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-   -   Foul smell in the house (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=184171)

  • Feb 14, 2008, 06:42 PM
    kdwyer
    Foul smell in the house
    Okay. I've been trying to figure this out for a while. When the heat and A/C comes on I will get a rotten egg smell in the house from time to time. I've cleaned the coils and run bleach down the condensation drain. So I was looking around tonight and it seems like the smell is coming from around the washer drain and is being sucked into the heating fan and circulated through the house. I pulled the cover that covers the washer drain tube. The pipe runs down into the p-trap and then runs through a t-pipe that goes down to the septic tank and up to a vent. I'm not a plumbing expert, but this doesn't seem right I know the p-traps are there to keep gases from coming back into the house so why would there be a vent after the p-trap that can allow those gases directly back into the house. I need help and I need it quick. I'm trying to sell my house and trying to show a house that smells like rotten eggs just isn't going to work.
  • Feb 14, 2008, 07:23 PM
    massplumber2008
    Hey K... the vent that goes up past the trap is a good thing... if it ties into vent system.

    If vent just ends open end pipe then that would be a problem.

    A vent is required at your washing machine... so hopefully ties into vent system or an automatic air vent (a device that allows air into system when fixture used).

    Catch us up.. what do you see... more details equals more answers!
  • Feb 14, 2008, 07:48 PM
    kdwyer
    I'm going to have to cut a little bit more dry wall out and take a pic. It's got some type of vent on the top, but it just seems like the smell that's being sucked into the house through the blower is coming from that area. I'll try and get a pic posted shortly.
  • Feb 14, 2008, 08:09 PM
    kdwyer
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...5/IMG_0215.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...5/IMG_0216.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...5/IMG_0217.jpg


    Here are the pics it almost looks to me like the vent might be damaged, but I don't know what it should look like. So any help would bee great.
  • Feb 14, 2008, 08:32 PM
    kdwyer
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...5/IMG_0218.jpg
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...5/IMG_0219.jpg

    Pictures of the vent that was on top of the pipe. When the heater is running I can smell the rotten egg smell. Once I pulled the vent and put my hand over it no more smell. So I know that the smell is being sucked up through this and I'm not a plumber but this thing looks mangled and broken. Am I right to assume I need to run to Lowe's or Home deport and get a new one.
  • Feb 15, 2008, 05:28 AM
    massplumber2008
    YUP... that is the most likely issue. As you said... go get a new one, get some 1/2" teflon tape, too and then just wrap the teflon tape around vent threads (hold vent in left hand, wrap teflon clockwise) and install the vent... go handtight plus a turn or so... but don't overdo it. Good luck!

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