A guide to stopping the sewer smell in your basement

The sewer smell in your basement will be a thing of the past, thanks to your plumber. You’ll finally be able to take the clothespin off your nose!

When you open your basement door, a foul smell fills your nostrils and you just can’t locate its source. This is an urgent problem—it’s embarrassing to invite friends over, and you know the smell might mean big plumbing problems. This is definitely a situation that has to be resolved as quickly as possible.

• Indeed, noxious fumes might indicate the kind of sewage problems that can eventually cause illnesses, so call your plumber without delay.
• He or she is the best person to solve this smelly mystery.

If you’re tempted to try and solve the problem yourself, you should be aware that some actions are not recommended in this situation. For example, you should never put the following products down a toilet in order to get rid of sewer smells in the basement:

• odour neutralizer tablets or liquids
• bleach
• unblocking products
• descaling products
• coffee grains
• washing soda or baking soda

• The plumber you bring in to solve the problem of sewer smells in the basement will carry out a few diagnostic measures to find the source of the problem.

You may very well have a major problem on your hands that could lead to other damage, so this situation should never be taken lightly.

• a blocked U-bend (U-bends prevent bacteria and smells from entering the home)
• inadequate ventilation
• an incorrect plumbing connection in the basement
• the presence of stagnant water, mildew, or deposits
• high humidity levels

• The sewage pipes are not cracked and are properly tightened.
• The cleanout plug in the basement’s floor drain, situated under the grill that covers the opening, is watertight and in a good state of repair.
• The backwater or check valve, installed on the main wastewater drain, is in good working order and doesn’t contain any debris. This valve should be maintained on a regular basis and be adapted to the needs of your home.

By taking good care of your basement plumbing, you can say goodbye to smells that have no place in your home. Don’t forget that the plumber is the best person to help you neutralize sewer smells in the basement, as well as any other plumbing problems.