How to eliminate sewer odor in an apartment: a review of means and methods

Owners of private houses and city apartments know that most often an unpleasant odor spreads from the sewer system in a city apartment. Unpleasant odors spread unhindered from the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet.

Such a nuisance arises suddenly and spoils the mood of the inhabitants of the house. What are the reasons for this phenomenon, and how to eliminate the smell from the sewer in an apartment?

Causes of the problem

Most often, the unpleasant odor comes from sewer pipes. Therefore, first you should check their condition, especially the joints. There shouldn't be any damage. If the sealing is poor, unpleasant odors may appear. In this case, the connection must be supplemented.

If this is not the problem, then it may be the water seal. You can check it by listening to the sounds of water draining. In the case of gurgling and rustling, this is where the problem lies. This indicates that there is no liquid in the water seal.

The smell may occur due to a vacuum plug in the riser, its length being too long, or sudden turns of the connections. The problem also occurs due to insufficient ventilation in the sewer. This problem cannot be solved on our own. In this case, it is necessary to call plumbers who will carry out a set of measures to correct the situation. Then the sewer smells will disappear.

Check the condition of the corrugated pipe or siphon, depending on what you have. It happens that in siphons a shortened partition creates a water seal that is too small, sometimes allowing liquid to pass through. The problem can be solved extremely easily - the part must be replaced by purchasing a new one.

If you have a corrugated pipe and there is an unpleasant smell of drains, then this happened due to unbending. The best solution to the problem is to replace it. In the meantime, while the new pipe has not yet been purchased, you can return the old one to the desired position using electrical tape. But this is a temporary solution.

If you are unable to determine the cause of the unpleasant odor and it is impossible to eliminate it, you should contact a plumber.

Causes of sewer smell

There are several main reasons that lead to unpleasant sewer odor:

violations of the system arrangement when installing a sewerage system in the house;
the appearance of various leaks in the sewer system;
troubles with the water seal or lack of a working water seal;
the appearance of blockages in sewer pipes;
problems with ventilation

Attention! A significant problem will be the sewerage system, which is made with serious violations, which will lead to problems with its functioning.

During the installation process, the builders used low-quality pipes; after a short period of time, fistulas will appear on them, as a result of which they will gradually begin to crack.
Problems also arise when the connection areas are of poor quality, and the siphons may not be connected properly.
A sewer smell occurs in an apartment on the top floor even if the slope is incorrectly determined when installing plumbing. Such problems lead to stagnation of dirty water and the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Getting rid of unpleasant odor

Although the problem causes great inconvenience for the owners and guests of the house, getting rid of it is quite simple. Let's figure out how to remove odor from sewer pipes. There are two options: using special tools and household methods.

Use of special means

The first step is to clean the sink drain hole. Sometimes the smell is caused by a build-up of grease and food that is starting to rot. This is a very common problem. There are special chemicals to solve this problem.

Popular remedies for odor in pipes:

Domestos;
"Mole";
Unicum;
“Chistin” and so on.

They are all similar in composition and effectiveness, but it is advisable not to buy the cheapest one. When using a chemical, you must wear rubber gloves; you should be careful not to get the substance on open areas of the body or in your eyes. Once the treatment has been completed, you need to flush the pipes. Also don't forget to ventilate the room.

Household methods

How to get rid of the smell in pipes without resorting to chemicals? You can use household methods that require only improvised means.

One of the simplest options is to pour a moderate amount of table salt into the drain hole. After some time it needs to be washed.

There is another way to eliminate the smell from pipes in the bathroom. You need to add two tablespoons of soda to a liter of boiling water, mix and pour into the drain hole. The water should not cool down.

You can remove odors using slaked soda. To begin with, soda is poured into the drain, and a little vinegar is poured there. The hole must be tightly closed and wait about half an hour. Then you need to thoroughly rinse the drain hole.

Any of the above actions is suitable not only for eliminating the problem of unpleasant odor, but also for prevention. Therefore, they can be performed on a regular basis, for example once a week.

Why does there be an unpleasant odor from sewer networks?

There may be a sewer smell in your apartment for several reasons; you can fix some faults in the utility networks yourself.

