The atmosphere in the home is very important for the comfortable living of a person. Air fresheners, constant cleaning, disinfection and regular ventilation cannot help get rid of the annoying smell of sewer pipes. If he appears in the house, it is necessary to quickly identify the cause and eliminate it.
Initial mistakes in the construction and installation of plumbing
It often happens that when buying a new apartment, an unpleasant smell comes from the sewer pipes as a gift. If the dwelling has not been used before this time, then the reason lies not in the blockage. Most likely, the reason was the violation of engineering standards during construction and improper installation of the bathroom. The laying of sewer pipes should be done in such a way that there is a free outflow of wastewater.
It is necessary to take into account the angle of inclination of the pipes in order to avoid the appearance of zones of stagnant water. These zones give off an unpleasant odor. This state of affairs requires considerable financial costs, since you will have to dismantle the old pipes and re-assemble the bathroom, taking into account all past mistakes. This work requires certain qualifications from the performer, so it is better not to do it yourself, but to entrust it to professionals with experience.
The main everyday causes and methods of their elimination
There are other possible reasons for the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the pipes. They are associated with human life processes.
One of these reasons is a blockage in the pipe. There are several ways to fix it. You can use both new modified means and the simplest cable that has proven itself well. Getting rid of the blockage is quite simple, but it is much easier to follow a number of plumbing rules to avoid this unpleasant situation. Do not neglect the use of special grates on the drain holes. They will not allow large food waste, rags, scraps of paper to get into the sewer pipes. Watch what you throw into the sewer. Do not overestimate the capacity of sewer pipes.
Debris can create blockages, even in very large pipes. Periodically, specialized cleaning solutions need to be piped. When choosing a chemical, be sure to make sure it is suitable for your type of sewer. Pipes can be cast iron or plastic. Accordingly, the means for them are different.
Another common cause of unpleasant odor from sewer pipes is incorrect operation of the siphon. The standard location of the siphon is under the sink or kitchen sink. A siphon is a pipe that has a curved shape, which creates an elbow that retains the water lock. With proper operation of the siphon, this plug, called a water seal, should prevent odors from entering the bathroom or living room from the sewer. If a persistent unpleasant odor develops, it is possible that there is a blockage in the siphon. The cause of the occurrence may be a structural defect in the bathroom, a small cross-section of pipes or icing. You need to pour boiling water into the pipes, or clean it physically, using a rope. Installation of pipes with a larger diameter is possible.
A possible cause of sewer odor is pipe leakage. Sometimes it is quite problematic to find a local area that has leaked. This is called a latent leak.You will have to consistently inspect all sections of the pipeline, clamps and connections with a flashlight. A clean, dry cloth can be used to locate where water is leaking. To fix the leak, you need to return the tightness to the pipes. This is achieved by replacing pipes, or by local repairing damaged areas.
Natural draft ventilation shafts are installed in urban high-rise buildings. The tasks that these systems perform are very important for the comfortable living and health of residents. Malfunctioning ventilation can lead not only to the spread of an unpleasant odor throughout the apartment, but also leads to the growth of fungi and the appearance of mold. The ventilation should be checked periodically. With good traction, a sheet of paper attached to the ventilation grill will keep it from falling. If there is not enough draft, the ventilation shaft should be cleaned. It is better to leave this job to professionals, because people's health is at stake.
Often the temperature difference inside the pipe and in the room leads to the formation of condensation. This can be the impetus for the intensive development of mold and mildew. These formations cause an unpleasant odor in the room and negatively affect the health of residents. If this happens, it will not be easy to get rid of the fungus. It is necessary to remove excess moisture and insulate the pipes. It is easier to do this when the bathroom is mounted without the presence of hard-to-reach areas. Otherwise, you will have to resort to dismantling.
Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the pipe connections. They must ensure complete tightness. It is necessary to check all joints, clamps for leaks. If problem areas are found, you need to act according to the situation - either tighten the clamps, or use specialized means, such as a sealant.
Prevention and preventive measures
To avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the sewer pipes, it is enough to adhere to a number of rules for the operation of plumbing, and also carry out preventive measures.
It is necessary to use grates on the drain holes and not to throw garbage (rags, scraps of paper, bars of soap, cigarette butts) down the drain. It is able to block the free drainage of water, which will lead to a blockage.
Periodically, you need to use specialized solutions that are suitable in composition for specific pipes. They are sold at hardware stores. You can use folk remedies like mustard powder or table salt. There is a choice.
Physical deformation of the pipes must not be allowed; care must be taken to ensure that there are no sagging. When the discharge angle changes, water masses can stagnate in localized areas. This will lead to the release of hydrogen sulphide and the appearance of a characteristic unpleasant odor. This is especially true for plastic pipes, they cannot be used as a stand for heavy objects.
Even with proper ventilation, you should ventilate the bathroom after taking a bath or shower. This will prevent moisture from collecting, which can remain as condensation and create a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
You need to pay attention to the work of the drain, siphon. He should not make characteristic sounds - gurgle, grunt. This is the first signal for possible malfunctions. This often happens after a long break in the use of the sewage system.
When buying a new home, you need to pay attention to the bathrooms. Visually, it is difficult for a non-specialist to determine whether it has been assembled with high quality. But gross defects, such as sagging pipes, a sealant sticking out of the seams, will be striking. It is necessary to run water through the pipes and make sure that it goes freely into the drain without making any extraneous sounds.
Conclusion
In order not to allow an unpleasant smell from the sewer to spoil your mood, affect your emotional state and health, it is enough to follow a number of simple operating rules and, sometimes, resort to preventive measures.These precautions will help you avoid unnecessary problems and unplanned costs for repairs and specialist services.