Does Your Home Smell Like Sewer?

Ever get a whiff of something that doesn’t smell right in your home? Sometimes it is something as simple as a garbage that needs to be emptied or some spoiled milk in the fridge. But there is a distinct odor to sewage and waste, and if you smell it in or around your home, it could mean problems. Here are some tips to find the source of the smell and fix the issue.

Pin Point the Source

Sewer smells are usually going to come from one of two places; drains or outdoors. Take a sniff near your drains, especially those in the lower levels of the house. Is there one drain that has a stronger smell, do they all have an odor or is there no odor near your drains? Drains that smell like sewage can mean a backup or blockage in your system.

If the smell is outside, look for wet spots in your yard. You could have a broken sewer pipe. If you have a septic system, check around your septic tank and drain field. Look for wet areas and sniff for stronger odors. Septic tanks can leak and drain fields can fail, which can create a sewage odor.

Call a Professional

Whether you have a blocked sewer pipe, a septic problem or a broken main sewer line, you need professional help to get your sewer issue resolved. Call your local plumbing company that offers both plumbing and sewer repairs for an inspection. They can help find the exact source of the problem and offer a solution to stop the odor and fix the sewer issue, whether it is inside or outside of your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Buying an Older Home? Have the Plumbing Inspected

When buying an older home, it is important to know what home improvements may be needed in the future. Apart from the sale price, you must consider possible expenses that you could incur due to the age of the home. When was the last time the roof was replaced? Is the furnace or HVAC system in good shape? Are there any underlying issues you need to know about? While a home inspection may reveal some of these problems, it may not uncover everything. Plumbing is one of the areas you may want to have separately inspected before you buy.

If the home was built in the 1980’s or before, it is a good idea to have the plumbing checked out before you buy. From the interior plumbing to the sewer pipes and septic system, there are many components that can be outdated. Replacing a septic system or the sewer lines can cost thousands of dollars; interior plumbing issues can lead to water and mold damage, as well as the expense to replace pipes and fixtures. Some areas that should be inspected include:

  • Camera inspection of exterior sewer lines
  • Water heater – is it efficient? When will it need to be replaced?
  • Interior pipes, drains and fixtures
  • Septic system and drain field inspection, if applicable

Having a local, expert plumber inspect the entire plumbing system is worth the investment before buying an older home. It can alert you to any potential issues so you are aware before you buy. If there is a major plumbing problem, you have the option of negotiating with the seller to have the issue fixed, changing your offer price or deciding that this may not be the right investment.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221