Can you imagine smelling raw sewage in your home? Unfortunately, that can be a real occurrence if you have a major plumbing problem that hasn’t been addressed yet. The smell of sewage isn’t something to cover up with just air freshener but is something you must deal with at the source. Failure to do so can have many health risks for you and your family. If the smell of waste has begun to invade your home, here are some tips on how to get rid of sewage smell.
Find the Source
To deal with raw sewage, you have to find out where it’s coming from first. There is a curved section underneath the piping in your sink or shower called the P trap. It usually prevents sewer gas from entering the home, but such gas can enter a home if the water inside the P trap evaporates. You may also have a damaged toilet, cracked piping, clogged vents, or faulty seals.
According to Statistica, over 50% of American homes were built before 1980. If you live in such a home, you may have outdated plumbing and bathroom fixtures like old toilets. A certified plumber can come to check things out and install modernized toilets that will prevent septic leakage and help you conserve water with a dual-flush feature. A certified plumber can install a whole new piping system if needed and will advise you on how to prevent the issue from occurring again.
Don’t forget about your septic tank. Your septic tank should be pumped once every three years. It may have become filled up already and need pumping immediately. If your septic tank has begun to overflow, the smell of sewage may come from your drainage field. Another hint that it’s coming from there is if that area is wet or excessively green.
Use Ventilation
Even once the initial problem has been handled, it can take a while to get the odor out of your home. Begin by opening up your windows and doors to let in fresh air. If that’s not doing the trick, you can always speed things up by using large exhaust fans. That can also help with better air circulation. Be careful with using air fresheners like scented candles. While they can smell nice, they may only mask the odor, as opposed to making it clear that it’s gone.
Do you have an exhaust fan in your bathroom or kitchen? Turn those on as well to help speed up the process. You can also turn on your HVAC system if you have a modern one with the proper ventilation capacity. An HVAC unit isn’t just for supplying hot or cold air, as it aids in the air filtration in your home.
Do Some Cleaning
If sewage has spilled on any surfaces, you must clean it up immediately. Whether you have visible water damage or sewage, you need to handle it so that you can not only get rid of the smell but also prevent the growth of mold. Mold only takes 24 to 72 hours to grow in a wet environment. So, if you have a sewage leak, that can create a mold problem, which can affect your health. When mold spores begin to permeate around your property, they can get into your lungs and cause lingering respiratory issues.
Don’t be afraid to call a professional cleaning service if the mess is overwhelming. Explain the situation to them so they have the right equipment to handle sewage. Also, look into calling a mold remediation professional. If there has been obvious water or sewer damage, the mold contractors know exactly where to look for the slimy substance and how to fix the issue.
Sewage contamination is a serious matter. If you smell waste matter anywhere on your property, call the right professionals to handle it. With a certified plumber, mold specialists, proper clean-up, and ventilation, you can get your home back to normal again.
