Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    sandydandy's Avatar
    sandydandy Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Aug 22, 2012, 05:26 AM
    I just closed on my house and I smell raw sewage
    The basement bathroom smells like raw sewage and the toilet seems to flush every hour or so on its own. I hear a "flushing" noise. We just bought this house and I don't know why the inspection wouldn't have revealed this problem. Maybe not the smell... as that can be hidden for a short period, but you would think he would have heard the flushing in the pipes? Anyone have any ideas?
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
    Expert
     
    #2

    Aug 22, 2012, 05:40 AM
    Because you put too much faith in a home inspector. Were you there when he did the inspection? Why did you not hear it when you inspected the house also ?

    But unless it is a major problem, more than a clogged drain line that will need to be snaked out, and if it is a major problem you will have to prove the previous owners knew about it and failed to inform you. ( if they were required by your state law and/or type of sale)

    Did the home inspector get on the roof, not just on a ladder ( or did he even have a ladder many don't) So if he did not go up on the roof, or crawl into and go all around the attic and into a basement or crawl space, you did not get a good inspection, you got the average inspection people in US get

    Did he have a thermo gun to check heat loss or cooling loss in the home, and to look for moisture in areas.

    Was the electric turned on to the house ? Gas if there is gas ? If electric was not on, did he have a generator to power the home to check the circuits.


    I used to get houses, but I have never got a good inspection, the last one I hired refuse to do a full inspection and I canceled the check he got, yes most want to be paid up front.

    Was this inspector one that the real estate agent recommended, guess what if he does not pass the house, the agent does not sell the house, so if a inspector fails too many houses, how long willl that agent keep recommending them?

    But you first thing now is to get a plumber out and inspect the system to find the issues.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #3

    Aug 22, 2012, 06:38 AM
    Answer Chucks questions. In the meantime let's fix that running toilet. Which ballcock do you have in the toilet? (see image) Let me know Tom
    Attached Images
     

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Sewage smell throughout the house [ 1 Answers ]

Sewage oder is noticeable throughout the house, some day worse than others. The order seems to be carried through the airducts which smell of sewage even when the heat or ac are off. Please help. Thanks

Raw Sewage smell in basement office [ 1 Answers ]

I have a stiffling problem! I have check every area that I can and cannot come up with a workable solution to my problem. My basement is finsihed and I have a full size bathroom. We are on a septic system and I have a brand new sump pump to remove waste. Let me preface this by saying, I always...

Sewage smell in house [ 2 Answers ]

I am getting a sewage smell throughout my home. I have a septic system, and recently from the clean out have replaced the piping, new 1000 gal holding tank and drainage, however there is no leach field. I just have a drain pipe emptying the tank. I also have vents on the side of the house but they...


View more questions Search