Why you need to eliminate the smell from the sewer as soon as possible

If a sharp amber from the collector appears in the room, this indicates a malfunction in the system. You need to get rid of sewer odors as soon as possible by eliminating the root causes. Delay threatens with serious health problems for household members.

Harm and danger of sewer odor

The harsh stench from the sewer is a mixture of complex hazardous gases - hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and methane. Each of them seriously undermines human health, and together they are a very dangerous mixture. Considering that the concentration of gases from a malfunctioning sewage system in a closed room is constantly increasing, then harm to human health will be as follows:

• malfunctions of the respiratory system: shortness of breath, oxygen starvation, asthmatic attacks;
• sleep disorders, coordination of movements and other disorders in the work of the central nervous system;
• general weakness, apathy, decreased appetite and performance.

A large accumulation of methane gas can lead to an explosion within a room or sewer.

Human olfactory organs are able to recognize smells and inform the body about potential danger. Amber, especially unfavorable for health and life, is perceived by us as fetid.

Locations and main reasons for the appearance of the sewer odor

Depending on the cause and location of the problem in the sewer network, the stench can be felt as much as possible in the following areas:

• kitchen - sink;
• bathtub - drainage of the shower cabin, washbasin, toilet bowl;
• the basement of a private house or basement, if a pipeline line passes through them.

The smell is felt quite brightly, by its intensity you can roughly determine the problem area in the sewer.

Common causes of a pungent odor:

• Leakage of one or more connections in the pipeline. Occurs due to long-term operation of the system. As a rule, rubber gaskets crack over time, the sealant dries out and partially crumbles. Hence the cracks in the joints.
• Violations of the principles of installing the siphon. If, when installing it, the master did not immerse the device branch pipe in water for several centimeters, the water seal will not perform its functions. The stench will gradually ooze into the room.
• Blockage in the pipe. More often it is formed by fatty deposits on the walls of the corrugation or tuba, plus fibrous inclusions (hair, threads). Sometimes a blockage occurs in the common entrance riser due to personal hygiene items, rags, and animal litter thrown into the toilet bowl. In this case, the pipes are cleaned by plumbers with a special cable.
• Rupture of the corrugation. Even a microcrack can provoke incorrect operation of the line. Pressure drops in the system will lead to the penetration of persistent amber into the apartment / house.
• Ventilation of the pipeline. When water is drained into the collector, a distinct characteristic gurgling is heard.
• Installing a powerful washing machine. Even if an aerator was previously mounted on the collector and before that it coped with the discharge of amber fully, a sharp discharge of dirty water by a machine will contribute to more complex pressure drops in the system. A previously installed air valve will not cope with the additional task.
• Lack of properly functioning ventilation in an apartment building. The air in the rooms of the apartment will be musty, somewhat humid.In this case, it is advisable to apply to the management company to eliminate the problem or install a fan valve yourself.

Another reason for the appearance of a stench in an apartment or house is long downtime of the sewage system. If the system is not used for a long time, the water from the water locks evaporates. From this, the harsh stench freely penetrates the room. To eliminate sewer odors, you need to use communication again.

Ways to eliminate sewer stench

To cope with the amber from the sewage system, you need to find out its cause. To do this, pour water well into the pipeline and inspect the system. If there is depressurization, these places will be at least humid. With strong leaks, the presence of puddles will be noted. If water goes into the drain slowly from any plumbing fixture, there is a blockage. To fully remove odors from sewer pipes, you need to act depending on the identified cause:

• Depressurization. It is necessary to restore the integrity of the rubber gaskets or the sealant layer. The connection is disassembled and carefully cleaned from the remnants of the old product. Then a new layer of protection is applied and the elements are again joined until they stop. It is better to take a polyurethane-based product as a sealant. It takes 12 to 24 hours to completely dry.
• Incorrect installation of the siphon. We will have to disassemble the drainage section and install the element correctly, immersing it in the water with its bottom by 2-3 cm
• If there is a crack in the corrugation structure, it must be replaced. The process is simple - the element at the top and bottom is unscrewed. Then a new one is installed in the reverse order.
• Blockage or siltation of the pipeline. This is the most common problem. On the walls of the siphon, corrugation and metal pipes, fat molecules often settle, falling into the drain from the kitchen sink. Cold water hardens these residues and forms a fatty film. Later, hair and food debris are attached to the layer of fat. The lumen of the pipe is significantly narrowed. To remove silt or blockage, you will have to thoroughly rinse the siphon, corrugation and pipes. The simplest remedy is soda combined with hot water. The product is poured into the drain in the amount of 100 grams. Hot water (1.5-2 liters) with a temperature of +85 degrees is poured on top. A sharp reaction promotes the breakdown of fats on the walls of the collector. As additional folk remedies, you can also use soda + vinegar + citric acid, soda + salt + hot water. It is very convenient to use ready-made chemicals for cleaning the sewage system - "Tiret Turbo", "Mole", "Flup", "Domestos", etc.

Mechanical flushing of the siphon can be carried out. To do this, unscrew it under the sink / bathtub by placing a bucket or basin. The removed element is thoroughly washed under running water with a household product.

You can remove the blockage with a plunger. To do this, water (10-20 cm) is taken into the bath or sink and the drain is opened. In parallel, they work with a plunger, pressing it tightly to the funnel and abruptly tearing it off. The rubber part of the device creates pressure drops in the pipe. As a result, the plug moves and goes further to the common riser. Then you need to thoroughly rinse the collector with plenty of hot water.

Prevention of unpleasant odors

To prevent strong odors from leaking into the house from the collector, it is necessary to ensure the reliable operation of the system.

• Check the correct installation of the collector first. The slope, the correct installation of the siphon, fan valve, hydraulic locks, etc. must be observed.
• Avoid draining greasy food waste into a sink. Better to send them straight to the toilet. If you drain the grease into the sink, then rinse the pipes with hot water (5 liters under high pressure).
• Flush the drain every week. To do this, you need to drain 20-30 liters of hot water.
• Periodically inspect the manifold for leaks and leaks.You need to investigate the entire length of the highway in the house before entering the common riser and get rid of problems right away.
• Change the corrugation under the kitchen sink annually. It is there that, in most cases, a fat plug forms, which should be removed in time.
• It is advisable to exclude the ingress of hair and threads into the sewer - remove them from the bath / sink immediately. Also regularly wash the siphon under the bath.
• Every two months, carry out preventive treatment of sewer pipes with special aggressive agents. In accordance with the instructions, they are loaded into the drain, supplemented with a liter of very hot water and left for an hour. The reaction taking place inside the collector decomposes grease, plugs. Then it remains to flush the sewer with plenty of water.

If preventive measures are constantly observed, the household highway will function fully and without interruptions.