes
Sewer odors are not harmful in small concentrations, but how can you stop these unpleasant odors from occurring?
How to stop indoor sewer odors
First, check your drains. The most common source of sewer odors is dry drain traps. When working properly, indoor drain traps hold a small amount of water in the curved portion of the pipe, preventing sewer gas from entering your building. If you detect an odor coming from floor drains or infrequently used drains, here is a simple solution: Pour 2-3 gallons of fresh water down the drain to reseal the trap. If the drain is in the shower or under a faucet, just run the water for about a minute and a half. Doing this periodically will stop or reduce smelly drains.
If the odor persists, there may be a more serious issue with your private plumbing. Call SD1 at 859-578-7450 or a licensed plumber to help you diagnose the problem.
As a reminder, you can reduce the likelihood of clogged pipes by following the tips provided on our Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Program page.
Outdoor sewer odors
If you detect a sewer odor outside the home (and it’s not newly laid mulch) call SD1 and we’ll send a crew to investigate as soon as possible. If the sewer system or our treatment process is the culprit, there are several things we can do to alleviate those odors. Learn more about SD1’s odor control efforts.
No one wants to smell sewer odors, but between your detective skills, effective plumbing and odor control techniques we can eliminate sewer odors inside our homes and businesses.