What happens if you smell sewage for too long?

Author: Shyann McCullough  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 2, 2025

The Dangers of Hydrogen Sulfide, AKA “Sewer Gas” A naturally occurring gas, hydrogen sulfide, or “H2S,” is toxic at high concentrations. Prolonged or acute exposure to the gas can cause eye irritation, headache, nausea fatigue, and – in extreme cases – death. Smell Sewer Gas in your building?

Can you get sick from breathing in sewage smell?

Though not entirely toxic, long exposure to sewer gas can cause serious respiratory problems. Enough of it can even cause symptoms of sewer gas poisoning. The most basic way of telling if you have a sewer gas leak is its smell.

Is it safe to stay in a house that smells like sewer?

Yes, the smell from a backup sewer in the basement can potentially harm you in several ways: Health Risks from Sewage Exposure: Sewage contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause infections or gastrointestinal illnesses. Prolonged exposure to sewage can increase the risk of health problems.

How long does it take for sewer gas to make you sick?

Sickness from sewage can start in 24-48 hours, but it can take longer.

What are the symptoms of sewage sickness?

Germs and parasites may cause diarrhea, fever, cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness, or loss of appetite.

Explained! Sewer Gas Smell Outside or Inside of Your House & How to Fix

Is sewage smell an emergency?

Unpleasant sewage smells around your property can be an early warning sign of a sewer issue. While not always an emergency, persistent smells could indicate a sewer gas leak or a backup in the sewer system.

Is it safe to stay in a house with sewage backup?

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.

How to recover from sewer gas exposure?

Treat symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness with over-the-counter medications recommended by healthcare professionals. Rest in a well-ventilated area and stay hydrated to aid the body in eliminating toxins. Use a cool compress or cold pack to alleviate discomfort associated with headaches or nausea.

What are the symptoms of hydrogen sulfide gas?

Prolonged exposure may cause nausea, tearing of the eyes, headaches or loss of sleep. Airway problems (bronchial constriction) in some asthma patients. Possible fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, irritability, poor memory, dizziness. Slight conjunctivitis ("gas eye") and respiratory tract irritation after 1 hour.

What are the long term effects of sewer gas exposure?

Long-term, low-level exposure may result in fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory and dizziness. Breathing very high levels of hydrogen sulfide can cause death within just a few breaths. There could be a loss of consciousness after one or more breaths.

What makes sewer smell go away?

Regularly clean your drains using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or a cleaning solution recommended by a professional. Flush the drains with hot water to help remove any residual odor-causing substances.

Who to call for sewer smell in house?

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.

Can sewer gas ignite?

Explosion risk

Sewer gas can contain methane and hydrogen sulfide, both highly flammable and potentially explosive substances.

How do you get rid of sewage breath?

Avoiding dehydration and good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, are important. Some mouthwashes, lozenges and toothpastes can assist in fighting halitosis. Gentle but effective tongue cleaning may also be required. A variety of tongue brushes and scrapers have been produced in recent years.

Can sewer gas set off a carbon monoxide detector?

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.

Is it bad to breathe in sewer smell?

Yes, sewer gas is noxious, and in high concentrations, it can be toxic or lead to a loss of consciousness. For brief exposure to sewer gas, any resulting health symptoms will usually resolve themselves without medical intervention.

How long does it take to get sick from sewage backup?

How Long Does It Take to Get Sick From Sewage Backup? If you have become sick due to contact with sewage, you will likely start to develop symptoms within 1 to 3 days. If your symptoms are very severe and last longer than two days, you should call your healthcare provider for help.

How long does sewage contamination last in a house?

The drying out process can take several weeks in an enclosed area such as a basement or crawl space, and growth of microorganisms will continue as long as the humidity remains high.

Does insurance cover sewage back up?

While homeowners insurance protects you against some forms of unexpected water damage, water back-ups and sump pump overflows are usually not covered. You may purchase optional water back-up coverage that may pay for damages in the case of sewage back-up or a malfunctioning sump pump.

Is a sewage leak an emergency?

If you smell gas at any time, it's an emergency. It's an emergency if: Sewage is backing up into the home from one or more plumbing fixtures. Sewage in the home poses a serious health risk to humans and pets. It's not an emergency if: The drains are slow but do clear.

What do I do if I smell sewage outside?

However, it's best left to the professionals when it comes to broken pipes or a damaged septic system. If you suspect that your septic tank is the cause of the odors surrounding your home, contact one of our certified plumbers immediately. Dealing with septic tank issues requires extensive training and experience.

Can sewer gas make you sick in your sleep?

Consequently, you'll experience symptoms related to lack of oxygen, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, and unconsciousness. At higher sewer gas levels or low oxygen concentration (less than 12%), exposure to methane gas may lead to death without warning. Yes, sewer gas can kill you in your sleep.

What to do if you get sewage in your mouth at home?

Rinse your mouth out and clean your teeth. Rinse with a good mouthwash and also make sure you drink 8 glasses or fluid - preferably water. If you begin to feel sick or not well in any way at all, or develop a fever get yourself to an ER and explain what happened.

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