Are you smelling sewer gas in your home? There are several reasons why this could be happening so let’s consider some of them.
Among the most common reasons you will smell sewer gas is from plumbing fixtures that have started to dry out. It may be that plumbing traps, which are designed to have water barriers that prevent sewer gas from leaking into the home, have dried out. This can often happen when bathrooms are not used very often or when there are periods of dry weather.
You could also experience sewer gas leaking into the home when cracks start forming in plumbing drains, ventilation pipes or foundations. Plumbing vents are sometimes positioned too close to air intakes which can also cause sewer gas to come into the home. You may also smell sewer gas for the simple reason of air flowing around the building.
Should you be worried about sewer gas leaks? This will depend on the cause of the leak, but sewer gases can be very dangerous. There is a risk of asphyxiation due to sewer gas displacing oxygen in the home. Sulfide poisoning is also a danger which could be very serious. Then there is risk of fire or explosion. If you are smelling sewer gas, its important you have the problem identified by a professional so that you maintain the health and safety of the home’s occupants.