The smell from the sewer in the apartment: types of technical malfunctions and how to eliminate them

Violations of the functioning of apartment wiring

If the smell is felt only in places where hygiene appliances are installed, it can be assumed that it is caused by defects in the apartment wiring.

If an unpleasant smell appears in the room, it is worth first of all to inspect the wiring in the apartment, checking the tightness of the connections and the presence of implicit leaks

As a rule, a leak from a pipe is immediately visible, however, other, not so visually noticeable options are possible, which include the options described below.

The result of implicit leaks

In sewer systems made of traditional cast iron or plastic that is currently popular, fistulas, cracks, and other defects may appear.

Since pipes are often walled up in the walls or in the floor, it is quite difficult to identify and eliminate such defects. It is especially difficult to determine the flow in interfloor partitions with difficult access to the sewer system.

A leak in the sewer system often becomes a source of unpleasant odors. To eliminate it, you need to replace the damaged element or seal it with a special compound.

In the place where an unpleasant odor appears, as far as the conditions allow, immediately check the pipes and the places where they come into contact with the plumbing. If necessary, you should call a specialist who will diagnose and professionally solve the problem.

Usually, to eliminate leakage, the system is replaced or sealed with modern materials or a cement mixture that does not contain sand (for cast iron pipes).

In order to prevent such defects, when installing apartment wiring, you must not forget about the following rules:

• when installing communications, use only high-quality pipes and fittings;
• carry out laying according to a scheme that provides for a minimum number of joints, since leaks most often occur in such nodes;
• when installing pipes, provide access to the laid systems;
• take care of high-quality waterproofing of walls, floors in bathrooms, in the kitchen.

Such measures will provide effective protection against leaks, and, if necessary, will quickly eliminate the leak.

Lack of system tightness

The smell of sewage in a bathroom or kitchen can also be caused by a leak when connecting pipes or when they are docked with a sink, sink, or other plumbing fixtures.

Particular care must be taken when connecting sewer pipes. To prevent the release of moisture and odors, joints should always be treated with sealant.

It is important to carefully check the nodes connecting the devices to the sewer network, fix them, and then carefully treat them with sealant to eliminate minimal gaps and cracks. Often, such a simple manipulation allows you to get rid of the smell of sewerage both in bathrooms and in the whole apartment.

Sewer blockage

The most common reason for the appearance of a smell in the basement and in the apartments of the first floors is blockages in the sewer bed (horizontal pipe that combines several risers) and the outlet to the well.

Blockage may occur due to:

Sewer fouling. Fat that enters the sewage system when washing dishes settles on the cold walls of the pipes and gradually narrows the lumen of the bed;

Fat deposits on the walls of the sewer

• Dumping sand, construction debris, cat litter, etc. into the sewer. They accumulate in pipe sections with a minimum slope, and gradually create an obstacle insurmountable for liquid effluents;
• Rags, washcloths and other items that may end up in a basin or bucket when washing windows or floors into the sewer (usually through the toilet bowl).

A rag that has floated into the toilet is quite capable of creating a blockage

Symptoms of blockage are difficult to confuse with something:

One or more sections of the basement are flooded with water with a characteristic odor;

Drain flooded basement

• The water level gradually rises, or at least does not decrease (in the event that the inflow is equal to the absorbency of the soil);
• On the lower floors and in the basement, a large number of mosquitoes live, regardless of the time of year;
• Water flows onto the dirt floor of the basement from the open socket of the sewer tee or from the revision.

Clogged sewer line

elimination

The solution to the problem comes down to cleaning the sewer. Tool - sewer wire for cast-iron sewers; less durable plastic pipes compared to it (polypropylene and PVC) are best cleaned with a softer cable.

Cleaning a plastic bed with a sewer cable

The sewer is cleaned through the audit or tee closest to the proposed site of blockage. The wire or rope is fed into the pipe with continuous rotation of the handle.

