Here’s one for the plumbers: for several days we have had a strong sewer smell in our cellar. It isn’t H2S. The drains seems to work fine. Last spring RotoRooter replaced the main trap in the line near the street sewer, so we called them back. They didn’t think that a reaming was in order, but recommended we use some of their magic drain cleaner, which we are doing now. I don’t understand why dirty pipes should produce a sewer small.
My understanding is that dry traps can allow gas to diffuse back up. The only above-ground trap in the cellar is the laundry tub, and it is OK.
Any ideas?
Replies
Besides the laundry trap, check for floor drains. They would have traps too, and often get dry because normally nothing goes in them. If you have a high-efficiency gas furnace, for example, the condensate has to drain somewhere, but it wouldn't run in the summer and the trap could get dry.
It's possible your main trap could be cracked and leaking (thus not sealing), but you'd still need some kind of opening into the basement for the fumes to enter.