I have a bar in my theater room. The bar has a dishwasher, ice machine and a refrigerator. Every few weeks I smell a sewer smell in that area. It may last a day or two and then go away. The drainage is tied into the bathroom in the basement. We never have that smell in the bathroom. Does anyone have a suggestion on what it may be and how I can correct it? Thanks

You indicate the smell's the strongest near the bar, yes? Is there a floor drain near bye? No smell in the bathroom? City sewer or septic tank? Is the smell worse when it rains?": You must realize that smells and weird noises are the hardest to track down when you're on site and just about impossible when you're not. So help me out with all the details. All we can do is point out likely spots. Back to you, Tom

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Originally Posted by speedball1

You indicate the smell's the strongest near the bar, yes? Is there a floor drain near bye? No smell in the bathroom? City sewer or septic tank? Is the smell worse when it rains?": You must realize that smells and weird noises are the hardest to track down when you're on site and just about impossible when you're not. So help me out with all the details. All we can do is point out likely spots. Back to you, Tom

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Yes it is strongest in the bar area. There is an open floor drain that the ice maker is on top of. There is not any smell in the bathroom. We are on city sewer. I thought the smell was worse when it rains but currently we are getting the smell and it has not rained for a few days. We also got the smell when it was frozen outside (we live in Chicago). Do you think maybe the plumber that installed everything did improper venting? A plumber that came out when there was not a smell does not think it was improper venting since the sink had no problem draining after he filled it to the top. He said if it continues then he would want to charge me a $1000 to run smoke from the vent. Not sure if that would do anything if it is not a vent problem. I am also thinking that maybe the drain that runs from the bar to the bathroom may have sitting water since maybe it is not angled right. Not sure, what do you think?

Save your money and purchase your own smoke bomb. All this does if fill the vents with smoke and if there any breaks or leaks it will show up in the house. Sniff around when the smell's the strongest. This floor drain. Have you checked to see if there's water in the trap or does something drain into it? Let me know, Tom

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Originally Posted by speedball1

Save your money and purchase your own smoke bomb. All this does if fill the vents with smoke and if there any breaks or leaks it will show up in the house. Sniff around when the smell's the strongest. This floor drain. have you checked to see if there's water in the trap or does something drain into it? Let me know, Tom

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There is not any standing water in the drain

I'm not asking about "standing water", I'm asking if there's any water in the trap. Tom

How can you tell if this is water in the trap?

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Originally Posted by goldhopper

How can you tell if this is water in the trap?

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Remove the strainer and stick a rod down to the base of the trap. It should .come back with a few inches of water on it. Let me know what you find. Regards, Tom