Hello Everyone,
I have a stinky smell in the basement. It is either originating from the drains or the sump pump area. I really can’t tell. We did have a bathroom installed in the basement a few months ago, but the smell started recently. I have been researching this on the internet and I have a few questions. 1. How do I find the catch basin? Is it the hole that the sump pump is in? 2. Should I pour bleach down the drains to see if the problem is standing water and mildew? 3. Should I pour lots of water down the drain to raise the water level? We think the smell is strongest in the laundry room. That area has a drain that has not been used in the 4 years that we have owned the house.
My bother said to flush the toilet and see if the water comes up a little first and then goes down. IT does. What does that mean?
Any help is very much appreciated.
Thanks!
By the way I live in an older home (1920s) in Chicago.
Replies
The built in trap of the drain has dried out. Pour in about a gallon or so of water and the smell will go away.
Hopefully.
Until a few days ago I had a stinking basement too. Even stunk up the first floor.Basement was the one part of the old house I didn't rebuild/plumb.Poured water down the floor drain and utility sink drain. No relief. Humm. Thought more, then scrunched up a plastic bag and jammed it in the floor drain.No smell...no trap!Unbelievable.Todd
I hooked a hose up to the sink and let the water run in the drain for about 5 minutes. The smell is much better, but not totally gone. Now I smell it in the basement, but not necessarily the drain. I think it just needs to air out. Thanks for the advice. If this doesn't work, I will try shoving a plastic bag in there as someone mentioned.By the way, can anyone tell me what and where my catch basin is? Is it that hole in the ground that has the sump pump in it?Thanks!
Stinky smell? Sounds like you have isolated and cured the source.
Air out basement - if that does not work -- buy some baking soda from a Club store or pool supply house - ~$6 will buy 12 pound bag - Arm and Hammer - same as the little boxes.
Spread a couple pounds around the basement and leave for a day or so -- sweep up and discard the baking soda and the lingering smell!
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
I think I spoke to soon. The smell is back, not as strong as before, but it is back. I looked in the drain and I can not see any water. There was water in there earlier today. Maybe I need to add more.
add more....
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That water didn't evaporate in one day. I'm guessing there is no trap and the drain is slow, probably has roots or soil in it, thus the water stayed for a little while but slowly drained away. Same thing with poo-poo water from the toilet, thus the smell. This happens when the old clay tile drainage is cracked. Get it rodded out. You'll probably have to get it rodded every couple of years.
The catch basin is located outside with a manhole cover.
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Edited 11/21/2008 4:51 am by Ted W.
Like Pete said - most likely a dried out drain trap, be sure all drains actually drain some water every now and again to keep the trap full of water and thus functioning
Here's one idea (from http://c.managemyhome.com/) for a self-priming rain trap:
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"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
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Might even have a drum trap at that age.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Just recently learned about trap primers in the office building I do some work on. The restrooms have floor drains that are seldom used. The pluming system has installed auto trap primers that activate off the sudden pressure drop in the supply line(s), such as when a faucet is turned on or a sloan valve activated. The small drip of water from the trap primer drains to the traps, keeping the floor drains' p-traps with water in them, hence no sewer gas intrusion into the building. Many of you probably already knew this, but I like learning something new, especially plumbing because I'm NOT a plumber. New knowledge feels empowering!
I had never heard of them till Bob posted that. Makes sense.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
We have four or five in one of our building. Wish we had more in our main building.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_primer
Here is an alternative.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Thanks, Jon.