Why would your house smell like a sewer when nothing is 'backed up'?

Answer 1

There can be various reasons, some are: * The most common reason would be that there is a venting problem. If you install more venting pipes and two way valves on the main sewer line outside, it will most likely sort the problem out. Or, * Sewer gases are escaping from the Plumbing in an infrequently used drain. The drain pipes are curved so they will hold a small amount of water to "cap" the drain and prevent the escape of the unpleasant smelling gases into the room. If the faucet does not get water run very often, this "dam" of water in the drain pipes will evaporate and there will no longer be a block of the gases. To fix, merely run water down the drain more often. Running for less than a minute is usually enough so you don't have to waste water. Or, * If you have a septic system, it may be time to have it pumped. Or, * If you have an aerobic septic system, it may need chlorine tablets added. Or, * Check your natural gas energy sourceswithin the house to be sure there is no slow leak of gas since the odor of natural gas and sewer gases can be mistaken. Your gas supply company will come to do a pressurized gas leak check if you contact them and tell them you think you may be smelling the odor of natural gas in your house.