Is your home starting to smell like a sewer tank? When there's no escape from a bad smell in your property, life can feel a little hellish. Naturally, you'll want to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. With a few suggestions, you may be able to find the sewer smell and tackle it.
Your Shower Smells
Head into your bathroom and try to find out whether the smell is stronger when you reach your shower. If it is, the fix may be simple. A combination of hair and products such as conditioner may be building up in your shower drain. When that happens, biofilms begin to accumulate, and they emit a sewage-like smell. An easy way to tackle this is to use a drain unblocking solution. You may need to remove hair from the immediate drain area first, though. If that doesn't work, it's time to call a plumber to see if a bigger issue is at play.
Your Kitchen Sink Stinks
Your kitchen sink withstands a lot of use over the years. And not everyone takes a conscious approach to using theirs. Food particles, coffee grinds, and fat can all make their way into the surrounding pipes and cause a clog. When that happens, the food itself may begin to rot and produce a sewage-like stink. Or, grime and mildew may build up and cause a similar smell. To address this, start by using a small brush to remove any immediate grime in the sink. Then, use a drain unblocking solution. If those tactics alone don't work, you may need to dismantle some of the pipes beneath to remove any food buildup. If you don't feel confident doing this or if it doesn't work, you need to call a plumber.
Your Water Heater Is Odorous
Water heaters play a vital role in any home. Unfortunately, despite holding a lot of hot water, they're not immune to a buildup of bacteria. When bacteria settle in your heater, they're sometimes impossible to remove. To try fixing the issue yourself, increase the temperature for 24 hours and then run the taps for a little while. If the smell doesn't budge, you may need to call a plumber. They can use more intensive techniques to banish the bacteria and restore your property's usual smell. In a worst-case scenario, they may need to replace your heater with a new one. This usually happens when the bacteria keep returning and produce the same smell.