Sometimes, when you smell that all-too-familiar sewage smell, it means an emergency call to your Houston plumbing company. Nothing compares to that unmistakable, rotten-egg smell – but many Houston residents might be tempted to opt for ineffective or potentially damaging at-home fixes before turning to professional help. However, this can oftentimes lead to worsening issues and lingering unpleasant odors, making Santhoff Plumbing an essential contact for when that familiar scent begins to arise.
Not only is sewer odor unpleasant, but it usually indicates a large-scale issue beneath the surface. As with all aspects of residential plumbing, even the most minor or insignificant matters can have a significant snowball effect, gradually growing into an expensive replacement. By understanding the science behind the smell and when you need to call a plumber for a solution, you can save yourself valuable time and comfort.
Your Plumbing Company’s Guide to The Science of Smell
While calling your Houston plumbing company is always advisable when you first smell a rotten egg smell, it is also essential to understand the basic science behind it to keep your family and your home safe. Sewer gas isn’t just stinky; it can also pose large health risks, making it a considerable safety hazard if it gets out of control.
Sewer gas is actually a mixture of several basic components, mainly formed through a combination of decaying organic matter. However, the most significant element, which is almost entirely to blame for the putrid rotten-egg sewer smell, is Hydrogen Sulfide. This is primarily because Hydrogen Sulfide is extraordinarily toxic, even when it is at a low concentration. Hydrogen Sulfide can actually be detected by the human nose in concentrations as low as 0.0005 to 0.008 parts per million (ppm).
What truly makes this element unique is that higher concentrations, typically above 100ppm, cause it to lose its smell, making it an unreliable way to judge danger. This is what coined its nickname, the “knockdown gas,” because it can quickly sneak up on unknowing homeowners, causing loss of consciousness, headaches, and irritation. Lastly, aside from just the foul smell and health hazards, Hydrogen Sulfide is highly flammable, making it an acute risk for Houston homeowners, the prime reason to learn the signs and call your Houston plumbing company.
Plumber Secrets: 5 Things to Check Before You Call
Before calling for emergency services, there are several checkpoints that your Houston plumbing company might have you investigate. In some cases, simple household cleaning ingredients like water, baking soda, and lemon can alleviate the rotten-egg smells from Hydrogen Sulfide. Here are the primary quick solutions for your system that should help solve your rotten sewer smell.
A Critical Barrier: Checking Your Plumbing System’s P-Trap
This fundamental pipe is most often hidden underneath your sinks and floor drains. While the U-shaped pipe might seem simple, it is the single most vital element to defending your plumbing systems from the rotten-egg smell. Understanding how your P-trap works is the best way to not only take control of your home’s plumbing system but also feel confident in your ability to fix minor issues quickly and effectively. When it comes to P-traps, usually one of two common issues is the primary contributor to these foul odors:
- Dry traps: These occur when fixtures are left unused in spaces like guest bathrooms or utility sinks. It happens when the water evaporates and breaks the seal. It can be quickly solved by simply running your water for about 30 seconds.
- Biofilm and gunk buildup: Sometimes the water seal is fine, but the bacteria and hair stuck above the trap may begin to decompose. The easiest solution is to use a natural enzyme cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to flush away the bacteria gently.
The Plumbing System’s Air Supply: Plumbing Vents
If your P-trap is still intact but the rotten egg smell is still causing you and your family headaches, sometimes, the answer might be above you – in a clogged vent pipe. This is the second most common Houston plumbing company solution, and understanding how it prevents pressure imbalances is integral.
Vent pipes regulate pressure and let foul-smelling gases escape from the house. When the pressure becomes unbalanced, it can instead force the gas back into the house, leading to that irritating rotten egg smell. A simple blockage, usually from bird nests, leaves, or debris, most often causes this unfortunate event. By clearing the debris, you can usually keep your plumbing vent in good condition and delay a call to your Houston plumbing company, Santhoff Plumbing.
Advanced System Failures That Demand a Plumbing Company
Sometimes, these simple DIY tricks might make the rotten-egg, sewer smell gradually dissipate. However, sometimes, the failures might be deep within your system and require a highly specialized, trained expert from your reliable Houston plumbing company, Santhoff Plumbing. These advanced system flaws usually involve your main line or complicated vent problems, creating a defined threshold for where Houston homeowners must stop attempting DIY fixes and call their trusted plumbing team.
The most common, but serious, plumbing issue that might be causing your plumbing system to smell is a sewer line clog or break. These are most often caused by tree roots, especially in a city like Houston, where trees are in most yards. When tree roots get too close to your system, they can infiltrate joint pipes and obstruct key elements. To find the correct solution, this usually requires sewer scope cameras, hydro-jetting, and trenchless pipe repair or relining.
Additionally, system drainage issues that sound like gurgling or have persistent foul smells even after clearing your p-trap also require professional plumbing company intervention. Our team at Santhoff Plumbing can solve this by siphoning out your p-trap with a powerful vacuum suction.
Lastly, the final and most serious issue regarding foul-smelling sewer is in regard to rural septic systems. When overdue pumping or clogged drains cause septic systems to fail, you require professional help to keep your water supply clean.
Plumbing Company Threshold: Knowing When to Call for Help
It can be difficult for some Houston residents to know when to call for plumbing company intervention. The best ways to determine if you must call Santhoff Plumbing include:
- Persistence: If the smell persists for days after checking the P-traps.
- Widespread odor: The smell is spreading throughout your entire home.
- Gurgling or slow drains: If you’re hearing gurgling sounds from multiple fixtures throughout your home.
- Visible signs: Any signs like standing sewage, dark spots on your floors, or sudden mold growth are all indicators that a larger problem is happening.
Professional plumbing companies can help by not only removing the foul smell, but also locating the root cause of the issue – leading to long-term solutions. As with all aspects of home maintenance, plumbing issues tend to grow exponentially if left unaddressed. Because of this, calling your trusted team of plumbers at Santhoff Plumbing at the first sign of advanced failure is essential for maintaining your home’s plumbing system competently. Don’t let rotten-egg sewer smells ruin one more day for you or your family. Contact us today for a free plumbing company consultation for your home in Houston.