Sewer odors coming from your drains are unpleasant and can signal a real plumbing problem. Here are the most common causes and how to fix them.
If your drains smell like sewage, you are not imagining it — and it is not just a nuisance. Sewer gas contains hydrogen sulfide and methane, which are both unpleasant and potentially hazardous in high concentrations. Identifying the source is the first step to fixing it.
The most common cause of drain odors in Caldwell homes is a dry P-trap. Every drain in your home has a P-trap — the curved section of pipe under the sink or behind the wall for floor drains — that holds a small amount of water to block sewer gas from entering the home. If a drain is rarely used, the water in the trap evaporates and the barrier disappears. Running water down the drain for 30 seconds usually solves this immediately.
If the smell persists after running water, the issue may be a blocked or partially blocked vent stack. Your plumbing system has a vent pipe that runs through the roof to allow sewer gases to escape outside. If that vent is blocked by debris, bird nests, or ice in winter, gases back up into the drain system and enter your home.
Biofilm buildup inside drain pipes is another common source of odor. Organic matter that accumulates on the inside of drain pipes decomposes and produces a sulfur-like smell. Professional drain cleaning removes this buildup and eliminates the odor at its source.
1Up Plumbing diagnoses and resolves drain odor problems throughout Caldwell, Nampa, and the Treasure Valley. Call (208) 919-8496 if sewer smells are coming from your drains.