Why care about the sewer line? Although we rarely ever think about it, the sewer line is the last part of your home that you want to have issues with. Once you’ve realized that there is an odor in your yard, your drains, or anywhere else in the area, chances are that you will realize that there’s something wrong with your sewer line. But how can you tell if your sewer line has a leak? Well, that’s what we’re here for! There are a few ways to tell if your drainage system is having issues or you’ve just forgotten to put the blue cheese away. If you do happen to find indications of big plumbing problems, we highly recommend that you call professional plumbers immediately. They are armed with the right tools and equipment to handle your problem with ease. Before we get here, however, here are the basics of sewer leaks:
Drain Odors After Prolonged Periods Away
Imagine this: You return home after a month in Europe, only to be greeted by a strange, musty scent. You know that you didn’t leave any food or garbage out and since the cat was over with your brother-in-law, it wouldn’t have brought in any rats. That’s when you realize that there’s something wrong. After looking around for the origin of the odor, you stop at the drains. If a strange odor is emitting from your drains after prolonged periods away, chances are that you have nothing to worry about. This is a very common ordeal that has nothing to do with drainage issues. There is a U-shaped pipe or a sideways P (known as the P-trap) underneath the sink. This is made to keep odors out of the sewer line by forming a barrier of water so you cannot smell sewer gas. What you have to do is run some water down the drain – with a bit of nice-smelling detergent, if you want – and the sink will return to its original state n no time!
Home Odor Remedies
If you’re facing a basic sewer odor issue, it is easy enough to get rid of the smell from the drain by following these few steps to clear out all the slime causing the odor. Try putting a few tablespoons of baking soda into the disposal, then following chasing it down with a few tablespoons of vinegar. You don’t need to use too much – just enough to start a reaction with the baking soda. After that, wait for up to ten minutes, then add boiling water to clear the residue out. Another thing that you may want to try is putting a slice of lemon into the disposal. If you do choose to do this, however, make sure that the piece is small enough for the disposal to handle.
Unexplained Strange Odors
If you’ve already checked every nook and cranny but can’t identify the source of the strange sewer odor, you may have a more major issue on your hands. Strange odors coming from your yard, in particular, can be a cause of concern. If there are things such as unexplained moisture, clogs, or backup from your drains, you will need to book the services of a professional plumber as soon as you can. One thing to remember is that you are responsible for the sewer lines underneath your house.
Fortunately for you, there are quite a number of plumbers who provide 24-hour emergency services when sewage leaks are too much to handle and you can’t wait until Monday. If it’s not a problem that you can solve on your own, refrain from trying to fix it until plumbers arrive. Experts have video pipe inspection equipment to identify a problem and help fix it so that you can enjoy a safe, pleasant home. With their help, you may find that you have a problem in your sewers or drain lines, or there are tree roots penetrating your pipes. Whatever the problem is, a good plumber will find it and ensure that you and your family’s health is well taken care of.
Morey PHC provides emergency plumbing repairs in San Diego, California. Get in touch today to see how we can help. We’re available 24/7!
