Odors Inside AND/OR Outside the House

Eliminating Sewage Odors Inside Your Home

A common concern for homeowners is the presence of sewage odors inside the house.

In many cases, this issue is caused by a dry drain trap.

Each drain in a home is equipped with a trap—typically a U-shaped section of pipe located beneath sinks, tubs, and floor drains. The purpose of this trap is to hold a small amount of water, which acts as a barrier to prevent gases from the septic system or sewer line from entering the home.

When the trap contains water, it effectively blocks odors. However, if the water in the trap evaporates, that barrier is lost, allowing unpleasant gases to escape through the drain.

This most often occurs in fixtures that are used infrequently, such as:

• Guest bathrooms
• Basement showers or floor drains
• Utility sinks or other rarely used fixtures

Simple Solution

The fix is easy: run water into the drain to refill the trap and restore the barrier.

For drains that are rarely used, it’s a good idea to periodically run water to keep the trap full and prevent odors from returning.

Occasional Sewage Odors Outside the Home

Some homeowners notice occasional sewage odors outside their home and in  most cases, this smell originates from the vent stack on the roof.

Each plumbing system includes one or more vent stacks—the small pipes that extend through your roof. These pipes serve two important purposes:

• They safely vent gases from your septic system or sewer line above the home
• They allow air into the plumbing system, preventing air locks and helping wastewater flow properly

However, certain conditions can cause these gases to be carried back down toward ground level.

Factors such as:

• The location and height of the vent pipe
• The shape and pitch of the roof
• Wind speed and direction can create downdrafts that push odors into outdoor living areas like patios or decks.

Possible Solutions

• Extend the height of the vent stack to help disperse gases higher above the roofline
• Install a charcoal vent filter to help absorb and neutralize odors before they are released