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AvantGarde
07-31-2009, 11:24 AM
:confused:

Plumber has determined that the concrete slab has settled/cracked done something to one of the mainline pipes. It causes solid waste from one of the bathrooms to "collect" and it has to snaked or some very strong liquid to clean out the pipes.

Now, the septic odor only is introduced into the living space when the A/C kicks in after being off for a few hours early on in the morning.

The plumbing part can be rectified but why does the odor come into the house when the HVAC kicks in?
Thanx ahead
BigJon3475
07-31-2009, 12:01 PM
Leaking duct work, either the supplies causing a negative pressure in the home sucking it into the home or a leaking return causing it to be pushed through the duct work and expelled into the house. That's my guess without being there.
heaterman
07-31-2009, 12:12 PM
Check condensate drain on you AC coil to see if the odor is present in it. While it is against code in almost all areas to connect condensate to a black water waste line, it happens.
Ti Llaves
07-31-2009, 12:49 PM
Check condensate drain on you AC coil to see if the odor is present in it. While it is against code in almost all areas to connect condensate to a black water waste line, it happens.
If condensate line has trap installed it should not cause odor to be spelled in living area. But anything is possible. May have condensate pump?
cd411
07-31-2009, 12:57 PM
Is this concrete floor in the basement? If so is there a floor drain? The drain trap might have cracked or the water might just have evaporated and the trap is dry. Now if there is a open return in the basement the air handler could be pulling up sewer gas.

I have seen this before.
AvantGarde
07-31-2009, 03:10 PM
Is this concrete floor in the basement? If so is there a floor drain? The drain trap might have cracked or the water might just have evaporated and the trap is dry. Now if there is a open return in the basement the air handler could be pulling up sewer gas.

I have seen this before.

Please tell me more.
cd411
07-31-2009, 03:29 PM
Please tell me more.
The reason there is a u shaped bend in every exposed drain is so water will always be present blocking sewer gas from entering the building. When this water is removed the sewer gas can enter.

If there is an un-ducted furnace return (open return) in the space then that can create negative pressure pulling air from any source including a drain with a dry trap.

The return does not even have to be open, it could have any number of problems.

I really need more information. Floor drain? Type of A/C?