Picture this: you walk into your house after a long day at work only to be smacked right in the face by a horrible odor. You pinch your nose and pull your shirt up over your face and try to find out where the stench is coming from. This is the last thing you need, right?

Where Is The Smell Coming From?

Sure, there can be unpleasant smells in a number of places throughout your home, but today we’re talking about that nasty sewer gas.

Although sewer gas (hydrogen sulfide) is usually only found in small concentrations, a little bit is enough to cause some serious discomfort. It can also cause loss of appetite, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, pneumonia and more.

Long story short – it’s a problem that you’ll want to have solved right away because the smell can cause serious health issues in a short amount of time.

How To Get Rid Of The Odor

Identify the source of the problem. A sewer smell comes from decaying organic matter, so this is a good starting point.
Check pipes, drains, vents and traps. Traps and seals are what keeps the smell from entering the home so most of the time it will be a problem with one of these things.
If a trap has dried out under a sink, tub, or toilet try pouring a bucket of water down the drain and see if that eliminates the odor. In most cases, the constant flow of water is what keeps the gas from rising up into the living areas of your house.
Then check the wax ring seal that surrounds the base of the toilet. If it’s leaking or not airtight it needs to be replaced.
If that doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to call in a professional to perform a smoke test.

We have been performing smoke tests and fixing sewer gas odors in Metro Detroit homes and offices for more than 80 years. If you believe you may have sewer gases in your home, call Levine & Sons right away. We look forward to serving you!