Sewer Smell in House

[Phillbo]

Hello all.

I notice a sewer smell in my house on occasions. I thought I had tracked it down to the tub in the guest bathroom. This tub does not get used more than a couple times a year so my assumption was that the water was evaporating from the trap and allowing the gas to come in through the drain. I have been running water in the tub for a few minutes each week and it does not seam to be helping... so, I guess my theory is bunk.

Any suggestions or other areas to explore?

 

[Chris]

I would start by adding the water very slowly to see if that helps. If you had a plugged vent line it can siphon the water you are putting down it causing the trap to not seal.

I am sure others will chime in with more info but it is worth a shot to start with.

 

[Phillbo]

I'll give that a try. How do I diagnose a clogged vent line and clear it ?

 

[Chris]

You can climb on your roof and check it, many times birds build nests on them.

 

[IFIXH20]

Run water in your lav sink to (bathroom sink). Smell around that sink before running water. The wax seal could be broken at your toilet as well.

 

[goof99]

It could be a disconnected vent pipe joint inside the wall. I had that happen. The smell came out an electric plug receptical. The joint was not glued during construction and some years later worked apart somehow.

 

[johnjh2o]

As IFIXH2O said check the wax seal. #1 cause of sewer gas in areas it didn't exist before. If the toilet rocks chances are you found the
cause. Pull and reset the toilet and check the flange.

John

 

[Phillbo]

Thanks guys, I'll replace the wax seal this weekend.