It is pretty easy to recognize the smell of sewer gas, and it’s not a pleasant one. But does sewer gas produce more than just a bad odor? Does it present a danger?
There are several reasons why sewer gas will enter your home. Probably the most common reason is that some plumbing fixtures have started to dry out. If this is the case, you will likely notice the smell in bathrooms that aren’t used very often or when the weather is very dry. One example is if the plumbing trap dries out. A plumbing trap is meant to have a water barrier that will prevent sewer gas from going back into the home. When these dry out there is nothing to stop the gas from entering.
You may also experience a sewer gas smell if the home was constructed with the plumbing vents in close proximity to the air intakes, which will bring the smell into the home. Cracks that have developed in the foundation, ventilation pipes, or plumbing drains will cause this problem as well. It may also just be the airflow around the house that causes the odor to enter inside the home.
Is sewer gas dangerous? That will depend on the cause of the sewer gas leak. However, this type of gas can cause some very serious problems like sulfide poisoning, risk of explosion, fire, and asphyxiation, which would result from the gas displacing indoor oxygen. Do not ignore a sewer gas smell. Instead, make sure that you have the problem diagnosed by a qualified professional.