Have you ever smelled the unfortunate odor of sewage in your shower or laundry room? You don’t just need to pinch your nose and bear it! Instead, clearing away a foul sewage stench from your floor drain is a surprisingly easy DIY fix.
To start, let’s talk a little about what’s causing that sewer smell in the first place.
Just about every drain in your system leads to something called a “trap,” also known as a P-trap, water trap, or drain trap. Look under your kitchen or bathroom sink and you’ll probably see one in action right now: The trap will be the “U”-shaped bend located a bit below your drain.
The purpose of the trap is two-fold. For one, it captures any items or debris that happen to slide down your drain, making it a lifesaver for many homeowners. More importantly, though, the P-trap catches water in order to create a seal that prevents sewer gas from rising through your drain pipes and up into your living space.
Sometimes, however, these traps go “dry,” usually due to evaporation or from a general lack of use. Without water, these traps can’t do their job properly, and sewer gas is being allowed up and into your home.
The best way to fight back? Just add water! Dump a large pitcher of warm water directly down the smelly drain, allowing the trap to fill back up. Once you’ve added a decent amount of water, follow it up with a few tablespoons of mineral or cooking oil. The addition of the oil will create a floating seal that prevents the water from evaporating so quickly.
If the stink persists, there may be a larger issue with your sewage system, ranging from a faulty or missing “cleanout plug” to a cracked or broken sewer line. At this point, we’d advise against going it alone; instead, bring in a certified plumber who can help you track down the source of the smell without causing any further damage to your system.
That’s where Combat Plumbing comes in! From your minor plumbing hassles to your house’s biggest mysteries, we’re here to help get your system back on track. Drop us a line to get started today!
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