Problems with the general sewer system at home

The following reasons may contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant odor:

Improper installation of sewer pipes. If the norms are ignored, the system cannot work normally. When pipes are laid at an incorrect angle, wastewater stagnates, which allows foul-smelling gases to penetrate into apartments. This problem can also arise when replacing an old pipeline with a new one.
Faults in the basement sewer system. When a pipe is damaged, wastewater leaks out, emitting a strong odor. In this case, there is a sewer smell on the lower floors of the building.
General system clogged. Occurs when large debris is dumped into plumbing fixtures that are not intended for this purpose. In this case, not only does a stench appear, but pathogenic microorganisms also spread.

Problems with the operation of sewerage networks in an apartment

If sewerage stinks in the bathroom and toilet rooms, the reasons lie in malfunctions of the apartment drainage system.

Blockage in the drainage pipe.

These include:

Pipeline damage. Metal elements corrode, causing leakage. Even a small hole allows foul-smelling gases to pass through. Damaged areas may be embedded in walls or floors and may not be easy to identify. Less commonly, cracks and chips occur on plastic pipes.
Incorrect operation of the water seal. All drains located under bathtubs and kitchen sinks should be checked. They look like curved pipes containing a certain amount of water. When the siphon overflows with waste, the water seal drains into the sewer. A dry appliance cannot prevent gases from entering the room.
Increasing pressure in the system. If this indicator exceeds the normal value, gases begin to enter the apartment. This situation can arise with a one-time discharge of a large volume of water, due to which the water seals are deprived of a water barrier.
Clogged sewer pipe. Contributes to improper operation of drainage devices and the release of gases into the room.
Clogged drains. Household waste stagnating in the flask begins to decompose, emitting an unpleasant odor. Water flows slowly, which prevents it from flushing the system.
Installation of pipes of the wrong diameter. If neighbors on the top floor are renovating and using smaller elements, in winter there will be problems with ventilation of the drain pipe. The siphon seal may disappear when the toilet is flushed.
Clogged drain hoses of washing machines and dishwashers. Contaminated areas become sources of fungus and mold. Particles of food, tissue, and hair contribute to clogging of hoses. They begin to decompose, emitting an unpleasant odor.

The constant penetration of sewer smell is fraught not only with discomfort, but also with the development of chronic diseases among residents.

Why are sewer gases dangerous?

The consequences of the spread of fetid gases in the apartment are:

Damage to property. The sewer smell disturbs residents and is absorbed into furniture, decorative wall decoration, clothing, and food products. It is difficult to eliminate; air fresheners with a pronounced aroma only temporarily solve the problem.
Poisoning of residents. When food waste breaks down, toxic methane gas is formed, which negatively affects human well-being. If large volumes of the substance are released, an explosion may occur. No less dangerous is hydrogen sulfide contained in wastewater.
Development of chronic diseases in residents. Fungus and bacteria that spread when the sewer is clogged cause allergic reactions, dermatological pathologies and asthma.

How to get rid of odor - tips

If the condition of the pipes and siphon is normal, but there is still an unpleasant odor, then most likely the problem is the evaporation of water in the water seal. In this case, it is necessary to use the tap more often.

If you are planning to leave for a long time, it is recommended to fill the waterproofing oil in advance. A machine is best suited for this task. It evaporates slowly, so the waterproofing will not dry out. Even after not using the faucet for a long time, there will be no smell.

How to get rid of smell from sewer pipes? A special siphon must be installed on the drain. It will not affect the functioning of the system in any way, but the one-way valve will do its job. The siphon sometimes gets clogged. If chemicals are used, it is advisable to change the gaskets in the pipes.

Methods for improving the smell in an apartment

You have fixed all the problems with the pipeline, increased the ventilation of the premises, but the heavy, musty smell is still noticeable. At the last stage of the struggle, add products that have a pronounced pleasant aroma. Aromatherapy will help improve the atmosphere of the apartment, fill it with comfortable tranquility, or, conversely, add vigor and a feeling of celebration.

