In some cases, foul odors from the basement drain could be a sign of bigger problems. If you notice a smell coming from your Pittsburgh home’s plumbing system, contact the sewer experts at Mister Sewer right away. For more than 25 years, the Pittsburgh plumbers at Mister Sewer have provided their sewer expertise and plumbing repair services in Brentwood, South Hills and all throughout the Pittsburgh area. Keep your pipes running smoothly all year long and contact the team at Mister Sewer today!

1. ELIMINATINGBASEMENT DRAIN AND SEWER SMELLS
An unpleasant smell coming from your basement can be alarming, especially if you don’t
know the source of the odor. Learning about some of the most common reasons for such
a problem may be helpful. If you explore a few of these possibilities and take measures to
deal with them, you could save yourself some money and time on more expensive repairs
later. Because misdiagnosing a potential sewer issue can lead to bigger problems than an
unpleasant odor, it’s always wise to consult a professional for assistance. An experienced
sewer repair professional can work with you to determine the source of your basement smell
in an efficient manner. Additionally, an experienced sewer repair technician will be able to get
started with fixing the problem as soon as possible.

2. 2 Eliminating Basement Drain and Sewer Smells
DRY WATER TRAP
A dried-out water trap is one of the most common sources of basement odor smells.
Fortunately, fixing this problem is generally easy to do. A water trap (which may also be
referred to as a drain trap or a plumbing trap) could be located underneath a wash basin or
a floor drain in your basement, and it might also be found underneath a laundry tub or a
washing machine. These traps contain water, which serves as a barrier to stop odors from
emanating through the drain and into a room. If such a trap becomes dry, it stops working
as intended.
If the odor problem in your basement stems from a dried-out drain trap, the fix should be
relatively simple. You can pour a few quarts of water into the offending drain. You may need
to do this in all of the drains in your basement if you cannot determine which trap is dry.
After you pour water down the drains, you might pour a tablespoon or two of vegetable oil
down each drain, as well. The oil will help to prevent the water in the drains from drying up
as quickly as it otherwise might.
The water trap is
where the water
is held in place by
gravity to act as a
barrier, preventing
the escape of
sewer gases. If a
plumbing fixture
is not used over a
month or so, the
water in the trap
will evaporate,
allowing noxious
odors to escape.

3. 3mistersewer.com
BLOCKED ROOFTOP
PLUMBING VENT
It is possible for a rooftop plumbing vent to become blocked by things like frost, snow, or
leaves. This might occur if you use an appliance or faucet that relies on hot water in the
basement. The steam could rise to the vent and cause frost or frozen leaves to block the
vent in cold weather. When the weather is warm, an insect nest or heavy leaves and twigs
could block a rooftop plumbing vent. If such a vent becomes blocked, it will no longer serve
as a means of eliminating certain plumbing odors from your home. A professional should
be able to assist you in determining whether a rooftop plumbing vent in your basement is
blocked.

4. 4 Eliminating Basement Drain and Sewer Smells
DRAIN LINE LEAK
UNDERNEATH THE FLOOR
DEFECTIVE TOILET
WAX RING SEAL
If a drain line underneath the floor begins to
leak, you may detect an odor as a result. If
this drain carries sewage, the smell could be
particularly unpleasant. A professional can
block the line for you to determine whether
this is the case. A sewage repair person may
need to block the outdoor line temporarily, in
order to isolate the cause of the problem. If
the problem is a leaking drain line, the line will
likely need to be repaired or replaced.
Another potential source of a basement drain
smell could be a toilet wax ring seal that has
become broken. This ring, located between
the toilet base and the toilet flange, may
begin to leak if the seal is broken. This could
be especially likely to happen if the toilet
rocks when it is being used. If this happens,
gas from the sewer can seep through the
seal, resulting in a noticeable odor. In such
a case, the toilet will need to be temporarily
removed, and the wax ring will need to be
replaced. The rocking toilet will also need to
be fixed, so it doesn’t continue to cause the
same problem.

5. 5mistersewer.com
If you have detected an unpleasant odor in your basement, your best course of action
is generally to contact a sewage repair professional. Trying to fix plumbing and sewage
problems without a professional can lead to the need for preventable repairs and expense,
in addition to getting the original problem fixed. A professional will have been trained to find
the source of the problem as quickly as possible, so you may once again enjoy an odor-free
basement and home.
www.mistersewer.com
Need a repair? Call 412-835-2135