If you  notice a rotten egg smell in your house, and not because you haven’t taken out the trash in a while, you likely have a plumbing problem that needs attention.

The rotten egg smell is hydrogen sulfide, a gas that comes from decaying organic matter or raw sewage. Temporary low level exposure to some sewer gas can lead to eye irritation and respiratory issues that should go away once you get away from the gas. But that is least of your problems when you smell raw sewage gas.

What you need to know if you smell sewer gas 

If you smell sewer gas , hydrogen sulfide is a colorless order less gas that can cause eye irritations and raspatory issues for everyone in your home including pets. You don’t have to leave your home but getting outside air can help. Open windows and doors to let air in and get away from the area with the smell while you figure out what you need to do. Once your home is aired out the symptoms may dissipate.

If you are exposed  to hydrogen sulfide temporary exposure will not have any harmful permanent affects. Long-Term exposure to any toxic gas can result in fatigue , dizziness, and headaches. High levels of the gas would not likely be found in they typical home.

But a soon as you smell the rotten egg smell , you need to contact a professional plumber to get to the bottom of the issue as soon as possible. Sewer gas including hydrogen sulfide are not only toxic but explosive.  Calling a professional plumber like Streamline Plumbing can pinpoint the reasons for the gas smell and fix the problem before it becomes worse.

When to a call a Plumber if you smell sewer gas

If your are smelling hydrogen-sulfide, it could be a minor issue such as a dried out water seal in a floor drain. You could also have a much more serious problem like a blocked , broken, cracked or deteriorated sewer pipe. Raw Sewage smells usually comes through your home via vents throughout your house.  Broken or deteriorated pipes are not visible and so the smell of rotten eggs is a good indicator that there is a plumbing problem that needs attention. 

The smell of raw sewage is strongest nearest to the floor level area near floor drains. The smell may seem to come and go or you may even become a accustomed to the smell. However the smell may come and go but the underlying plumbing issue is still there and needs attention.

A professional plumber can diagnose the problem and recommend the repairs needed. 

What are the causes of Sewer Gas Smell 

The most common cause of sewer gas smell in your home is a leak withing your plumbing system. Even small leaks in your plumbing can lead to much larger plumbing issues. Another common reason for sewer smell is that your pipes or plumbing system was not installed properly or have been damaged in some way. Also like everything else your sewer line pipes deteriorate over time. An annual inspection by a professional plumber and diagnose any small leaks to avoid the problems getting worse. 

All plumbing fixtures and pipes should have a sewer gas trap installed. Sewer gas traps may not have come with your originally plumbing installation but can be added at a later date. These traps allow wastewater to leave the house but blocks sewer gas from getting in.  Streamline Plumbing can add sewer gas traps to your current plumbing system, call today for a free estimate.

How to prevent sewer gas smell in your home 

You can prevent plumbing problems including sewer gas smells from your home by doing a few things to take care of your plumbing. Most people never really think about plumbing until its to late and you are now in a desperate situation. As a home owner thinking ahead a planning can save you time and money.

Prevent Clogs

Don’t dispose of anything down the drain or toilet that doesn’t go there. Never send grease down a garbage disposal for a example. Use the trash can rather than the toilet to dispose of things like feminine hygiene products and dental floss. Make sure all your drains have traps like hair traps for the shower drain to prevent a clog in your shower. 

Run the Water

For rarely used plumbing like a guest bath that isn’t used all the time, the pipes get dry from non-use and are prone to leaks and cracks. Run the water occasionally  in between guests. If you notice the sewer smell from that particular bath run some water before you call a plumber to see if that helps and the smell goes away. 

Clean the Drain 

Even though you have taken all other precautions by using your trash and compost to dispose of things like grease, and use drain traps to to catch hair drains inevitably get backed up from soaps, lotions, detergent, and what ever small children put down the drain.  If you notice a foul odor or your drain is slow moving , you may just need to clean the drain. You might be able to do this on your own with a home drain snake, the metal wire that goes down the drain with  its grab hook at the end to catch the clogged items. You can also use enzyme cleaners or drain cleaners for a short term and fast drain cleaning. For more stubborn clogs you should call a plumber to remove the clog since trying to remove a deep clog with home remedy’s can cause more harm than good.

If you notice a sewer or rotten egg smell in your home you should call Streamline Plumbing. Streamline Plumbing had been Orange county’s premier for over 25 years. we have the latest equipment and trained staff to locate and repair all your plumbing and sewer needs. We offer annual inspection services and second opinions on all plumbing jobs. No job is to small call today if you smell rotten eggs and suspect a plumbing issue in your home.