Store flavors

On the shelves of retail chains you can find many products for aromatizing the air in the apartment. These can be sprays, diffusers (transparent bottles with aromatic liquid and bamboo sticks inserted into it), scented candles, aroma lamps with essential oils, automatic sprayers. Their purpose is to make the indoor air pleasant to our sense of smell. All of them mask bad sewer fumes, but do not affect the source of their occurrence. Neutralizers and absorbers of unpleasant odors stand separately. They are small devices filled with some kind of absorbent component. Air enters the neutralizer through numerous holes, where it is cleaned of harmful impurities.

Strong-smelling products at hand

Folk remedies will help make your home atmosphere more comfortable. Rooms with high humidity can be refreshed by placing small containers filled with coarse sea salt mixed with a few drops of any essential oil. Salt will remove excess moisture, and essential oil will fill the room with a light aroma. Coffee beans, citrus peels, and dry herbs have a rich aroma. They are poured into bowls or packaged in sachets made from natural fabrics.

Placed in different parts of the home, such environmentally friendly fragrances will give the apartment a subtle, subtle smell.

Cleaning

Thorough cleaning and regular ventilation of the premises will help improve the air in your home. Modern cleaning products successfully remove any dirt from plumbing fixtures. Apply the cleaning gel to the earthenware surface of the toilet bowl - it will instantly dissolve the limescale deposits. Antibacterial components of detergents suppress the proliferation of microorganisms and prevent the appearance of unpleasant stench from the bathroom. Don’t forget about preventing blockages: cover the drain holes of the kitchen sink or shower stall with special meshes - this will protect the siphons from small debris. At the first signs of blockages, try to clean the siphons with any preparation that dissolves organic matter. They are produced in the form of a solution, thick gel, and dry granules. Otherwise, the unpleasant smell of sewage will fill the house.

Get rid of excess dampness: after washing, leave the washing machine door ajar, do not dry laundry in the apartment, and equip the bathroom with additional ventilation. If you have pets, keep the litter box clean. Change the filler more often, disinfect the tray and the floor around it. Special aerosols will help neutralize the smell of urine.

The article has been verified by the editors

Other ways to eliminate odors in sewer pipes

There is an easy way to remove the smell from a bathroom pipe using powdered mustard. A small volume of it is poured into the drain hole, where boiled water is then poured. You just need to wait a little and the problem will be solved.

To eliminate unpleasant odors, you can use ready-made products, they can be liquid or powder. You can find them in any household store. The cost of such funds is low.

A diluted bleach solution is an excellent remedy for odor in bathtub pipes. If you need to temporarily and quickly solve a problem, then air fresheners are an excellent solution.

All of the above methods are simple to implement and effective, so there is no need to call a plumber. It is enough to use the means at hand and remove the unpleasant smell from the sewer system in the house.

Why does my apartment smell like sewer?

An unpleasant smell from the sewer system is the result of improper installation of plumbing, leaking pipes in the common house wiring, clogged siphons, and incorrect operation of the ventilation system. Different methods of struggle are required. In some cases, you will be able to eliminate the smell on your own, while in others, you will have to turn to professionals.

Incorrectly installed communications

If the sewer system in the bathroom is installed incorrectly, it is easy to determine the source of the smell. If it is localized only in the bathroom, the reason for this may be:

Leaking from sewer pipes. The smell of dampness and sewage is often associated with leaks at the junction of siphons and sewers. A problem is indicated by the presence of a wet spot under the bathtub or sink.
Leaky connections. In half of the cases, the cause of the smell is a leaky connection between the toilet and the pipe connecting to the public sewer system.

If the smell in the bathroom is due to improper installation of communications, you should:

disconnect the pipes;
replace deformed rubber gaskets or fittings;
connect sewer pipes;
coat the joint with silicone or acrylic sealant.

When installing sewer and water supply networks, it is recommended to use only high-quality consumables - pipes, fum tapes, fittings, clamps, rubber gaskets.

Poor quality plumbing

If the plumbing is made of low-quality materials, it quickly fails. In this case, the cause of the smell from the sewer is:

microcracks in fittings;
burst sewer pipes;
faulty water seals.

