Question:

we bought a house in osgoode this past july. there is a bathroom in the basement. my son uses this bathroom daily, so it's not like it's not used. in the last week (january) there is a horrible smell coming from the shower. it smells like a sewer. what would be causing this and how do we get rid of this horrible smell. thanks!!

Answer:

kimm:

Since this problem just started and the fact that January was so cold, I am almost certain the problem is caused by the vent pipe for your house freezing over. Sewer gas rises carrying moisture out the top and as it hits frigid air the moisture freezes and closes off the vent in some cases. When this happens the vent system for the house will draw air from other sources (p-traps in sinks, tubs and showers) As this happens the p-traps are emptied of water and the sewer gas is free to pass through the trap and into the house.

The good news is that as the weather warms, the ice block on the vent will melt and the problem will go away. In the interim, when the smell occurs you can run a little water in the shower to refill the trap and the odour will stop immediately. If the problem is really persistent it will require a look into the way your vent system is configured in the attic. The number of horizontal runs and the size of the vent pipe in these runs may be a factor to consider.

Bob

Answered By: Bob Steele

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