Why Does My Bathroom Sink Smell Like Sewer Gas

The bad news is that any number of things can cause a sewage smell in your bathroom and it can be difficult to pinpoint the source of the odor.

Why does my bathroom sink smell like sewer gas.

Besides the obvious unpleasant smell the methane in sewer gas can actually be flammable in large quantities and breathing it in can be hazardous to your health. The possible reason is clogging of the pipe that leads to dry p trap. Sometimes the plumbing problem causing the sewer gas smell is caused by your septic tank. So what is the p trap and why do you need it.

Before you contemplate about calling a plumber you can always try to use cost effective measures. As discussed above the issue could be brought about by a dry p trap or a clog. It s the section of piping underneath your sink that is shaped like a u. Sewer odors originating from your septic tank may be due to a clogged drain that caused the pipes to dry out a faulty pump that no longer replaces old wastewater with new a blocked vent system or frost or ice buildup on the outdoor plumbing vent.

It s smart of you to address the offensive odor right away though. It occurs most often in guest bathrooms that don t receive much use. When the vents are blocked flushing a toilet can create sufficient vacuum to suck water out of the trap and allow sewer gases into your home. The water in the drains traps evaporates and isn t replaced giving sewer gas free entrance into your home.

One common cause of sewer gas leaks comes from damage to your sewer or septic pipes. The first reason you could be noticing a sewer gas smell in bathroom has to do with the water in your bathroom s p trap evaporating which leaves the room susceptible to odors. A rancid odor coming from your sink drain may just be coming from debris in the p trap but if it smells like a sewer it probably means venting problems in your drain system. Prolonged exposure to sewer gases can cause nausea.

This is not only irritating but it can also be a health hazard. Common blockages tend to be caused by tree roots grease and items that shouldn t have been flushed down the drain. In most cases if you smell sewer like gas in your bathroom sink there is an odor escaping through your drainage system. A sewer gas smell in your bathroom drains is more than just unpleasant.

In some cases inhaling high levels of sewer gas can lead to health problems. Sometimes it happens that the sewer smell in the bathroom comes from the sink. It can also be a health and safety hazard. Sewer smells the plumbing in your house is designed to contain harmful gases flush away sewage and provide you with clean and potable water.