When removing the cable after the water has left, it is better to continue to rotate it in the same direction: rotation will not allow a rag or other large debris to come off the hook and create a blockage in another section of the sewer.

We strongly advise you to clean the outlet to the well from the side of the basement, and not from the well. There are two reasons for that:

1. At the time of cleaning the blockage, effluents with a pressure of several meters will begin to flow into the well. It is far from always possible to have time to dodge the fetid jet;
2. Wells often become a place of accumulation of methane. The odorless gas displaces breathable air. As a result, a person descending into the well loses consciousness in a few tens of seconds from oxygen deficiency.

Take the warning seriously: dozens of plumbers die in wells every year.

The accumulation of methane in the well often causes accidents

Improper installation of communications

If the tenants who have moved into a new house do not feel a very pleasant “aroma” in the rooms, perhaps the builders or independent home craftsmen made mistakes when arranging the sewer system.

Due to violations associated with laying pipes - especially non-compliance with the angle of inclination, which is prescribed in the regulations, sewage in pipes can stagnate, causing a specific smell.

When laying the sewer system, it is important to comply with engineering requirements: all work must be carried out in strict accordance with current regulations

in a cardinal way getting rid of the stench there will be a complete replacement of communications with the laying of a new system in strict accordance with the technical specifications.

In some cases (when using metal-plastic pipes), the situation can be saved by adjusting the tightened pipe connections, replacing gaskets, installing specially selected sealing cuffs.

In order to prevent clogging, it is periodically required to flush the sewer system, the rules for which will be introduced by the article we have proposed.

Public sewer problems

If unpleasant odors are especially felt in rooms on the lower floors and in the entrance, the reason for their appearance most likely lies in the basement wiring.

The most obvious reasons are:

• damaged pipe with leaking sewage;
• blockage of the centralized system caused by the actions of residents who violate the accepted regulations for the operation of plumbing fixtures.

Problems that have arisen in the centralized communication system are considered an emergency. Liquid leakage not only poisons the air, but also promotes the development of microbes, causes dampness in residential premises, and undermines the foundation of the house, causing its destruction.

To resolve the situation, you should immediately contact the Management Company (ZHEK), writing a detailed statement about the situation that has arisen

After repairs, it is important to ventilate the basement well to eliminate accumulated moisture.

You can get rid of the negative smell in the apartments of the upper floors by simply strengthening the operation of the fan riser:

Ventilation

Most often, the characteristic smell appears due to problems with ventilation. What could be wrong:

• there is no ventilation at all;
• exhaust pipes installed incorrectly;
• insufficient ventilation power.

In order to get rid of the stench, it is necessary to install a fan riser in the house. This pipe is mounted between the plumbing installation and the septic tank itself. Through it, gases with an unpleasant odor are discharged. As a rule, the riser goes to the roof.

In some cases, only a fan pipe may not be enough. Then forced exhaust ventilation comes to the rescue. With its help, you can adjust the traction force, adjust to the desired level.

A common mistake during the installation of polymer tanks is the lack of exhaust holes in them or their insufficient number. Therefore, the problem of smell from a septic tank in the house is more likely to worry those who have Eurocubes installed. Solving it is simple: you need to drill additional holes through which the stench will be vented.

Lack of proper ventilation of the riser

If you live in the same apartment for a long time, the sewer smell problem may not arise for a sufficient amount of time. However, if after many years an unpleasant smell nevertheless appeared, the reason lies in the poor ventilation of the riser.

If the exit point of the riser is the attic, sloppy people could fill it up with garbage. People could simply not notice the riser and easily fill it with various rubbish. This is quite enough to limit the ventilation of the riser and the exhaustion of water seals. In this case, it is enough to simply check whether the riser is littered with debris and, if necessary, clear it. When the riser goes outside, it will be covered with ice. In such a situation, you need to remove it from the riser, and nothing will interfere with the passage of air. However, the causes of poor ventilation do not end there.

