[HeyItsJoel]

I need urgent help. I bought a condo in a brand new building (built 2009) and my excitement of being a first time homeowner is being ruined by a persistent problem.

There is sewage odor/gases escaping from the where the washer hose is inserted into the wall (see RED arrow in attachment). It used to come intermittently but now it seems to be more a constant daily thing. I do laundry every 2-3 days so the P-trap shouldn't be dry at all.

My unit is still under the 1 year warranty and I've notified PROHOME and they keep giving me the circles. They keep saying run the water all over the house and that it shouldn't be doing that. Well, it is! They sent a maintenance guy (who isn't a plumber) and he couldn't figure it out either.

PLEASE... I'm getting sick from breathing this stuff and when I was showing symptoms of persistent coughing, my doctor had to put me on antibiotics. I keep the windows open all over the house which makes it very cold. I can't live like this!

PLEASE REPLY with ANY HELP. :(

[hkstroud]

Hi Joe,

Without a doubt what the developer is giving you is the run around. His responses are totally meaningless words. It appears that there is some kind venting problem.

That we probably can't help you with unless we could see the location of the vent pipe relative to the trap of the washer stand pipe. Even then the problem is probably in the venting of the building.

By most condominium deeds, the boundaries of your unit are the interior surfaces of common walls. Therefore, ownership of the pipes transfers to the association as soon as they enter the walls. The problems therein also belong to the condominium association. Of course the association may still under the control of the developer.

You could engage the services of an independent, licensed plumber for a diagnosis. You would then be better able to demand appropriate action from the developer.

As a stop gap measure you could consider sealing the connection between the washer stand pipe and the washer discharge hose.

Assuming that the washer stand pipe is 2", get a 2 to 1 1/2" PVC bushing and a 1 1/2 PVC trap adapter. Until you see what is gong to happen don't glue anything. Just insert the bushing in the pipe, then insert the trap adapter in the bushing. Friction should hold everything in place. Insert the hose in the trap adapter using the 1 1/4 seal.

[joypulv]

The trap sounds either too short and water is whooshing at high volume out of it and leaving it empty, or they failed to put a trap on at all. Can you see in the wall, or above or below, or where the vent is, and what kind it is?
Tell them you have doctor's visits documentation of persistent illness and a lawsuit is forthcoming in 5 days.

[ma0641]

My guess is somebody put the trap in wrong or forgot the trap. Tightly stuff rags in the hole until a permanent correct fix is made.

[massplumber2008]

Assuming that the washer stand pipe is 2", get a 2 to 1 1/2" PVC bushing and a 1 1/2 PVC trap adapter. Until you see what is gong to happen don't glue anything. Just insert the bushing in the pipe

Great idea, Harold, but a 2x1.5"" bushing won't fit inside a 2" pipe... :p

Joel, I think the first thing to do is to get a flexible rod of some kind, could even be a thin curtain rod or a long wooden dowel, and connect a small piece of cloth to the end (if you use wood you don't need the cloth). Stick this rod/cloth into the drain pipe and let it bottom out... should not be deeper than 30"-36" MAXIMUM... could even be 18" or so.

If the rod comes back wet then you have a PTRAP installed.

If the rod bottoms out with less than 18" into the drain then this could be the issue as any standpipe shorter than 18" can cause the PTRAP to get siphoned which could let the sewer gasses in.

Anything over 36" is against code and could also cause these issues.

For now, as has been presented, plug the drain with rags until this can be resolved.

Back to you...

Mark

[hkstroud]

Great idea, Harold, but a 2x1.5"" bushing won't fit inside a 2" pipe...

Well nuts!! (I know that, just over whelmed by a moment of supreme stupidity)

[massplumber2008]

I know you knew that... ;)

Wouldn't call it "stupidity" either or you'll have to call me an outright idiot the next time you catch me on one of these as I do this more often than you do!

Have a great day!

[ma0641]

The older I get the overwhelming "moments" of supreme stupidity become
"minutes" of supreme stupidity.