How To Get Rid Of Sewage Smell In House

CONTENTS

• What causes a sewage smell?
• Is a sewage smell in the house dangerous?
• How to eliminate the sewer smell
•  
  • Diagnose the issue
  • Fix the problem
  • Neutralise the odour
• Get in touch

A strong sewage odour in your home is an unpleasant sign of a big plumbing problem. Air fresheners and home remedies might mask the stench, but the only way to eliminate it for good is to resolve the issue.

Here at ICE Cleaning, our operatives can diagnose the drainage issue, clean up sewage leaks, decontaminate the affected property and neutralise the smell. We're available nationwide and offer same-day emergency call-outs.

Keep reading to find out how to remove it from your home.

What causes a sewage smell?

When sewer gas backs up into your home, it can make it smell of rotten eggs. The mix of gases consists of hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and methane. These are the by-products of decaying human waste.

There are several ways it can enter the home:

• Dry 'P traps': if there are low water levels in your pipes, gas can travel back up through the drain.
• Missing clean out plugs: these caps block sewer gas escaping from access points in the main sewer lines.
• Wax ring around toilet is broken: the watertight, airtight seal is supposed to stop it from leaking into your bathroom.
• Loose connections along the vent pipe or sewer line: any breaks in these pipes (which are usually in the wall or ceiling) can let it escape.
• Clogged vent pipe: water accumulates in pipes and the stagnant water flows back up and out of drains.
• Sewer and septic pipe leaks: gas can escape from broken and cracked pipes.

The stench of sewage gas is not always caused by sewer gas, however. If your shower drain or sink smells like sewage, for example, it might actually be caused by a build-up of dirt, grime, oils and other substances.

Is a sewage smell in the house dangerous?

It depends on how much is in your home. Hydrogen sulphide, the cause of the rotten egg smell, can be toxic and cause organ damage or death. Methane, on the other hand, can be extremely flammable and is a fire risk.

At low levels, sewer gas will not be toxic but it might cause fatigue, headaches, nausea and dizziness. Long-term exposure can cause eye irritation and pink eye, throat and lung irritation, and other health problems. These symptoms will go away after exposure ends.

How to eliminate the sewer smell

If there are sewer gas smells your home, the stench will not go away until you deal with the cause and professionally neutralise the odour.

Diagnose the issue

First, you need to find out where the sewer gases are leaking from. This can be as simple as going around your home and seeing where the smell is the strongest.

Alternatively, assess whether it is coming from your toilet, sinks, or pipes. Some plumbing problems might have more specific symptoms, as well, like gurgling drains indicating a clogged vent pipe. If possible, try and see if anything is blocked, cracked, or clogged to single it out.

If you determine that the sewage smell is coming from your sinks or drains, there is a good chance it is just bacteria build-up. Use off-the-shelf products to try and clean the drain first to see if that helps. If the sewer odour returns, it could indicate something more serious.

Fix the problem

Once you have found the cause, contact a plumber immediately so they can confirm the cause and resolve it. If you have not been able to identify the problem, a plumber will pinpoint it.

Should the cause be a sewage leak or spill in your home, contact professional cleaners immediately. Exposure to sewage is far more dangerous than sewer gases.

ICE Cleaning’s drainage operatives are trained specialists that can quickly and effectively remove all traces of the sewage and sanitise contaminated areas.

You should not attempt to fix clogged or broken pipes, or clean up sewage yourself. You could make the problem much worse and put your health at risk.

Neutralise the odour

With no more sewer gas entering your home, you can start to tackle the smell. Ventilate your property by opening up all the windows and use fans to improve air circulation. This will replace the gas with fresh air.

To ensure it has been removed from your home, you will need to bring in professional cleaners. Our odour removal specialists have plenty of experience neutralising unpleasant, stubborn smells, from cigarette smoke to fire smoke.

Get in touch

Contact us today on 0208 066 0360 or at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to find out more about our drainage solutions and sewage cleaning services.