If your basement smells like a sewer, I’m sure you want to take care of it as quickly as possible. The good news is that, unlike many other plumbing projects, eliminating unpleasant odors in the basement is usually pretty simple. The odor has typically has one of five causes, most of which can be corrected fairly quickly.
Top Causes of Unpleasant Basement Odors in Toronto
Dry Water Trap
The most common cause of unpleasant basement odors is a water trap that has dried out due to lack of regular use. The trap may be located under a wash basin, floor drain or laundry tub. When a drain is not used regularly, the water in the trap eventually evaporates, allowing sewer gas to come up the drain into your basement. To fix this problem, simply dump water into the drain to restore the water level in the trap. To keep the water from evaporating so quickly, add a few tablespoons of cooking oil.
Though it’s less common, it’s also possible for the water in a toilet trap to evaporate if the toilet has not been used for an extended period of time. In this instance, simply flushing the toilet will replenish the water and solve the problem.
Missing Cleanout Plug
Check your floor drain to see if the cleanout plug is missing. If it is, sewer gases can bypass the water trap and enter your home. To check, remove the grate covering the opening of the drain, and look for a plug inside the drain bowl. If yours is missing, a replacement can be purchased at any hardware store.
Bad Wax Seal on Toilet
A bad seal between the base of the toilet and the toilet flange can also cause unpleasant odors. If the seal leaks, sewer gas can escape from under the toilet. Solving this problem requires removing the toilet and replacing the ring. If your toilet rocks, placing plastic shims between the toilet base and the floor and caulking the floor joint can help prevent rocking from damaging the replaced wax seal.
Major Plumbing Problems
Though rare, more serious plumbing problems like broken or cracked sewer lines can also cause sewer smells in the basement. There could also be a loose connection in the ceiling or behind a wall. If the most common problems aren’t causing your issue, more serious plumbing issues may be at hand. Check out all the visible joints in your plumbing, and look for leaks. If you can’t find the leak, or you are unsure how to perform the necessary repair, you may need the help of a professional.
Help Getting Rid of Toronto Sewer Smells in the Basement from WaterWorks Plumbing & Drains
The expert plumbers at WaterWorks Plumbing & Drains can help you get rid of Toronto sewer smells. Whether you need a simple repair or you need help tracking down a leak or finding a cracked sewer pipe, we can help. Give us a call today at (647) 691-0022 for expert plumbing repair in Toronto and the surrounding areas.
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