[katetea]

Hello
We live in a 5th floor apartment and ever since we have moved in there has been a very strong odor coming from the kitchen sink. We don't have a disposal. It smells like sewer and seems to start when hot water is ran down the sink. But then, other times it will be very strong first thing in the morning when no water has ben down it. The only way we can get rid of the smell is to run cold water down the sink for hours. We have had plumbers come by to check it but they all give the excuse that they can't do anything about it until they smell it?? Its got to the point that I think they just do this because we are on the 5th floor and it would be too big of a job to try to fix any problem. Needless to say we will be moving in 2 months when the lease it up but Ive been worried about if this could be a health hazard? Would appreciate any information if anyone has had this problem before.. or what it could possibly be. Thank you

[massplumber2008]

Hey katetea... pipes have junk on the sides... can get to smelling pretty bad. None of the plumbers suggested replacing the pipes... huh? And I am sure you have a p-trap under the sink... yes (see pic. Below)?

Could always try a 1/2 cup bleach down the drain... let sit overnight then wash down with about 6 cups boiling water... that should help reduce smell a little.

OR could use some baking soad and vinegar to foam up the drain lines... again.. let sit overnight... and then add boiling water to flush away. Either one should help reduce odors.

Let me know if that helped. And as long as there is a ptrap under sink there should not be any health hazards!!

If my answer helped please RATE THIS ANSWER. Thank you.

[ballengerb1]

Sewer gas can become a health problem so I'd continue trying to get this fixed. Since you are renting it's the landlords responsibility to hire a competent plumber who will assess your problem. It sounds like your trap is not working. Does you drain go into the wall after the trap or does it go straight down through the cabinet floor after the trap?

[katetea]

Hi.. thanks for the quick response.. we have put gallons of bleach down the sink before.. was the plumbers idea. Which didn't solve the problem. Under the sink is a trap but it doesn't look like the picture you showed. Its more like a cup shape. They have checked it before and said that water was in it, so it supposedly was working OK. We have had several plumbers here but we still get the same answer that they cant... or more like won't... do anything until they smell it... makes no sense and its aggrevating and scarey. The drain goes into the wall after the trap

[massplumber2008]

Hey Katetea... how many floors above you?

[katetea]

One floor above us

[massplumber2008]

The trap look anything even close to this pic.

[massplumber2008]

I am just wondering if the trap is getting siphoned (having water pulled out as water from sink upstairs drains past your sink). Not that it matters at this point. If trap is in place... no hazards.. that we can prove.

[katetea]

No.. its shaped like a kids drinking cup with a round bottom , and you pull it off to take it off to check it.. they took it off before to show me. Im living in england right now and it might be something different they use over here that is different from the states?

[ballengerb1]

MASS I was thinking siphoning too that why I was asking if this could be an S trap. Kate where do you live and any chance of a picture? Maybe you can Google plumbing sites in your country and capture a picture to post back to us.

[massplumber2008]

YUP! I am sure that the trap is different from here then.

Can you post a pic..

[katetea]

As long as you don't think it's a health hazard... has had me worried a lot wondering, because all I would get for an answer from the plumbers is that there was no way that the sewage smells or anything else could be coming up through the kitchen sink plus its getting to the point where it actually makes me feel sick when the smell comes so I was getting worried and wanted to check

[massplumber2008]

Look anything like this trap?

[katetea]

Yeah I will try to get a pic of it for you

[massplumber2008]

I wonder... do you know the people upstairs well enough to ask them to fill their sink full and then drain it? You must stand in front of your sink when they drain their sink.. see if gurgles or bubbles..? If it does, then your trap may be getting siphoned which would suggest that system was piped wrong and you would have a case for them to change pipes. If not... then I am stumped!

Did you see pic. Of third trap?

[ballengerb1]

Where do you live Kate? Sewer gas smells just like you'd expect sewage to smell, pooh. If this is what you are smelling them you have a venting issue or bad trap. You vent pipe in the wall could even be cracked or broken loose.

[katetea]

I took a pic of it with my cell phone... do I just attach it on one of these messages? Sorry but I'm new at this

[katetea]

Yes that is what it looks like sorry I didn't see the pic before

[ballengerb1]

You are doing fine. Yes just attach it to your message. I think if you open the "Go Advanced" box to the left of spell check it will help you.

[katetea]

I'm not sure if there is anyone living above us but its worth checking it to see if that could be the cause of it... thank you both so much for all your help and information