Sewer Pipe Odors in Reading

sanitary sewer manhole cover

If you notice a horrible stench coming from your sewer pipes, you most likely have internal sewer line damage or a backup. This is, unfortunately, something that is hard to avoid, as the smells can be quite strong. Not only that, but they will prevent your toilet from flushing and water will seep into the tub.
Your home contains a great amount of piping to properly rid the area of waste. This line of sewage connects with the public sewer system, but sometimes a break or blockage will prevent the flow from continuing. When you first notice a sewage smell coming from your home, you should be aware that you may have an issue with the transfer of waste to your sewage system.
Here are a few of common reasons for why this may be and how you can solve the problem yourself:

Lack of required traps or vents. These are installed to keep smells from entering the home, so if they are missing you need to have a plumbing professional install them immediately.
Broken seals around the toilet that allow water to dry out the traps resulting in smells entering the house. Rotted or damp wood could also be causing the smell. Check to see if the toilet is tightly sealed to the floor. If it’s not, you may need to have another wax ring installed.
If you notice the smell mainly around a sink, try flushing a strong cleaner and bleach down the sink’s overflow (the small holes inside the bowl near the rim) and see if that helps. Avoid harmful drain clearing chemicals, however, as these might damage the pipe lining.
Check the top side of horizontal drain pipes for rust. If rusted, it will leak sewer gas, possibly causing the smell in your home.
Clogged vents. This can be resolved by calling a technician to disconnect the vent pipes and clean your vents all the way through the roof.

Don’t just “hope” it goes away. Even if the issue is minor, it is best to be sure. If you notice a foul smell in your home and need help, call Essig Plumbing today!

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