any plumbers ouy there?

[dexman]

Just wondering what causes drains to smell like sewage. Thought it was the water but after putting some clorox in the traps, oder is gone. Trouble is, it comes back in a few weeks. This is a new house and I never had this problem at any other place I lived.

[karsthuntr]

Is it your garbage disposal making the smell?

You can fix that by grinding up a lemon.

If it's in all the sinks, your traps are going dry. Most likely because the vent on your roof is plugged up.

Note: I'm not a plumber, my butt is not big enough.

[dexman]

No garbage disposal. Its just in bathroom sinks. only smells when water is running. Also on windy days, you can smell the vent gases outside. Is that normal? This is my first house with a 4" "mandatory" vent.

[Jultzya]

Traps are not operating properly.

Possible cause;

The water is get sucked out. You may very well have a plugged vent that is allowing the water to literally get sucked out of the trap.

[Workhorse]

Originally posted by jultzya
Traps are not operating properly.

Possible cause;

The water is get sucked out. You may very well have a plugged vent that is allowing the water to literally get sucked out of the trap.

Exactly the problem. You will need to have the plumbing vents cleaned out. It could be something as simple as a birds nest or venting in the attic could have been crushed.

[dexman]

Thanks!!!

[James 3528]

Are you on a shallow water well near the coast?

[condenseddave]

Originally posted by dexman
Just wondering what causes drains to smell like sewage.

There is sewage in there, resulting in the sewage smell. If there were fresh daisies, you'd experience fresh daiy smell.

[condenseddave]

BTW, you are welcome.

[HeyBob]

I had a friend who had that problem on windy days also. The vent pipe was situated in such a manner that when the wind blew it would create a suction on the vent pipe and suck the traps dry. He extended the vent pipe about 1' and problem cured.

[rich pickering]

The overflow on the basin is full of bacteria that is farting. Pour some thick toilet bowl cleaner in the overflow and the drain and let it sit. Then flush with hot water.

[ct2]

He extended the vent pipe about 1' and problem cured.-------------------------------------------------------

Not quite as windy up there 1 more foot
The change in altitude works every time

[dexman]

Wasnt thanking you Dave, you dont seem to be smart enough to be of any help. Guys like you, who dont know how to do anything usually say stupid things. BTW "It is better to sit quietly and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt!!!"

[amickracing]

I can't help it.. this one is for you Dave ;-)




[Edited by amickracing on 09-19-2005 at 11:13 PM]

[Diceman]

See the............."if I'm offending anyone" thread."

[mizearella]

Also check wax ring at toilet. You may have a poor seal or installation problem. With a flashlight check to see if theres water in the traps.(sink,tub,shower). If none possible broken trap.(assuming there not being sucked dry) Sometimes we find no traps.(It happens)

Sometimes we gotta bust out shop vac & smokies to find leak.