In such a situation, plumbers must deal with the problem. To prevent the problem in the future, it is recommended to use thick-walled sewer pipes and high-quality siphons. Cheap fittings quickly rust, which causes depressurization of the system. Therefore, experts advise using brass connections, which have high corrosion resistance.

Problems in the public network

If a wastewater leak occurs at the level of common building networks, there will be an unpleasant smell on the lower floors of an apartment building. Cracks in the riser are indicated by:

foul odor from the basement;
wet wall behind which the pipeline passes;
dampness in the bathroom.

It is impossible to cope with the problem on your own. If you suspect a malfunction in the general building network, you should call workers from the housing office, who must identify and repair the breakdown.

A leak in a common sewer pipe cannot be ignored. Dampness in the bathroom will lead to the formation of mold, which poses a health threat.

The reason is the siphon

A water seal, or siphon, is an essential component of the sewerage system, which prevents gases from entering the room from the drain. If it malfunctions, an unpleasant odor appears in the bathroom or kitchen.

You can repair water seals to get rid of odor yourself:

unscrew first the lower and then the upper clamping nut connected to the sink;
old rubber gaskets and O-rings are replaced with new ones;
during assembly, the gasket adjacent to the sink is coated with silicone sealant;
Reassemble the water seal in the reverse order.

In case of replacement, it is recommended to use barrel or pipe siphons. They hold the water column better, which prevents odors from the sewer pipes from entering the bathroom.

Poor performance of ventilation systems

If your bathroom smells like sewer, it is often due to faulty ventilation ducts. Old apartment buildings use natural ventilation, which does not have air intakes or blowers. To check the serviceability of the ventilation system, you need to attach a paper strip to the ventilation grille. The absence of oscillations of the strip indicates poor traction.

There are two ways to improve air exchange in the bathroom:

eliminate blockages in the ventilation duct;
install forced supply and exhaust ventilation.

With natural ventilation, air exchange occurs due to the difference in air pressure in the apartment and outside. But in the warm season it is minimal, so during this period odors from the sewer make themselves felt.

Incorrect use of the washing machine

The washing machine causes a smell in the bathroom or kitchen. It appears in the following cases:

incorrect connection of the drain hose to the sewer;
clogged drain pump filter;
hydraulic valve malfunction.

How to remove sewer smell:

the drain hose is connected directly to the siphon under the sink or bathtub;
the filter is cleaned of plaque and dirt;
“run” the machine idle with citric acid (at least 300 g of citric acid is added to the tray).

To prevent water from stagnating in the drain hose, it must approach the siphon at an angle. Since most pumps for pumping water out of the machine are low-power, it is advisable that it drains by gravity.

Blockage

A blockage is an obstruction of sewer pipes associated with the accumulation of dirt or grease deposits in them. The problem is indicated by:

unpleasant smell from the sewer;
slow outflow of water from the bathtub or sink;
gurgling in the drain.

To eliminate the problem, use a plunger (kvach), special tools or chemicals - gels, solutions, powders.

How to quickly eliminate odor

The lack of water in the toilet water seal can be detected with the naked eye. To remove an unpleasant odor, simply drain the water, creating a clean water plug. If the water level in the drain remains low, then the problem lies in improper installation (siphon, drain pipe, etc.).

If the problem persists after filling the water seal, then the ventilation and sewer systems should be cleaned. If you suspect a leak, you should inspect the joints and then wrap them with toilet paper. A change in the color of the adsorbent will indicate a depressurized connection.

If home measures have no effect, it is necessary to call specialists who will determine the area of the leak or improper installation of pipes . To search for damage, special devices are used: thermal imagers, acoustic leak detectors, etc.

If the smell is due to the presence of a hidden sewer leak, then the owners will have to dismantle the cladding and part of the ceiling.