People living on the top floor could start a renovation. They can completely unconsciously remove the pipe, putting a plug in its place, and will not even suspect anything about the magnitude of their deeds. In this case, ventilation is completely absent.

The third reason is also the people living on the top floor. Suppose they know about the purpose of the riser, but do not fully understand it. For example, instead of a 110mm riser, they put a narrowed 50mm pipe. While the thinner tube has the aesthetic advantage, it is nowhere near as useful as its larger counterpart. When installing a thinner pipe, air entry into the riser is also disturbed.

In all such cases, you need to talk with your neighbors. Explain to them as clearly as possible what the riser is for and ask them to fix the problem.In case of misunderstanding on the part of the neighbors, it is worth contacting the local organization in which such issues are resolved. If in this case it is not possible to find success, you should write a complaint to higher authorities.

How to get rid of sewer smell in bathroom

The algorithm of actions will depend on the specific source of the spread of stench.

Carefully inspect the siphon for damage

To eliminate the smell coming from the drain or overflow hole, you can do the following:

1. If the stink is due to the water seal drying up, just open the cold water faucet. Fresh water will fill the system, the stench will disappear. A glass of vegetable oil will help to avoid the smell from the drain during a long absence of operation. Leaving, pour it into the drain hole, the oil film will prevent the evaporation of water. Upon returning home, we flush the system with a grease-corrosive agent, such as Fairy or Tiret.
2. If the reason is the siphon, unscrew it, rinse it, inspect it for damage. We also check the corrugation. When it is deformed, we return the necessary S-shape. In case of detection of lopin, we change it for new equipment.
3. The error made during the installation of the drain sewer can only be corrected by alteration. To solve the problem, you need to adjust the slope of the pipes.

Please note that the diameter of sewer pipes may change over a long period of active operation, lime and mud deposits settle there. Periodically, it is worth carrying out their preventive cleansing by store or home methods.

First of all, general cleaning will help to remove the sewer smell emanating from the enclosed space under the plumbing.

An untidy cabinet under the sink will also smell bad.

Often a musty aroma occurs due to condensation, water leakage when the tub or shower doors are not properly sealed to the walls.

1. We wipe the moisture accumulated in the far corners dry.
2. We pass silicone sealant along the seams and joints.
3. We treat surfaces with antiseptic, antifungal agents.

Possibly leaking sewer pipe connections. In this case:

1. We wash the joints, clean the dirt, mold. We wipe dry, determine the place of leakage.
2. We process the joints of plastic pipes with sealant, metal ones - we glue them with “Cold welding” or tighten them with a rubber clamp.

Carefully inspect the entire length of the sewer. Lopins, cracks in the pipe can lead to flooding. Do not try to cover them up, fill them with sealant or tighten them with rubber gaskets. The best option is to replace the drain equipment for new.

The disgusting stench from the toilet bowl can manifest itself even with its thorough hygienic treatment and maintenance of external cleanliness. Leaking joints of corrugations, sewer outlets, their slight perforation can let the smell through. Thoroughly rinse, wipe the equipment, look for a leak. Even if the damage is minor, over time, drops of water appear from it. After returning the system tightness, the smell goes away.

An incorrectly installed joint will let the stink into the apartment

The toilet cistern can also become a source of an unpleasant odor due to the accumulation of condensate and water stagnation. The problem is solved by thorough cleaning with a septic tank, cleaning the structural elements of the tank, and eliminating mold.

Giving the right shape and bend to the drain hose instantly allows you to create a water seal and remove an unpleasant odor.

Do not forget about the timely ventilation of the machine, cleaning the filter and powder compartments after each wash, which will prevent the appearance of smell in the machine.

Ventilation is designed to draw out bad odors and maintain an optimal level of humidity in the room. She herself can cause the spread of stench due to a breakthrough in the common house sewer located in the basement.

