Sewage Smell in Basements: What To Do About This Pesky Odour

Are you experiencing a sewage smell in your basement? Before you panic, there are many common reasons why you are dealing with this pesky problem. Whether from clogged drains, dried-out water traps, improper ventilation, or defective ejector pits, the expert plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Toronto have many ways of dealing with this issue.

Our Toronto plumbers offer solutions to a wide range of plumbing issues, especially identifying and addressing the nasty sewage stench in your basement. But first, let us examine what causes sewer gas smells and what you can do about them.

Keep reading to find out more about the sewage smell in your basement and the practical solutions for this problem. This includes simple hot water draining methods that you can utilize yourself, as well as professional repairs that require the labour of an expert.

Is The Sewage Smell In My Basement Dangerous?

Potentially, yes. That being said, hydrogen sulphide gases (sewage smells) aren't detrimental to your health if they are at a low concentration level. We recommend that you get prompt assistance to determine the cause of the sewer odours, but there's no need to panic or evacuate your home in the meantime.

It is important to be mindful of dangerous levels of sewage gas in your home. High levels and prolonged exposure to these toxic sewer gasses can eventually cause safety and health risks and issues. And if you experience dizziness, nausea, or headaches when you're exposed to the sewer gases, then it's important to seek emergency plumbing services.

Sewage Smells in Basement Due to Unused or Clogged Basement Floor Drains

The most common reason for that stinky sewage smell in basements is because of a dried-out or clogged floor drain. When your floor drains have seldom been used, a foul odour can radiate over time. That's because these floor drains are built with a water trap to create a barrier between the drain pipes, which prevents sewer gases from entering your home. When this seal dries up due to unused drains, the sewer gas smell will radiate throughout your home. Another reason why you have that foul sewage smell in your basement could be a result of clogged drains.

How To Address Dried-Out Water Seals or Clogged Floor Drains

To address this issue, we recommend using an effective cleaning solution like hot water! Start by pouring a few gallons of hot water down your floor drain. After pouring in the water, wait about 15 minutes before checking on the stench. If you are still experiencing a foul sewer smell, then add white vinegar and baking soda, and let the chemical reaction do its job. Next, repeat the same process of pouring hot water into the drain.

If this doesn't resolve the sewage smell in your basement, you may have a blockage in the drain trap and will need a professional plumber to clear out any debris with an auger or hydro jetting tool. Professional drain cleaning services ensure that the clog is effectively demolished.

In addition to your floor drain and traps, a lot of floor drains also come with a cleanout plug that gets damaged or worn down over time. When this happens, you will have a drainage issue and need help from our plumbers to resolve the issue.

Issues With Your Sewer Ejector Pit Causing Basement Sewer Smell

For homes with an overhead sewer line, an ejector pit has to be sealed with a cover and properly vented. When you have a broken ejector pit, bad ejector pit seals, clogged vent pipes, or a missing lid, you will find yourself dealing with unpleasant smells of sewer gas in your basement. Similarly, if you have a worn-down or clogged sump pump pit, you will have a sewage smell in your basement.

How to Address Ejector Pump Problems

If you suspect that the sewage smell in your basement is coming from issues with your ejector pits and pumps, our team of experts can inspect and address this promptly by replacing the seals, lids, or pumps or by clearing out the clogged pipes and vents. Likewise, if your sump pump is the culprit of the problem, our professional plumbers also offer sump pump repair services.

Sewer Smell in Basement Due to Damaged or Backed Up Sewer Lines

The smell of sewer gas could also be due to a sewage backup or break. A sewer line break will cause a smelly rotten egg smell to radiate in your home. Similarly, when you have a sewage backup, you will smell foul odours in your home but may also find yourself dealing with the unfortunate overflow of contaminated water coming out through your floor drains.

How to Resolve Damaged Sewer Pipes

To address this issue, you need to repair or clean your sewer lines. Our team of plumbers has a wide range of tools and materials to inspect, clean, and repair your sewer lines.

No matter what the problem is, we always start with a video camera sewer line inspection to pinpoint the issue at hand. Whether from clogged sewer lines or broken pipes, we will perform the proper repair method to get rid of that sewage smell in your basement.

Our licensed plumber can deal with a backed-up sewer line by performing hydro jetting sewer line cleaning. We also perform trenchless sewer line repairs and replacements by using hydraulics and epoxy sealants for any damaged or burst sewer pipes.

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing to Schedule Sewer Repair Services with Our Expert Team of Plumbers

When you notice a strong sewage smell in your basement, it's time to get in touch with our team of trusted plumbers for a variety of repair solutions. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Toronto, we offer a wide range of services, including sewage cleanup, sewer line repair, ejector or sump pit repair, and expert drain cleaning. Along with our sewer repair services, we offer expert advice and regular maintenance services to help prevent this issue from occurring again in the future. This includes preventative drain cleaning, routine inspections, and other proactive methods to make sure your sewer system is in top condition.

Whether you’re in Toronto or the nearby communities of East York or Beaches, contact today to schedule service with our professional plumbers.