At Ask Me Help Desk you can ask questions in any topic and have them
answered for free by our experts. To ask questions or participate in
answering them you must register for a free account. By registering you
will be able to:
Get free answers from experts in any of our 300+
topics.
The 3 inch pipe in our basement has a sewer smell ONLY when we run the dishwasher or run water down the drain from the kitchen sink one floor above. The smell is not in the kitchen, only in the basement. I does not linger in the basement, but can be overpowering when it happens.
We have snaked, poured bleach, Simple Green and other plumber recommended concoctions down the drain. We have also replaced the bottom portion of the drain where it curves under the basement. We have made sure all the traps have fresh water in them The only devices attached to this pipe are our dishwasher, disposal and double sink. We've put commercial cleaners in our garbage disposal and dishwasher. Nothing makes the smell go away.
Two plumbers have come out to work on the problem. The last one jackhammered the concrete floor and replaced the pipe. People have recommended a smoke test. (??) We have already spent a decent amount of money on this and I don't want to spend more on guesses.
There are no moisture leaks. We are in Colorado, where musty basements are rare. Our house is about 38 years old -- basic trilevel with a basement. All the other plumbing is on the other side of the house.
the plumber who jackhammered the basement floor to replace the L checked and double checked the pipe, and even came back and recaulked the joints. If there was a crack in the pipe, wouldn't there be moisture?
We are in very dry Colorado, and any moisture would be noticed. There isn't any evidence of moisture behind the drywall or in the drop ceiling. Do you think we should tear out the drywall under the sink to double check?
Does the odor seem stronger at the basement ceiling? How long has this been going on? Normally you would expect to find moisture but maybe you have a crack in the top side of a horizontal pipe that is allowing sewer gas to escape but not water. Make a small hole in the ceiling and sniff. Ever had the vent pipe check from the roof?
You said 3" pipe, would have expected it to be 2".
we have had the problem for about a year or so, but since it was a random happening, we didn't figure out that it was drain pipe related until recently. We (and the plumbers) could not tell by sniffing which part of the pipe smelled the worst. We have been quoted $400 for a smoke test. Is that reasonable (and warranted?) We have never done anything with the vent pipe except to look down it (and saw nothing). We have had a raccoon problem on that part of the roof for about the same amount of time that we have had the smell. Any remote chance of those being related? (The raccoons are now gone, replaced with mice in the back of the refrigerator........)
I used to scrapbook a lot in the basement, but now that I've gone digital, I don't spend much time in the basement, other than up and down for laundry. That is why it took so long to tie together that cause and effect of the smell. It may be a 2 inch pipe, I didn't measure. I have been thinking about the vent being blocked, but I don't know who to call to check it. And How? And then what?
I really appreciate all the time you are spending on helping me solve this.
Could be 'coon related, maybe young one got in the vent . Maybe you have a partially block vent that is allowing in enough air to not syphon traps dry but does not allow sewer gasses to escape. I'd snake the vent. If you don't have a snake try filling the vent with a hose. Have someone watch sink to prevent flooding if there is a blockage. If that doesn't tell you anything rent a snake. Doesn't explain why odor is in basement but something to do and doesn't do cost much.
Is there a place on the net where I could see a simple plumbing diagram of what is behind my walls? The book I have been referencing doesn't make it very clear.
Linear Mode