As an express measure, immediately close the ventilation grilles with polyethylene, fix with tape or masking tape. We submit an urgent application to the management company for repair work.

Other sources

In addition to plumbing equipment, wet rags, things, towels pushed into a corner under the bathroom can become the cause of a persistent musty smell.

The primary source of stench can also be a rotten laundry basket, water heater valves, stagnant water, lack of ventilation in the cabinet under the sink, and a dry shower curtain.

As a rule, thorough cleaning, removal of mold and fungal deposits, and ventilation solve the problem.

5 Ventilation problems - what can be done?

First, we check the hood: a piece of paper attached to the grate should not fall. Otherwise, the channels are clogged, they should be cleaned. We carry out such checks several times a year, without waiting for the smell to appear. An untimely noticed problem, especially in the bathroom, will lead to dampness and the development of fungus.

Cleaning the ventilation is easy. We remove the grate, clean it.Strong contamination is removed with detergents. We remove dust from the walls, scrape off dirt. Then we use the vacuum cleaner for about 5 minutes. We wipe the hole completely and put the grate in place.

Natural ventilation is not always able to provide proper air exchange, so a small fan is installed in it or a forced one is arranged.

Incorrect installation of the fan pipe, which is connected to the exhaust system, will create the smell of hydrogen sulfide in the house. It is brought to a height of 0.5 m above the roof, then odors will not penetrate into the premises.

Eliminate the cause of stink

First, try to identify the source of the foul-smelling fumes. It is not difficult to do this: the intensity of the amber sewer increases as you approach the source of the smell. If the problem lies in minor problems (a clogged siphon, cracks in the visible section of the pipe), you can solve it on your own. More complex cases are best left to specialists. When unpleasant odors bother residents mainly on the first floors of an apartment building, hover in the entrance and elevator, you need to look for a source in the basement. It is possible that a common sewer pipe has burst, sewage is flooding the basement, and this is damaging the building structures and apartments.

Installation of communications

It is possible to suspect improper installation of the sewer system in the event of the appearance of fetid fumes shortly after the replacement of plumbing equipment or a recent repair. Its normal functioning depends on the observance of the correct slope of the pipes. Insufficient slope angle contributes to poor outflow of water, stagnation of drains. Too strong a slope drains the water seal, removing the barrier to hydrogen sulfide masses from the central sewer.To avoid malfunctions in the operation of the drainage system, the master plumber installs communications according to the rule: each pipe diameter corresponds to a certain slope angle.

Another reason for the constant smell is a violation of the tightness of the pipeline. These can be cracks, thinning of rubber gaskets, insufficiently tight connection of the joints of the system elements. As a result, visible or hidden leaks are formed, from which drains and unpleasant odors seep into the apartments.

The solution to the problem is to replace the gaskets, seal the joints, repair or partially replace the pipeline.

Ventilation

Poor air exchange of the apartment leads to stagnation of air masses, the appearance of a heavy, musty smell. The reason may be a violation of the natural draft in the ventilation. Checking the draft is easy enough: bring a thin strip of paper to the vent. If the sheet "sticks" to the grate, then the air exchange in the apartment is sufficient. Otherwise, you should contact the ventilation service specialists to fix the problem.

Sometimes the sewer smell is strongest in an apartment on the top floor. To eliminate this problem, you should check the patency of the common sewer riser. It happens that the opening of the highway is clogged with debris that has fallen into it, and in winter the pipe leading to the roof can freeze. Some owners of apartments on the upper floors cut the riser during repairs, replace it with a new pipe of a smaller diameter, or put plugs, provoking a complete lack of ventilation.

Clogged or siphon problems

A common cause of bad sewer odor from drain holes is blockage.Over time, old pipelines become clogged with fatty deposits, soap deposits, hair, and small debris. The lumen of the pipe narrows, the rate of discharge of effluents decreases or stops altogether. Organic waste in warm, humid conditions begins to decompose, exuding a stench in the apartment. It is possible to restore the capacity of sewer pipes in various ways - from chemical solvents ("Mole", "Mr. Muscle") to mechanical cleaning with special devices (cables or more serious hydrodynamic equipment).

