Plumbing system odors are annoying to say the least, but the worst part is that these are usually a sign of a bigger problem lurking within your plumbing system. If you have any strange odors in your home emanating for your plumbing fixtures or if you just think that they are, call a professional plumber right away to come to your home and diagnose your problem. There are actually several causes of odors that result from your plumbing system, so let us look at some of the most common and what the root problem might be in each case.
First, would be a buildup of food in your disposal. If your smells are coming from your kitchen sink, this might require cleaning. In addition to the accumulation of food itself, the process of chopping your food into tiny little bits could leave behind bacteria that can accumulate and cause a foul smell. You can try to run hot water and fragrant dishwashing liquid down the disposal to see if you can get rid of the small by yourself. Should this fail, you may need a plumber to help clean the unit.
A crack in the drainpipe of your home is one of the most serious causes of home odors. The sewer gasses that escape into your home through the crack can smell like rotten eggs. This is a very unpleasant smell and a problem that should be repaired swiftly. Do not delay, call a plumber immediately. If the smell if persistent and does not abate from time to time and return, the problem is more than likely to be inside your home. If the smell is occasional, meaning that it will abate and then come back from time to time, then the crack is probably below the ground level. It will probably take a camera inspection to locate the exact spot where the crack exists in such a scenario.
Another possible cause of home plumbing odors is a blockage to your vent pipe. This is the pipe that extends through your roof and allows plumbing system gasses to escape into the air. Should this become blocked, via leaves or even something as unusual as a bird basing his next on your pipe, the impediment to the proper air flow through your plumbing system could result in causing the trap seals to some plumbing fixtures to function improperly. This in turn would cause gasses to escape through the improperly sealed fixtures and into your home.
So there you have a few of the common reasons for odors that come from your plumbing system. There are others, and a plumber can help you to understand them upon inspecting your home. It is not recommended that you attempt to pinpoint and repair these types of problems yourself. While there are many types of plumbing repairs that a person skilled with a few basic tools can undertake successfully, these types of repairs can be complex and you might need the assistance of a professional licensed plumbing contractor.
