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Sewage smell in house

8 replies

CupcakeGirl1 · 22/05/2023 03:53

Hi,

Sorry for the long post but trying to give as much info as possible.
I have a detached house and for the last fortnight, theres been a stong sewage smell in the house. It comes and goes but is generally strong. It is strongest in hall as you enter property and under the stairs cupboard. I lifted the boards in the cupbard and theres no obvious problem apparant in area I can see. Few things to note:

*Small WC near the hall is always blocked
*Had external drains checked by scottish water
*Had a drainage company out to blast water through the pipes
*Although the smell is worst in hall, I can smell it on and off in other rooms in house (i.e. other bathrooms mainly but find its just wafting everywhere now)
*I had a new kitchen installed recently. No major overall to plumbing i.e washing machine, dishwasher etc all new but went back to same places. A new radiator was added to kitchen but no smell in that area. FYI, kitchen as front of house off hall. Kitchen doesnt smell generally but i can definetely smell "the smell" under the cabinets where sink/dishwasher/washing machine are placed.

I'm at my wits end - total nightmare and having real difficulty finding a tradesperson who will help me investigate :(

Any thoughts greatfully recieved.

OP posts:
Cupcakequeen75 · 22/05/2023 07:36

Are the washing machine etc connected & working and more importantly, do the traps (U-bends) have water in them?

My sister bought a newbuild flat (this was years ago) and when she moved in she had the same smell. Soon tracked it down to the traps having no water in them which meant there was an open vent to the sewer. Fixed in 30-seconds by putting water in them

GPTec1 · 22/05/2023 07:50

The give away is the "always blocked WC" thats not normal & needs resolving first, is a slow flusher ie the pan fills right up with water then slowly drains? or just blcked and you manually have to unblock with a rod or plunger?

also, would Scottish Water have checked your waste pipe & connection into their network? in England, the householder is responsible for these pipes (in most circumstances)

any nr by properties having similar issues?

Yes plumbers etc don't normally want to do filthy jobs if they can earn more with cleaner jobs but there are specialist companies that deal with waste water problems/blocks

DogInATent · 22/05/2023 07:50

Why is the small WC constantly blocking?

BlameItOnTheGoose · 22/05/2023 07:52

Do you have a macerater? If it's not working properly that can cause blockages, leaks and smells as you describe.

Xrays · 22/05/2023 08:04

The toilet shouldn’t be always blocked. I would put money on that being the issue.

Knackeredhamster · 22/05/2023 08:13

Durgo valve /stench pipe?

Possibly broken seal or dislodged somehow. If so sewage stink comes back into the house but ime in the toilet or bathroom area.

CupcakeGirl1 · 23/05/2023 11:41

Update! Got to bottom of things this morning. Don't know all technical details but essentially the blocked toilet wasn't sealed properly and the sewage was going directly under the floor 🤢

Not great but happy to have got an answer and so grateful to plumber who helped me!

OP posts:
TerfIngOnTheBeach · 23/05/2023 11:48

Fabulous, glad you got it sorted OP

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