In addition to blockages, siphons can become a source of stench, or rather, the absence of a water seal (water plug), which closes the pipe lumen and prevents stench from penetrating through the siphon hole into the room. In multi-storey buildings, the water seal is broken due to the abrupt discharge of a large volume of liquid into the sewer, the drying of the water plug, and improper installation of plumbing equipment. Private houses are equipped with individual sewerage systems, in which there is an important sewage element - a septic tank. Here, the effluent is settled and processed with the help of special bacteria. When residents use a lot of disinfectants, aggressive household chemicals, or do not drain waste for a long time, the microflora of the septic tank dies. Poorly processed organic residues begin to rot, releasing hydrogen sulfide, methane and ammonia.

Incorrect installation of the sewerage system

If initially the sewer pipes are not installed correctly, then unpleasant odors will not take long. To get rid of them, you will have to install a new pipe, because of which homeowners will undergo severe inconvenience and financial costs.But things will be even worse when it turns out that the cause of the smell is the wrong slope of the pipes, which does not meet established standards. Therefore, everything that drains from the toilet does not move through the pipes as it should, but gets stuck in the sewer system, causing an unbearable smell in the toilet from the sewer. The only way out of this situation is to completely reinstall the pipes.

It also happens that the pipes are not tightly connected to each other. Coping with this problem is much easier than with the previous two: sealing cuffs are mounted on plastic pipe joints, and in the case of cast-iron pipes, the joints must be re-minted.

It is not recommended to independently troubleshoot problems due to poor installation of the sewerage system, since only a plumber who knows his business can successfully cope with such a complex job. Moreover, this is fraught with new negative consequences, where an unbearable smell may seem like “flowers” ​​compared to possible “berries”.

When installing sewer pipes, pay attention to the degree of slope

Malfunctions in the functioning of the water seal

An unpleasant odor can also occur due to problems with the siphon or water seal. The device is a curved pipe that is filled with water. It is under the plumbing fixture. The liquid in the siphon prevents the two spheres of gas from mixing, so that the smell from the toilet does not penetrate to the outside. But if the device malfunctions, the air passes from the sewers without any obstacles.

Recommended reading: Drawing up a sewer flushing act

The functioning of the siphon may be impaired for the following reasons:

• due to the increased pressure in the pipes located behind the water seal (then, along with the smell, liquid with bubbles will appear in the toilet);
• due to the fullness of the entire space of the sewer, due to which its contents fall into the siphon and cause an unpleasant odor.

If the sewer becomes clogged. the siphon will fill with sewage. In this case, the only way that can help is to clean the pipeline itself with a cable specially designed for this purpose.

When pipes pass through chilled areas, icing and blockage can occur in these places in winter. Then a few buckets of hot water poured into the toilet can help so that it melts the ice and the sewage can pass freely, and with it, the smell disappears.

It happens less often when the siphon fills up due to such a small diameter of the pipes that the waste liquids cannot pass further. Then the homeowners will only have to change the pipes.

A clogged water seal also causes odor to leak out of the toilet. Fats, debris and hair settle there, breeding bacteria and spreading stench. Such a reason, which does not require special skills and abilities, can be eliminated independently. For this purpose, a special device is made, the so-called “doll”: a bag is sewn from dense fabric that can pass into the toilet, filled with sand and tightly tied with a rope from above. The finished “doll”, holding the rope, is lowered into the toilet and water is poured into it several times. It is desirable that the doll goes into the depth of the toilet bowl as far as possible.With the help of water pressure, it will clean the siphon well. At the end, they simply pull it out with a rope and throw it away. The water seal is now clean.

Another reason why the toilet smells like sewer is if the toilet has not been used for a long period of time. In this case, the water in the siphon dries up and the blockage of air from the sewerage system is canceled, as a result of which a stench appears in the apartment.

