You work hard to make sure that you have a clean and attractive house. So when you start to notice foul smells wafting from one or more of the drains—unpleasant sewer odor smells—you’ll want to find out what’s wrong and have it taken care of right away.

There are a number of possibilities to explain bad smells coming from drains, ranging from simple problems you can fix yourself to serious repair issues that take the best in professional care and equipment.

Dried P-Trap

Is the bad smell coming from only one drain? And is it a drain in a sink that doesn’t often get used? Then the likely reason for the odors is that the p-trap in the sink has gone dry. The p-trap is the curved section of pipe directly under the drain, which contains a plug of water that prevents sewer odors from rising back up through the drain. Run water down the drain for a few minutes to restore the water plug, and that should stop the bad smells.

Blocked Drain Vents

To prevent the buildup of pressure inside the drainage system of a house, drain vents allow sewer gas to escape through openings on the roof. Should the vent pipes or the vents on the top of the house become blocked, it may force the sewer gas up through the p-trap and into the house. Professional plumbers will need to repair this.

Sewer Line Problems

The blockage or damage may go even farther down the plumbing system to the sewer line itself. If the sewer line develops blockage from root infestations, or the the line breaks, it will create a backup. Eventually sewage may start entering the house, but the first sign will be escaping sewer gas. This work requires special sewer cleaning or sewer repair/replacement services.

When you need drain and sewer help in Durham, NC, contact Bud Matthews Services. We’re ready 24/7 to assist you!