How to Get Rid of Sewer Odor in Your House

Nothing ruins your day faster than an unexpected sewer smell inside your house. The odor could be coming from damaged plumbing, a vent, or a toilet, and spreading throughout the rest of your home.

The good news is that fixing it is often pretty simple. But if the smell won't go away, you might have a blocked vent or a damaged line that needs a professional eye.

So, how do you get rid of sewer odor in your house? In this blog, we will take a look at some of the main reasons, solutions, and precautions for the problem.

Quick Answer  How To Eliminate Sewer Smell:   Follow the steps below to get rid of sewer smell: Allow water to flow through less-used drains to refill the dry P-traps. Deep-check the toilets for moisture, wobbling, or persistent odor. Deep-clean stinking drains, as organic buildup causes odor. Search for blocked plumbing vents, such as slow drains or gurgling Identify the signs of damaged pipes if the odor is emerging from the floor, wall, or multiple fixtures. Contact a professional in case the smell persists.   It’s better to locate and repair the source of the odor instead of simply masking it if it persists.

First, Find Where the Sewer Smell Is Coming From

It’s important to locate where and when you notice the odor before trying out any aggressive methods.

1. Smell Coming From One Drain

This is common around basement floor drains, other fixtures, laundry sinks, and guest bathrooms that are not in regular use. Also, a dry P-trap or a buildup within a drain can cause the odor. A clogged drain can also contribute to unpleasant plumbing odors, especially when buildup traps organic matter.

2. Smell Coming From Around One Toilet

A damaged toilet seal can allow sewer gases to escape around the base of the toilet. Some of the warning signs in this case are a wobbly toilet, moisture around the base, or a stronger odor after flushing.

3. Smell Coming From Multiple Drains

When several fixtures smell at the same time, the problem may be more extensive.

A blocked plumbing vent, drain blockage, or problem with the main sewer line could be allowing sewer gases to move through the plumbing system.

4.  Smell Coming From a Wall or Floor

When odor emerges from within the wall, underneath the floor, or from a certain area of the home, it could indicate a leaking or damaged drain pipe.

Get Professional Plumbing Help in Reno - Call (775) 252-4583

How to Get Rid of Sewer Odor: 6 Fixes to Try

Here is how to apply simple solutions to get rid of the sewer odor:

1. Run Water Through Unused Drains

When the drain has not been used recently, try running water continuously for 30 seconds. This refills a dry P-trap and restores the water seal that prevents the sewer gases from escaping.

Be sure to check less obvious drains, such as:

• Guest bathroom sinks
• Laundry sinks
• Other rarely used fixtures
• Utility sinks
• Basement floor drains

Here, a dry trap is the main cause if the odor disappears after adding water.

2. Keep Infrequently Used Drains From Drying Out

Prevention is easier than dealing with the smell later.

For infrequently used drains, prevention is easier than dealing with the smell later. Run water through these drains periodically to maintain the P-trap's water seal. For floor drains that are prone to drying out, EPA guidance also recommends a nontoxic, slow-evaporating liquid, such as mineral oil, to help maintain the seal.

3. Clean Smelly Drains

Clean the drain if the odor appears to be coming from inside a drain. Do this by clearing the visible debris around the drain, then cleaning according to the plumbing and fixture manufacturer's recommendations.

If the odor appears to be coming from inside a drain, professional drain cleaning can help remove buildup that may be contributing to the smell.

For garbage disposals, clean the disposal chamber and surrounding components according to the unit's design. The aim is to remove the source of the odor rather than simply masking it with fragrance.

4. Check Around the Toilet

When the odor is emerging from just one toilet, you can inspect whether:

• The toilet wobbles or shakes
• Moisture is surrounding the base
• There's a persistent sewer odor
• The odor grows stronger after flushing

A persistent odor around one toilet may require toilet repair if the seal or another component has failed.

Simply cleaning around the toilet will not solve the problem if sewer gases are escaping from a failed toilet seal. A professional plumber should inspect the toilet, seal it, and repair or replace any failed components as needed.

5. Look for Signs of a Plumbing Vent Problem

A blocked or obstructed plumbing vent can contribute to sewer odors and may cause other symptoms, such as:

• Gurgling drains
• Sewer odor that returns after running water
• Bubbling in a fixture
• Slow drainage
• Several drains are behaving strangely at the same time

As the plumbing vents are usually located on the roof, be sure to get professional help to address this issue.

6. Have Damaged Pipes or Sewer Lines Inspected

If the smell doesn't go away after trying the basic fixes, it's time to have a plumber take a look. A professional plumber performs a sewer camera inspection with the help of specialized tools to locate blockages, breaks, cracks, or other problems within the plumbing system.

How Can You Tell What Is Causing the Sewer Smell?

These symptoms can help you narrow down the possible cause, but they cannot confirm a diagnosis.

What You Notice	Possible Cause	What to Do
Smell from one rarely used drain	Dry P-trap	Run water through the drain
Smell around one toilet	Failed toilet seal	Have the toilet and seal inspected
Smell plus gurgling drains	Vent or drainage problem	Schedule a plumbing inspection
Multiple slow drains and sewer odor	Main drain or sewer line issue	Have the system professionally evaluated
Smell from wall or floor	Damaged drain pipe	Arrange a plumbing inspection
Odor directly from one drain	Organic buildup or trap issue	Clean the drain and check the P-trap

When Should You Call a Plumber for Sewer Odor?

Be sure to call a plumber if you notice the following:

• Sewer odor from multiple areas of the house
• Several slow or clogged drains
• Gurgling toilets or drains
• Recurring plumbing backups
• Water stains or unexplained dampness
• A toilet that rocks or leaks around the base
• A persistent smell coming from a wall or floor
• Signs of a damaged sewer or drain line
• A smell that remains after basic fixes

According to the EPA, it’s not possible to determine the exact source of a septic or sewer odor remotely, and it is recommended to contact a qualified septic service provider or plumber if the cause is unclear.

Is Sewer Gas Dangerous?

You need to take action if you notice a persistent sewer gas odor, as it contains hydrogen sulfide and other harmful compounds that pose health hazards when they enter a building through malfunctioning traps or vents.

When you notice a strong sewer odor, especially within an enclosed area, be sure to ventilate the space and do not expose yourself deliberately to the source when trying to locate it.

Also, don’t rely on the smell alone to determine whether an area is safe, as hydrogen sulfide can affect the sense of smell at higher concentrations.

How to Prevent Sewer Odors From Coming Back

Here are the best maintenance tips that you can implement to prevent the sewer odor from coming back:

1. Use Every Drain Regularly
2. Pay Attention to Slow Drains
3. Address Toilet Leaks Promptly
4. Don't Ignore Recurring Odors
5. Schedule Plumbing Inspections When Needed

Need Professional Plumbing Inspection in Reno - Call (775) 252-4583

Common Queries From Our Clients