Pipe Layout (Photo credit: William Herron)
When waste decays inside your sewer pipes, the consequences can be severe. Rotting waste and residue can cause gases such as hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and methane to leak into your residence, potentially leading to severe health ailments—from headaches and memory loss to poisoning and asphyxiation—as well as home fires and explosions.
If you believe your home or office is experiencing a sewer gas leak, it’s important to contact a professional immediately. This isn’t something that can be put off.
To help you determine if you have a severe problem on your hands, we’ve outlined some of the common causes of sewer gas leaks:
1) Sewer or Septic-Pipe Leaks
Your pipes could be leaking from rust, corrosion, a blockage, holes in the pipes or pipe joints, and/or the vents might not be located in the correct spots.
2) Toilet Sewer Gas Leaks
The seal on your toilet might be slipping due to anchor bolts not being attached properly or an old wax ring that needs to be replaced.
3) Drain Traps
If your drain traps become dry or clogged, they can pass sewer gas into your residence. This issue can become exacerbated when it’s cold outside or when vents diminish a building’s indoor air pressure.
4) Roof Vent Pipes
Make sure that you check all of the vents on your roof to keep them free of leaves, animal nests or ice. When moisture enters the pipes after washing clothes or bathing, it can freeze and cause blockage, ultimately causing your home to be exposed to sewer gas.
5) Partial Septic Blockage
If your pipes become clogged, they can produce an odor both inside and outside of your home. You’ll usually notice the smell during times of heavy water use or if it’s very windy outside, because the gas will be forced toward areas that it would not normally occupy.
6) Frozen Septic Fields
If a septic system is not in use for long periods of time, it’s quite possible for it to freeze. When this happens, the ice often clogs your whole septic system, causing it to back up completely. This normally transpires in the lowest area of the home, which often is the basement.
If you suspect the levels of sewer gas in your home are extremely high, you and your family should leave the premises immediately and contact the fire department. Don’t turn on appliances or light matches; even a small spark could cause an explosion or a fire. Afterwards, if you are located in or near Allen, Dallas, or Plano, TX, C&W Plumbing would be happy to help fix your sewer leak and ensure your home or office is safe.
