Sanitary Sewer
Sewer Smells
If you are experiencing a sewer smell in areas of your home, it may be a clue that some of your home's vital systems aren't working properly.
Basement floor drains that have dried up will allow sewer gas to enter the home. These drains need to be checked and refilled with water. Pour a quart or two of water in these drains every week or so to keep them filled. Adding a tablespoon or two of vegetable oil or mineral oil to the water in the drain will slow down the evaporation of the water in the drain trap.
Frozen sewer vents can also produce sewer smell. Vents for the sewer system are located on the roof, usually above the rooms/facilities they serve. These vents, usually 2- inch diameter pipes, can freeze shut. Toxic gases and fumes can present a serious hazard when sewer vents become plugged with ice. If sinks, bathtubs and other plumbing fixtures don't drain normally, it may be another indication of ice build-up in the sewer vent.
One remedy for sewer vents that repeatedly freeze up is to insulate the vent pipe where it passes through the attic. Some fiberglass insulation wrapped around the pipe will probably do the job. Another remedy is to increase the size of the pipe through your roof. If floor drains and sewer vents are functioning properly and the sewer smell persists, contact the Public Works Department at 515-223-6231.