Sewer
Why Does My House Smell Like Sewer?
Updated · Written by the SteadWell team
Dry traps: the easy fix
Every drain has a trap that holds water to block sewer gas. In a guest bathroom, basement floor drain or unused shower, that water evaporates. Run water for 30 seconds in every rarely used drain. If the smell fades, that was it.
Toilet wax seals
A toilet that rocks, or a smell concentrated around its base, points to a failed wax seal between the toilet and the floor flange. The seal is replaced by pulling and resetting the toilet.
Vent problems
Plumbing vents through the roof let sewer gas escape outside and keep traps from being siphoned dry. A vent blocked by leaves or a nest can cause gurgling drains and smells, especially on windy days.
Cracked drain or sewer pipe
If the smell persists with full traps and a sound toilet seal, a cracked drain in a wall or crawl space, or a damaged sewer line, may be leaking gas. A camera inspection or smoke test finds it. In homes with cast iron drains, cracking along the bottom of the pipe is common.
This guide is general information, not a substitute for an on-site assessment. Read our editorial standards.