It’s no secret that sewer lines don’t smell great when you open them up. However, detecting foul odors from your plumbing system inside the building or around the property indicates a problem. There are many potential reasons why noxious gases or liquids may escape from your sewer system; some are much easier to fix than others.
Clogs and Blocked Pipes
Obstructions within the sewer pipes are one of the most common causes of foul odors around the home or property. Even if the blockage doesn’t completely stop the flow of waste material, it can still lead to minor backups and create odors in the pipes. Clogs may develop from sedimentary accumulation, tree root incursion into buried lines, or non-degradable waste getting trapped inside.
Leaking Sewer Lines
Any cracks or breaks in your sewer lines can allow the liquid and gases inside to escape. Even a small fracture can lead to detectable odors, especially in enclosed spaces. You may also notice consistent odors around the yard if there has been significant damage to sewer lines under the ground. Bad smells alongside pooling liquid in a particular location often indicate a major break in a sewer line.
Broken Seals and P-Trap Problems
It’s not just pipes that can be the problem. Your plumbing system has many smaller components that serve crucial functions, including seals, gaskets, and P-traps. Some of these components can dry out during periods of prolonged inactivity or give out due to simple wear and tear. Even one of these parts failing can compromise the seal on the lines and allow bad smells to escape.
Poor Plumbing Ventilation
Domestic and commercial plumbing systems contain ventilation pipes that help regulate the flow of gases within your system. Cracks or clogs in these lines may not create a noticeable leak, but they can still emit gases that create a lingering foul odor.
Why Maintenance Matters
Routine system maintenance by a professional plumber can mitigate these problems and prevent most of the common issues that impact home or business owners. Taking care of your system with expert assistance at least once per year can help prolong its lifespan and prevent costly problems from developing in the first place.
Solve Your Plumbing Problems and Eliminate Odors
With so many possible reasons for the bad smells escaping from your sewer system, it’s always a good idea to seek professional assistance. Leak detection tools and mobile video camera technology are just two ways plumbers can get to the root cause quickly. Reach out to PHD Plumbing today to learn more about our sewer repair services and system maintenance solutions in Yuma, AZ.