Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Hi, We were getting bad sewer smells coming from our basement and found an old un-capped pipe down there. We hired a plumber, but he just cut the pipe and filled it with cement (as opposed to capping it first). Our sewer smell is back and I was wondering if it could still be coming through the cement since the pipe wasn't capped with anything else (and cement is pourous)? Thanks in advance!

So, do you think we should have a photo volatic camera run through the sewer line to check for cracks? The smell has been coming and going for several years now...but no sewer blockage or anything.

Search this Thread
Share |
11 Answers
Milo Dolezal's Avatar
Milo Dolezal Posts: 5,913, Reputation: 1933
Plumbing Expert
  
#2

Sep 12, 2008, 06:39 AM


The proper way of capping a sewer pipe is to cap it with a cap.

Was that pipe under ground ? Horizontal or vertical ? What type of material ?
Helpful
MichelleOM's Avatar
MichelleOM Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
New Member
  
#3

Sep 12, 2008, 06:49 AM
The pipe was sticking out of the ground (vertical), and curved at the top. It was very old- probably made out of cast iron or something. They cut it so that it was flush with the floor, and filled it with cement (no cap was used). Could the smell still be coming through, or should be looking for another problem down there? Thanks again!
Helpful
Milo Dolezal's Avatar
Milo Dolezal Posts: 5,913, Reputation: 1933
Plumbing Expert
  
#4

Sep 12, 2008, 06:54 AM


I would look around for another open pipe. Maybe crack in your sewer pipe. Also, look for signs of wetness under and around pipes.

Yes, concrete is pouros - but I don't think it is the source of smell. Is the concrete they poured inside this pipe wet ?

Is there a floor drain in your basement ?
Helpful
MichelleOM's Avatar
MichelleOM Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
New Member
  
#5

Sep 12, 2008, 07:00 AM
Ok- thanks. The concrete they poured in is dry now. The smell seemed to go away for about a month, and now it's back. There is no floor drain that I can see down there. Is the only way to tell whether there is a crack in the sewer pipe through a photo voltaic camera? The smell comes and goes- every 4 to 5 days or so...
Helpful
Milo Dolezal's Avatar
Milo Dolezal Posts: 5,913, Reputation: 1933
Plumbing Expert
  
#6

Sep 12, 2008, 07:02 AM


Is there any plumbing fixture in that area ? Sink, laundry ...etc ?
Helpful
MichelleOM's Avatar
MichelleOM Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
New Member
  
#7

Sep 12, 2008, 07:04 AM
No, just an old basement (house was built in 1905). I think there was a laundry sink down there at one time, explaining the old cast iron pipe that was left uncapped.
Helpful
Milo Dolezal's Avatar
Milo Dolezal Posts: 5,913, Reputation: 1933
Plumbing Expert
  
#8

Sep 12, 2008, 07:06 AM
Also, do you have a sewer ejector ? Any exposed sewer pipes ?
Helpful
MichelleOM's Avatar
MichelleOM Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
New Member
  
#9

Sep 12, 2008, 07:08 AM
Not sure what a sewer ejector is... Doesn't look like there are any exposed sewer pipes (these would all be at floor level, or underground, correct?)
Helpful
Milo Dolezal's Avatar
Milo Dolezal Posts: 5,913, Reputation: 1933
Plumbing Expert
  
#10

Sep 12, 2008, 07:17 AM
If there is a sewer ejector than you would have some kind of hatch door in the floor and maybe some pipe coming out of it.

Pipes in the basement would be running below the ceiling or on the wall.
Helpful
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.

Remove Text Formatting
 

Undo
Redo
  
Decrease Size
Increase Size
Bold
Italic
Underline
Align Left
Align Center
Align Right
Ordered List
Unordered List
Decrease Indent
Increase Indent
Insert Email Link
Wrap [QUOTE] tags around selected text
Wrap [CODE] tags around selected text
Wrap [HTML] tags around selected text
Wrap [PHP] tags around selected text
Wrap [YOUTUBE] tags around selected text
Notification Type:



Check out some similar questions!

Capping cast iron pipes [ 2 Answers ]

I am in the process of renovating my house. Part of this was removing the plumbing system down to the stack in the basement floor. The house had a full bathroom in the basement and I no longer want it. I have cut open the concrete floor to expose the cast iron drain fittings. My question is the...

Capping hot water pipe [ 1 Answers ]

Just getting a new washing machine which is cold fill only. When I took off old hoses, I found the "On / off" lever onthe pipe connector doesn't work, so I need to cap the pipe. What is the easiest way to do this?

Capping a water pipe [ 2 Answers ]

I have a 1/2 inch copper water pipe entering through the florr of my barn. The water source is unknown but the pipe is active(has fresh water running from it it). I presently have it capped off with a piece of hose and hose clamps. Is there a way to install a valve without turning it off? As I...

Capping off a leaky valve [ 3 Answers ]

I have a leaky valve in a shower that is not used. It was a slow drip, the cartridge was changed but it did not fix the problem and the drip is worse now. My question is can I cap the shower head faucet without causing damage to the seals in the valve? Since it's not used at this time, I'd...

Capping Off Bathtub Drain/faucet/etc [ 1 Answers ]

I Have Removed My Bathtub And Would Like To Tile The Floor, How Do I Seal/close/remove Drain? How Do I Remove Pipes That Are Sticking Out Of Wall And Seal Them? Thanks, Stuart

View more Plumbing questions Search