Why does it smell like sewage in a private house

The smooth operation of the sewage system is important for comfortable living in a private house. This system requires tightness of all joints and well-arranged ventilation. If something is broken, then there are violations in the work. The first signal of system malfunctions is the appearance of a characteristic odor. It is not only unpleasant, but also dangerous to health, therefore, it is required to immediately find and eliminate a defect in the sewage system. There are several reasons why it smells like sewage in a private house:

• pipe clogging;
• improper installation of the sewer system;
• absence or breakdown of a hydraulic lock;
• malfunctions with the fan pipe;
• sewage leakage.

Consider all the causes of odor and how to eliminate them.

Sewage blockage

Lack of drainage or slow discharge of water is often accompanied by a characteristic odor of sewage. The cause of the malfunction is a clogged siphon under the sink, a blockage in the pipe or the toilet. Overlap of the drainage system is due to the ingress of small objects, accumulation of fat and deposits on the walls. With the accumulation of debris in the old-style siphon, it can be unrolled and cleaned by substituting a container for draining dirty water.

Tip! In modern siphons have to remove the knee, completely unscrewing it.

Clogged pipes are cleaned chemically or mechanically.

1. The use of a plunger allows you to create additional pressure, pushing the blockage.
2. The steel cable, when introduced into the pipe, breaks the accumulated debris into small fractions, which are easily washed off.
3. When choosing a chemical preparation for dissolving accumulations in sewer pipes, you should take into account the material from which it is made. Cleaning agents are available in the form of gels and dry granules, the first option is preferable for cast iron pipes. The basis for chemical reagents are alkalis and acids. These are aggressive substances that require caution when used. Manufacturers always give advice on the use of cleaning products for pipe types and indicate the exposure time.

The combination of chemical and mechanical effects on garbage gives an effective result, and after softening with alkalis, it is easily penetrated by a plunger or cable. With complex blockages resort to the help of specialists. Prevention of sewage cleanliness is simple - it is necessary to put the nets on the drain holes and not allow any objects to be thrown into the sewage system. Pipes should be rinsed periodically with hot water.

Mistakes made during installation and their consequences

In the process of designing and installing the sewage system, the diameter of the pipes, their angle of inclination or other building codes and requirements may be incorrectly chosen. The installation of pipes under insufficient inclination or its complete absence does not allow the sewage system, through which the drains move by gravity flow, to operate normally. Excessive inclination leads to silting and disruption of hydraulic locks, the consequence is the penetration of odor from the waste system into the living room. This is the most unpleasant problem, it is solved in one way - a complete rework of sewer pipes.

Tip! For a pipe with a diameter of 110 mm, the optimal slope is 2 cm per 1 m, and for 50 mm it is 3 cm per 1 m length.

If a poor-quality pipe docking is detected, this can be corrected on its own. Coupling connection of plastic pipes is detachable and must be replaced, for reliability it is treated with a sealant. The joints of cast iron pipes are more difficult to handle, for this you need a special chisel, which caulk the edges of neighboring areas.

Lack of water in the water seal

To create a water trap, a siphon or a bent pipe is used, the knee of which is located below the discharge point. It establishes a barrier of tap water, preventing the penetration of odor from the sewer. When draining the water flows through the pipe, and is replaced by a new one. An effective system fails if:

• due to the rare use of a plumbing point, water in the knee dries out;
• there is a crack in the siphon;
• water plug is drawn inside the sewer.

What should I do if the fluid in my knee is dry? Drying of the water is easy to eliminate by opening the tap and dialing a sufficient level to resume the water seal. If there is a crack in the pipe or siphon under the sink, it is isolated with a sealant or replaced with a defect. The use of corrugations is convenient for the manufacture of the knee, but over time, the configuration of a homemade siphon can change. It is corrected by repeated bending of the elastic pipe with fixing the mounting plate.

On the inner walls of the corrugations accumulate deposits and bacteria multiply, which can cause an unpleasant smell. The pipe under the sink can be rinsed with a special tool and boiling water, and the corrugation for the toilet is inexpensive, so it is better to replace it, because it will not be very pleasant to wash it.

The disappearance of the water plug as a result of pressure changes in the sewer system occurs when ventilation fails. A waste pipe that removes gases to the street can become clogged with snow or its height is less than 4 m from the ground level, this leads to interruptions in the functioning of ventilation and pressure drops. Restoring the normal operation of ventilation, you will equalize the pressure in the sewer system and get rid of the unpleasant odor.

The pressure drop leading to the disappearance of the water plug also occurs due to the reduction in the cross section of the pipes located above. If someone on the lower floors drains water dramatically (flush the toilet, for example), then a vacuum is created in the pipe and the water lock is drawn into the sewer. This occurs as a result of the narrowing of pipes due to deposits on the inner walls. Accumulations can be reduced by using special solvent chemicals.

In winter, areas located on the street or in a cold room become covered with ice and block the waste flow. The elimination of ice is done by switching on hot water or laying heating cables. To avoid freezing, it is necessary to insulate the sewer pipes with penofol or mineral wool.

Another reason for the failure of the water seal is the angle of pipe installation, exceeding 15 ?. In this case, a fast stream of flowing water carries the water lock behind it and opens access to air from the sewage system. Such a defect is corrected by dismantling the pipeline and new competent installation of the system.

Leakage

The search for small leaks takes a lot of time, be guided by the intensity of odor and wet formations on the pipes. The main difficulty is that the hole may not pass moisture, if it is located at the top of the pipe, but the smell passes through it. We'll have to examine all possible branches of the highway. If a possible leakage location is found, apply a soap solution to the pipe and let the water in. If there is a hole, air will flow through it, which is noticeable through soap bubbles. A small leak in the plastic is eliminated with a sealant, cold welding is suitable for metal pipes.

Ventilation

In sanitary rooms high humidity, which promotes the growth of bacteria. To prevent the spread of unpleasant odors and get rid of excess moisture, you need good ventilation.

Natural ventilation can become clogged and reduce its effectiveness. Traction in the system is checked by putting a piece of paper to the hole from which the pipe is pulled out - if the flame leans towards the hole, then there is air movement, and if not, then the channel needs cleaning. The effect of natural ventilation is enhanced by the installation of fans forcing fresh air and discharging sewage odors.

All risers in the house are combined in a common ventilation system, and the exhaust pipe is installed on the roof. If the fan pipe is not installed, then a vacuum valve is required to be installed to prevent the shutter from disrupting. It opens to balance the pressure, and takes air into the system from the room, but does not release it back.

The sewage system in a private house provides for the use of a septic tank. When it is filled, the outlet of the outflow pipe is hidden by water, and the air from the system is directed to the accessible outlets. In order to avoid plums in the room, a fan pipe is needed, which will bring all gases and odors to the outside.

The appearance of sewage odor in the house has different reasons, but you can find and eliminate them yourself. Only then can you enjoy the pleasant smells of perfumery.

We recommend to read:

• how to clean the sewer at home;
• how to clean the sink in the kitchen.

Video

This video explains why the smell from the sewer in the house may appear: