If they can't be reached, call the local fire department. If it's anything but a very faint smell, evacuate the building and wait for the gas company to give you an all-clear.
If you smell sewer gas in your home that is dangerous. All sinks, toilets and bathtubs have a water seal (called a P-trap) to keep the gases from venting into your home. These sewer gases can kill you and are dangerous. So you should get a licensed plumber involved.
In extremely high concentrations, hydrogen sulfide can cause loss of consciousness and death. Suffocation: High concentrations of methane in enclosed areas decrease the amount of oxygen in the air and can cause suffocation. Symptoms of a lack of oxygen include: Dizziness.
“Call for 911 and have a fire department respond. We have gas monitors so we can get there and try to detect where it's coming from and where most of it is.” Another way to prepare is to have your gas pipes and systems checked regularly, especially if you own an older home.
Fire departments are often the first to respond when a natural gas or propane leak is detected. As a result, fire departments play a critical role in responding to gas leaks and gas-leak-related hazards, such as fires and explosions.
DO call 911 to notify police and fire officials. DO warn others to stay out of the area. DO stay nearby until a gas company representative arrives, or until you've told the company where you can be reached.
So if sewer gas leaks into your property and concentrations of methane build up, you can inadvertently cause a serious explosion or start a fire, by lighting a match.
Along with being unpleasant, a strange sewage smell could be hazardous for your health. One of the primary gasses in sewage is methane, and if it accumulates in large amounts, it can become highly flammable. If untreated, sewage gasses can leak methane into your home.
With higher concentrations of sewer gas, the health effects can be severe and may include loss of consciousness, respiratory distress, coma, or even death. Additionally, if someone already has a respiratory illness, even minor exposures to sewer gas can cause a serious health issue.
Sewage backup is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and professional intervention. Due to the health hazards associated with sewage contamination, it is not safe to stay in a house with sewage backup.
Causes of Sewer Gas Smell
Sewer gas smells could also be coming from your pipes if they weren't installed properly or are damaged. A local plumbing professional can assess the problem and provide solutions, but here are some more common causes of septic odors in your home: Ice buildup on plumbing pipes.
One of the most common issues of drain odor is due to blockages and clogs. Any type of blockages, whether they are partial or full, can prevent waste water from properly leaving your home. Over time, this stagnant water sitting in the pipes can build up bacteria and produce pungent odors throughout the night.
Exposure to lower concentrations can cause eye irritation, a sore throat and cough, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs. These symptoms usually go away in a few weeks after exposure ends.
While not always an emergency, persistent smells could indicate a sewer gas leak or a backup in the sewer system. Ignoring these smells may lead to more significant problems, so it's essential to schedule an inspection and cast iron pipe lining service as soon as possible.
No, it does not. Carbon monoxide detectors DO NOT detect sewer gas. These devices are designed to detect only the presence of carbon monoxide, and thus will not pick up on the other gases that are found in a sewer gas mixture.
If the sewer gas odor was caused by a dry P-trap, the smell should dissipate almost immediately. If you have any plumbing fixtures you rarely use, you can also easily prevent them from smelling like sewer gas by making sure to put some water down the drain every week or two.
Yes, sewer gas can come up through the toilet if there is a problem with the plumbing system.
A qualified plumber, HVAC technician or remediation company can diagnose the source of the odor and take the necessary steps to eliminate it safely and effectively.
A backed-up septic tank is the most common cause of outdoor smells. Follow maintenance best practices and empty your tank every three to five years to prevent a faulty septic system.
If your home smells like gas, but there's no apparent leak, here are steps you should follow: Ventilate the house by opening all windows and turning on ceiling fans. After this, if the smell is persistent, evacuate your home. Put out any materials that can create a flame or cause a spark, such as any open flames.
The smell of sewer gas is often described as a noxious, rotten-egg-like odor. Its sulfuric, foul smell will permeate your entire home if left unaddressed, leading to major health issues down the line. Small amounts of sewer gas usually won't cause any immediate danger—but large amounts certainly will.
An emergency gas engineer will be sent, free of charge, to 'make safe' your property.