Ask Me Help Desk - Sewage smell in basement

Sewage smell in basement

Brand new home with finished basement every now & then we get a sewage smell in our basement--can't figure out where it is coming from

Check all floor drains, add a half bucket of water to each drain. Did this help any?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Check all floor drains, add a half bucket of water to each drain. Did this help any??

Appreciate the assistance----i add water to floor drain & to shower drain about every 2 weeks--we never know when this odour is going to appear---we didn't smell it for about 2 months & then yesterday there it was it seems stronger in the basement washroom & laundry room which back onto each & plumbing is between the connecting wall

City sewer or septic tank?

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedball1

City sewer or septic tank?

City sewer

OK Steve,
I think at this time I would call for a drainage smoke test to find out if you have any leaks in the system. Your home should still be under warranty. This is a major complaint. Some one from the plumbing company should come and check it out. Every big shop has a sharp plumber they send out on new construction complaints to see if he can make the homeowner happy without putting the company through bankruptcy. This was my job with my company the last years before I retired, Shop trouble shooter and warranty repair man. All this should be done under warranty at no expense to you. Make the call. Good luck and let me know what they find. Tom

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedball1

OK Steve,
I think at this time I would call for a drainage smoke test to find out if you have any leaks in the system. your home should still be under warranty. This is a major complaint. Some one from the plumbing company should come and check it out. Every big shop has a sharp plumber they send out on new construction complaints to see if he can make the homeowner happy without putting the company through bankruptcy. This was my job with my company the last years before I retired, Shop trouble shooter and warranty repair man. All this should be done under warranty at no expense to you. Make the call. Good luck and let me know what they find. tom

Thanks Tom--- not easy to deal with this builder---can you please explain how the smoke test works? so that I look like I know what I am talking about when I discuss this with the builder or the warranty inspector

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve connolly

Thanks Tom--- not easy to deal with this builder---can u please explain how the smoke test works??so that i look like i know what i am talking about when i discuss this with the builder or the warranty inspector

Good morning Tom---sorry to be a bother but are you able to explain the smoke test

The smoke test's simple We close off the vents and house clean out with inflatable test balls.
Some plumbers toss the smoke bomb down a vent before closing it off. I like to insert it in front of the test ball at the house clean out. If your system's tight with no leaks you will see nothing. If you see smoke the you have a problem in that area. I have seen smoke bombs in yellow and red, but there could be other colors. Good luck, Tom

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedball1

The smoke test's simple We close off the vents and house clean out with inflatable test balls.
some plumbers toss the smoke bomb down a vent before closing it off. I like to insert it in front of the test ball at the house clean out. If your system's tight with no leaks you will see nothing. If you see smoke the you have a problem in that area. I have seen smoke bombs in yellow and red, but there could be other colors. Good luck, Tom

Thank you so much Tom--knowing nothing about plumbing you guys are a great help----any thoughts as to installing a recurculating pump on the hot water tank to stop the knocking noise on the pipes??