| Q.) I just read your article on sewer
gas. We live in Lubbock in a house with crawl space. We have started having sewer
smell in bathroom. But, it comes and it goes. And sometimes it is on the complete opposite
side of the house where the washer and kitchen is located.
We have a second bath in the front of the
house that is seldom used. We sometimes find that if we run water in sink, tub and toilet
in that area the smell goes away. But then comes back. Yesterday I identified that maybe
it was when the temperature was high. But, strictly a guess. Can you add any other
thoughts.
~ Bill D. - Lubbock, Texas
A.) I
think you hit the nail on the head. If we don't run water in the shower, tub and
sinks in bathrooms that seldom get used the water in the pea trap evaporates and lets the
sewer gas escape inside your home. This gas is dangerous to your health so you need to
find where the smell is coming from.
Most people never think about running the
water in the sinks and tubs to refill the pea traps in their plumbing pipes. Many
homeowners over years have called me and think a rat has died inside their walls and want
to start ripping open the sheetrock. Others think something is rotting inside their home
and the smell is driving them nuts.
In your case that could have happened.
Once you refilled your pea traps if the smell is still hanging around in your home, try
opening all your windows and air out your home. If this does not seem to work by the next
day call a plumber.
Toilets have a built in pea trap which is
the water inside the toilet bowl so it's not your toilet, unless your toilet is loose and
rocks around when someone is using it. If that is the case you might have a wax ring that
needs replacing, so check that next.
So let's make a deal, Bill… check
things out really well and if you can't find the problem, please call your local plumber,
OK?
Regards,
Jim Neidner |