Improved ventilation draft

Cleaning the ventilation duct is performed in the following sequence:

Remove the decorative grille. Clean it from dust, dirt and cobwebs, rinse thoroughly.
Wear gloves and sweep out small and large debris from the ventilation duct.
Clean the canal deeply with a dry and clean toilet brush. Vacuum the remaining dust and cobwebs with a pipe without attachments.
Clean the canal walls from dirt using a damp sponge and scraper. Detergents and chemical solvents are not recommended.
Reinstall the clean decorative grille. Check the ventilation draft.
For more thorough cleaning, you can use a flexible shaft and a stiff brush, the diameter of which is approximately equal to the width of the ventilation duct. The structure of the shaft and brush is put on the drill, which rotates at low speeds. Before starting work, it is recommended to mark the height of the floor with the ceiling on the cable. When the end of the brush hits a solid obstacle and the mark reaches the exit of the channel, the shaft can be removed.

Ventilation needs to be improved.

If there is no draft even after cleaning, then the problem may occur in several apartments or on all floors. To “break through” a ventilation duct in a common building system, you need to call specialists from the management company or the housing office.

Home methods for cleaning pipes

If an obstacle occurs in the pipeline, the water in the water seals is not renewed, and the incoming waste begins to decompose and emit a stench.

You can get rid of the blockage using the following means:

Table salt and soda. The method is only suitable for preventing blockages and gently cleaning the walls of the sewer. You need to pour 150-200 g of salt and soda into the drain, add hot water and leave for 2-3 hours. The product is used to clean sink drains. More effective chemicals are required to dissolve hair and impurities.
Vinegar and soda. The problem may arise not in the bathroom system, but in the apartment’s general sewer system. In this case, the likely cause of the blockage is fatty deposits. They are effectively eliminated with a combination of vinegar, baking soda and hot water. To clean the pipe, you need to remove the metal mesh from the drain hole, pour 100-150 g of soda into it and pour in 200-250 ml of vinegar (6%). After this, close the drain with a stopper and wait 2-4 hours. The last step of the procedure is pouring 1-1.5 liters of boiling water. The cleaned drain is washed with running water.
Soda and plunger. The combination of home remedies and mechanical action allows you to do without strong chemicals. First you need to pour 1 liter of boiling water into the pipe, wait 10-15 minutes and use a plunger. If it was not possible to break through the blockage, you need to pour 150-200 g of soda into the drain, pour 1 liter of boiling water, wait and use the plunger again. The procedure can be repeated 2-3 times.
Plumbing cable. A flexible steel rope with a hook attachment is suitable for removing dense blockages and large debris. To clean the drain, it is screwed in and pushed into the pipe until the obstruction disappears. It is not recommended to pierce corrugated connections with a cable, because a sharp nozzle can tear thin walls.
Chemical reagents. Tornado, Bagi Potchan and Mr granules are used to remove blockages. Muscle, Chirton powder, liquid Mole, DEBOUCHER Active and Synergetic, Sanfor, Chistin, Tiret and Sanox gels. Some products (for example, Tiret) are not intended for cleaning toilet drains. Reagents are poured or poured into the drain hole. After 5-15 minutes of action, the sewer is washed with hot water.

For thorough cleaning, it is recommended to remove the corrugation or disassemble the siphon. Flushing the pipeline section will remove grease, dirt and organic waste from the walls.

Sealing joints

To ensure tightness, it is necessary to promptly change the rubber gaskets and treat the joints with plumbing sealants. The most common type of sealant is polymer paste. Based on their composition, pastes are divided into silicone, silicone-acrylic, acrylic, polyurethane and bitumen.

The most reliable products are produced by Tytan, Ceresit, Ciki Fix, S 400, Krass, Dow Corning, Belinka and Moment.

Sealing is performed as follows:

Both joint surfaces are washed from dust and dirt, cleaned and degreased.
The sealant is applied to one of the surfaces in a circle in a continuous seam.
The composition is kept in air if the exposure is provided for in the instructions.
The elements are overlapped, the connection is left for 8-10 hours for complete polymerization.

Instead of sealing paste, you can use a shrink sleeve or plumber's tape. The polymer tape is overlapped with a margin of 0.5 width.

To repair pipe damage, repair clamps and patches made of bitumen mastic are used. If the corrugation breaks, patches are not applied, because Replacing this element is cheaper and more reliable than repairing. The joint between the new part and the toilet bowl is treated with sealant, and the edge of the corrugation with a sealing ring is installed in the sewer outlet.