Checking the water seal in the sewer

Pipe leaks

If the pipes start to leak, then this can also cause an unpleasant odor. Sometimes it can be very difficult to notice this, since the traces of leakage are almost invisible. To conduct a quality inspection, all pipes are checked using a flashlight

Particular attention should be paid to the places of their joints. To prevent this problem from occurring:

install only high quality pipes in your apartment;
carry out waterproofing in the toilet room;
when installing the pipeline, pay attention to the number of joints: they should be as few as possible;
It is not recommended to install communications in hard-to-reach places.

Sources and causes of bad breath

The formation of unpleasant sewer odors is influenced by many factors: the tightness of the water supply and discharge system, the presence and cleanliness of ventilation openings, the serviceability of household appliances located in the bathroom.

Where does the smell come from

An unpleasant smell is caused by a mixture of ammonia, sulfur, methane and other decomposition products that have accumulated in the sewer system.

A leaky pipe is one of the causes of an unpleasant smell.

The stench can enter the room for the following reasons:

• violation of the tightness of the drain system;
• malfunctions (perforation, stretching) of the siphon;
• the formation of stagnation of drain water in the pipeline (as a result of the lack of pipe inclination);
• the occurrence of blockage;
• drying of the water seal due to the lack of operation of the sink for a long time;
• increased humidity in the room, accumulation of condensate due to insufficient ventilation or its obstruction;
• finding a source of stench in the general house ventilation system, problems with the general sewerage system;
• narrow diameter sewer pipes (rarefied air in the system literally “sucks in” the water seal);
• connection of a washing machine with violations, lack of a water seal;
• household pollution in the form of "suffocated" rags, sponges, items of clothing that are wet and tumbled behind a bathtub or washing machine.

Main problem areas

If the apartment smells like sewage, you need to determine the source of the stink, to accurately determine how to eliminate it.

Long unwashed clothes are also a source of stink.

It can be:

• drum or drain of a washing machine;
• bottom or side hole for draining water;
• toilet;
• basket with dirty linen;
• space under the sink, bathroom, behind the washing machine;
• ventilation system.

Advice! Before you start looking for the source of the spread of stench, ventilate the room, wipe the condensate under the bathroom, washbasin, pipes, and at the joints. So it will be easier to identify a problem or damaged area.

Causes of stench in the apartment

The reasons for the appearance of an unpleasant smell of sewage in a new apartment may be violations in the system for removing domestic wastewater from the apartment.

Breakdown in the sewer - the cause of an unpleasant smell in the apartment

The whole range of problems that arise with the system for removing domestic wastewater from apartments in an apartment building can be divided into 2 large groups:

• breakdowns and malfunctions of the general sewerage system;
• breakdowns and malfunctions of the intra-apartment wastewater collection and disposal system.

Sometimes the problem of stench is hidden in malfunctions and breakdowns of the basement waste collection system, namely, in damage to one of the pipes of the basement wiring. In the event of such a breakdown, sewage flows outward, which contributes to the spread of stench along the entrance to the lower floors.

Fixing pipe leaks with clamps

In addition, the cause of the stench may be the formation of a blockage in the system when residents violate the rules and regulations for using the sewerage system.

Breakdowns in the basement piping system can threaten the appearance of a stench along the porch and in apartments located on the lower floors of the house, the formation of an increased level of dampness in the premises. An increase in the dampness of the basement contributes to the development in apartments located on the lower floors of the house, mold and fungal infection of the walls.

In addition, water entering the basement from the sewer contributes to damage to the structure of the building. All this requires the prompt elimination of emerging breakdowns of the sewage system, as well as failures in its operation.

Bad smell from basement

Since the general house sewerage is run by the public utility, in the event of a malfunction in the operation of pipelines, you should contact such an organization with a statement for the prompt elimination of breakdowns and malfunctions.