What Is Causing the Sewer Smell in My Basement?

The fetid, rotting stench of sewer gas is pretty much unmistakable, and most of us have probably caught a whiff or two at least once in our lives. We know that the odor is unpleasant, and many of us are aware that it can actually be quite dangerous, too, in large enough doses. Stressed out about a sewer gas odor coming from your Indianapolis home’s basement? Don’t worry, Service Plus is here to help!

When plumbing problems arise in your home, don’t wait—contact our certified plumbing specialists right away!

What Is the Sewer Gas Smell?

The term “sewer gas” is an umbrella term that describes a group of compounds—mostly organic—that result from the breakdown of solids and waste found in sewer systems. The gas can be made up of a wide variety of chemical compounds including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, esters, carbon monoxide, and so on.

The two important things to know about sewer gas is that 1)it always smells sulfurous and rancid (most compare the smell to fouled eggs), and 2) it can be very bad for your health. Left unattended sewer gas can contribute to a cocktail of illnesses including headaches, vomiting, general illness, and even worse.

Where Is the Sewer Gas Coming From in My Basement?

And where your basement is concerned, it’s not really much different. The most common cause of sewer gas odors in a basement will be due to your home being equipped with a large basement floor drain. This drain runs deep into your sewer line, and can give off foul sewer gas odors when:

What Do I Do About Sewer Gas Odors?

The most important thing to know is that you need a sewer line repair professional to come take care of the issue right away! The dangerous thing about sewer gas is that, oddly enough, even though the odor is absolutely horrid, our bodies become desensitized to it very quickly.

This often leads to folks thinking the smell was temporary and never getting the problem addressed, only to find out later that the constant infections, headaches, and illness they’ve been experiencing have been due to the constant presence of sewer gas. Any time you smell sewer gas or rotting odors, it’s best to call on a plumber right away, be it in your basement, bathroom, or even kitchen.

Professional Plumbing Repair in Indianapolis

When you need fast, responsive service that puts your needs above all else, choose Service Plus! Our plumbing team is specially trained to address sewer line issues, offering superior, precise sewer line repair services that return your home to normal as fast as possible. Contact us today to set a date for your service!

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