After polymerization of plumbing glue, it is recommended to check the tightness of the connections. To do this, you need to pour 10-15 liters of water into the sewer, monitoring for leaks at the treated joints.

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Other options

In all cases when the sink smells like sewage, what to do in such a situation is decided step by step. Normal procedure:

carefully inspect the outlet and siphon of the kitchen sink, there may be cracks or holes on them;
run the water and check how fast it comes out of the sink;
try to find the source of the odor by walking along the pipeline and determining which area the smell is strongest.

If there are no blockages, water comes out of the sink at a normal speed, but the smell still appears, you should look into the tightness of the sewer. The question often arises: why does air come out of the kitchen sink and smell like sewage? There are two options here:

excess pressure of gases has been created in the internal volume of the pipelines, which breaks the water seal and escapes into the living quarters;
During the volley discharge of wastewater, a strong vacuum was created, which broke the water seals inside the sewer system and opened the passage for gases into the apartment or house.

Both options have the same consequences, differing only in the direction of the water seal failure. There is a bad smell from the sewer in the kitchen, how to eliminate it by installing ventilation devices? The solution to the problem of excess pressure will be the creation of a vent pipe, allowing the excess volume of gases to escape into the atmosphere. This must be done by employees of the management company, since the waste pipe is a continuation of the sewer riser. This work requires organizing a passage through the roof, sealing the area and other complex and skilled work.

Installing a ventilation valve will help eliminate the vacuum in the sewer system caused by the volley discharge of water. This element can be installed independently; it is mounted on a horizontal section of the apartment sewer system. The device operates on the principle of a check valve - when a vacuum occurs, the valve opens and lets in air, balancing the pressure in the internal volume of the system. The disadvantage of this option is that the valve only works in one direction, i.e. unable to correct excess pressure. However, in most cases it is the installation of a ventilation valve that helps.

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The need to inspect and eliminate plumbing defects

Sometimes it is easier to replace the siphon with a new one

Be sure to check that the sewer pipes are in good condition - they should not be damaged, especially the joints. If the joint pipe revisions are not fitted carefully or are damaged, this may well cause an unpleasant odor.

Listen to the sounds of water flowing down the drain. Gurgling and incomprehensible rustling is a clear sign of a broken water seal. This indicates the lack of proper water in the water seal, which prevents the penetration of unpleasant odors into the living space .

Another reason may be the appearance of a vacuum plug in the riser, or an excessive length of the riser and sharp slopes of the connections.

In addition, poor ventilation of the sewer system and insufficient diameter of the riser often contribute to the penetration of odors from pipes into the apartment. In such circumstances, the assistance of qualified plumbers will be required.

You definitely need to check the condition of the corrugated pipe or siphon (who has what installed). A shortened siphon partition often causes the water seal to be too small; it breaks off from time to time, causing water to escape. This problem can be solved by simply replacing the old siphon with a new one.

If there is a corrugated pipe, the problem is easier to solve - most likely it just straightened out. Therefore, until you purchase a new one, try to bring the old corrugation into the correct position by twisting it and securing it with electrical tape.

The water seal should not be too small

If you use any chemical to remove odor from pipes to clean them, you should definitely use rubber gloves and protect your eyes.

Upon completion of work related to the processing of pipes, rinse them thoroughly with clean water and ventilate the rooms.

Something else?

So, smell is not a prerequisite for the operation of a cesspool. Moreover, it indicates violations caused by errors during construction or operation.

In particular, one of the reasons is the banal overflow of the structure with sewage, its untimely pumping. This happens occasionally, and the reason for this is the very principle of operation of the cesspool as a storage tank.

Septic tanks do not have this disadvantage. They not only collect, but purify and discharge wastewater.

The construction of a septic tank is a little more complicated than a high-quality cesspool. In addition, there are ready-made sets of septic tanks, the installation of which is “turnkey” even for a beginner in construction.

Installing such a device can be called the fourth, most effective way to combat the smell of a cesspool.

How to get rid of sewer smell in an apartment and eliminate the source