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ruapilot · Dec 19, 2010, 07:00 AM

I just bought a home with a septic field. In our laundry room on th emain floor under the sink there is a very foul odor. However it is not coming up through the drain. Just under the sink and there is nothing in it. Any suggestions? Thanks

massplumber2008 · Dec 19, 2010, 07:04 AM

Hi Ruapilot...

Any chance you have an AAV (mechanical vent) under the sink... see images below. If you have one of these then this could be the issue as these fail on occasion and let sewer gasses escape.

If you have one replace it. It should simply unscrew. Be sure to pick up a little pipe dope, too so you can coat the threads of the new AAV beefore installation.

If no AAV under the sink then start looking around for a FLOOR DRAIN... the trap seal may have dried out and will need to be replenished on a regular basis... maybe?

Back to you...

Mark

ruapilot · Dec 21, 2010, 08:30 AM

Mark,

To elaborate more... there is no AAV. What there is is a stack that runs from behind the sink up to the attic where it joins with the main stack in the attic. Hooked to this line are 2 things. The laundry sink as well as washing machine. I the drains themselves smell fine. It is just under the sink where the bulk of the joints are. Where I think the smell may be coming from is just before the trap for the sink (vent side)it looks like some work has been done. It is held together with an attachment where you screw the one end of the P-trap. I opened it and put sometape on seams and depending who you ask it has nmade a little bit of difference. I am not sure if it's a time thing till the odor goes away or whether it is something that it may have helped a little. What is this pipe dope you refer to called and will it make it so I can never unscrew the threads again? If I could figure out how to post a pic on this site I would lol.

Thoughts?

Derek

massplumber2008 · Dec 21, 2010, 01:13 PM

Not too much to ad here without pictures... sounds like you may have found the issue.

Unfortunately, I don't even know how to post pictures on the new site "skin"... YET! You could always ask for help on this over at the forum help link (back under topic headings).

And, pipe dope is a non-drying permanently flexible pipe sealant. Apply it to the threads and tighten up appropriately and hopefully all set!

Finally, pretty rare for small threads to be causing issues like this. I'd look around under the sink base or under the washing machine for that floor drain, but just guessing now as I haven't seen even larger leaks cause odor issues like this... hmmmm?

Keep me posted, OK?

Mark

ruapilot · Dec 21, 2010, 01:47 PM

There are no floor drains as laundry is on main floor and we have a basement. I will keep you posted. Will b in New Year. Gone for Christmas. Happy Holidays! Thanks for input so far :)

massplumber2008 · Dec 21, 2010, 01:50 PM

Hey Hey, if going on a small vacation and it is possible I would recommend that you shut off your water main at the meter (or pump) to be sure you have no surprises when you come home... ;)

Also, if you have a gas water heater if you look at the thermostat (gas valve) you should see a VACATION setting or PILOT setting on the dial. Set the dial to this setting and it will save you money by keeping the heater from maintaining temperature at the heater while you are gone. When you come home simply return it back to the original setting and hot water will be restored in 1 hour or less. For an electric water heater you could just shut off the 30 amp double pole breaker at the panel, but water will take a little while longer to heat up when you get home.

PS: The pilot light will NOT go out... why this is so nice!

Happy holidays to you, too...

Mark