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    artmomma1's Avatar
    artmomma1 Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 20, 2008, 08:30 AM
    Intermittent Sewage Smell/Kenmore 90
    We have an intermittent Sewage smell in our basement. It is obvious for a day or 2 then it might go away for 1 week and then come back. It seems to be coming from our Kenmore 90 series washer. I ran a cycle with bleach the last time it happened (no clothes hot water) it cleared up for a few days and now it is back permeating the entire basement with the smell.

    1) Can I take out my washer gasket and look to see what is going on?
    2) I had a contractor friend look at it and he said it seemed to be coming from the washer.
    He said it looked like we had the proper sewage pipe traps in place so what is it??
    Thank you.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #2

    Sep 20, 2008, 08:58 AM
    Could be bacteria built up in the sump and hose. Pour a half gallon of bleach in the washer and let it set overnight. If the smell persists you might try replacing the hose.
    Good luck, Tom
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    artmomma1 Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Sep 20, 2008, 11:02 AM

    I tried running the wash with the bleach and it didn't work. Will soaking over night make a difference? Also, it smells more on and around rainy days.
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
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    #4

    Sep 20, 2008, 12:55 PM

    First make 100% sure you really have P-trap installed...

    Do you have a floor drain in your laundry room ?
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    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #5

    Sep 20, 2008, 01:16 PM
    To check your stan dpipe trap run a broom handle down the pipe. If the bottom has a few binches of water on it then you're trapped. If the floor drain isn't used much pour a quart of cooking oil down it and forget it. Is yhere any other fixtures in the basement? Good luck, Tom
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    artmomma1 Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Sep 20, 2008, 02:19 PM

    Thank you for your advice. I need to figure out what a stan dpipe is and check into your advice.
    Thank you.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #7

    Sep 20, 2008, 02:42 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by artmomma1 View Post
    Thank you for your advice. I need to figure out what a stan dpipe is and check into your advice.
    Thank you.
    The standpipe is the pipe you hang your washer hose into. The trap's at the base,(see image). Let me know. Tom
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    artmomma1 Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Sep 21, 2008, 12:14 PM

    Our washing machice has a plastic hose that drains into our utility sink. There is a main sewage pipe next to the washer that runs into the floor (cemented in) a few inches from the washer.
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    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #9

    Sep 21, 2008, 02:41 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by artmomma1 View Post
    Our washing machice has a plastic hose that drains into our utility sink. There is a main sewage pipe next to the washer that runs into the floor (cemented in) a few inches from the washer.
    OK! Pour some bleach down into the slop sink trap and see if that helps. The sink IS tied to the drainage isn't it? Or does the sink discharge into a floor drain? Let me know, Tom
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    artmomma1 Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Sep 21, 2008, 05:02 PM

    Hi Tom,
    The sink has a pipe that curves and then goes into the basement floor (the pipe is cemented into the floor). I am very plumbing dumb so I have no idea what any of these are called. I will try the whole bleach thing over night. But then why does it do it right before rain?
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    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #11

    Sep 21, 2008, 05:54 PM
    Momma,
    Your slop sink has a "S" trap which means that it's not vented. The washer discharge could siphon enough water out of the tro to let sewer gas escape. Smell the drain a few minutes after the washer drains. Does it smell stronger?
    why does it do it right before rain?
    Sewer gas is lighter then air but high humidity will make it heavier and it concentrates closer to the floor so there's more of it to smell. Let me know, Tom
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    artmomma1 Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #12

    Sep 22, 2008, 06:53 AM

    Given the whole "chain" of information and advice. What should I start with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd?
    Thank you for helping me!
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
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    #13

    Sep 22, 2008, 06:55 AM

    Can you post a photo of your under-sink plumbing ? Would be very helpful...
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    artmomma1 Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #14

    Sep 22, 2008, 07:17 AM

    I am new to this. How do I post a photo?
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
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    #15

    Sep 22, 2008, 07:25 AM

    Start your post
    Go to "Go Advanced"
    Click on "Manage Attachments"
    Look up your photo in "browse"
    Click on "Upload"
    Click post answer

    It has to be small photo. If it is big, reduce it first
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    artmomma1 Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #16

    Sep 22, 2008, 07:48 AM

    Here is a picture under the sink
    Attached Images
     
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #17

    Sep 22, 2008, 10:27 AM
    The sink has a pipe that curves and then goes into the basement floor (the pipe is cemented into the floor).
    This threw me off! You do have a legal "P" trap. Is that back fall on the pipe from the trap to the cast iron? Is there a floor drain or any other fixtures in your basement? Back to you, Tom
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    artmomma1 Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #18

    Sep 22, 2008, 10:43 AM

    What is "back fall"?
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    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #19

    Sep 22, 2008, 10:56 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by artmomma1 View Post
    what is "back fall"?
    Put a small level on the drain pipe. The bubble wants to be closest to the sink. If it's closest to the cast iron stack then you have back fall. Is there a floor drain or any other fixtures in your basement? Regards, Tom
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    artmomma1 Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #20

    Sep 22, 2008, 12:41 PM

    We have a sump pump in our boiler room. By the washing machine we have the main pipe going into the floor and next to it is this. See photo. Oops my camera just died. I will send tonight. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME WITH ALL OF THIS
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