The atmosphere in the home is very important for a person's comfortable living. Air fresheners, constant cleaning, disinfection and regular ventilation are not able to help get rid of the annoying smell of sewer pipes. If he appeared in the house, it is necessary to quickly identify the cause and eliminate it.
Initial mistakes in the construction and installation of plumbing
It often happens that when buying a new apartment, an unpleasant smell comes from a sewer pipe. If the housing has not been operated before this time, then the reason lies not in the blockage. Most likely the reason was a violation of engineering standards during construction and improper installation of the bathroom. Sewer pipes must be laid in such a way that there is free outflow of wastewater.
It is necessary to take into account the angle of inclination of the pipes in order to avoid the appearance of zones of stagnation of water. These areas exude an unpleasant odor. This state of affairs requires considerable financial costs, since you have to dismantle the old pipes and reassemble the bathroom, taking into account all past mistakes. This work requires a certain qualification from the contractor, so it’s better not to do it yourself, but to entrust the professionals with experience.
The main household causes and methods for their elimination
There are other possible causes of the unpleasant smell from the pipes. They are associated with the processes of human life.
One such reason is a blockage in the pipe. There are several ways to resolve it. You can use both new modified tools, and the well-proven simple cable. To get rid of the blockage is quite simple, but it is much easier to follow a number of rules for the operation of plumbing, to avoid this unpleasant situation. Do not neglect the use of special grilles on the drain holes. They will not allow large food waste, rags, or pieces of paper to get into the sewer pipes. Watch what you throw into the sewers. Do not overestimate the throughput of sewer pipes.
Debris can clog up even in very large pipes. Periodically, you need to run specialized cleaning solutions through the pipes. When choosing a chemical, be sure to make sure it is suitable for your type of sewage system. Pipes can be cast iron, or plastic. Accordingly, the means for them are different.
Another common cause of unpleasant odors from sewer pipes is the incorrect operation of the siphon. The standard siphon arrangement is under the sink or kitchen sink. A siphon is a pipe with a curved shape, which creates a bend that preserves the water plug. With proper operation of the siphon, this plug, called a water seal, should prevent odor from entering the sewer into the bathroom or living room. If there is a persistent unpleasant odor, it is possible that a blockage has formed in the siphon. The cause of the occurrence may be a structural defect in the bathroom, a small section of pipes or icing. It is necessary to pour boiling water into the pipes, or carry out cleaning physically, using a cable. Installation of pipes on a larger diameter is possible.
A possible cause of the smell of sewage can be leakage of pipes. Sometimes it’s quite problematic to find the local area that caused the leak. Such a leak is called hidden. We will have to consistently examine all sections of the pipeline, clamps and connections with a flashlight. Pure dry matter can be used to detect places where water flows.To fix the leak, you need to return the pipes to leaks. This is achieved by replacing pipes, or by local repair of damaged areas.
In urban high-rise buildings are installed ventilation shafts of natural draft. The tasks that these systems perform are very important for a comfortable stay and the health of residents. Failure of ventilation can cause not only the spread of an unpleasant odor in the apartment, but also leads to the multiplication of fungi and the appearance of mold. Periodically check ventilation performance. With good traction, a sheet of paper attached to the ventilation grill will be prevented from falling. If there is not enough draft, clean the ventilation shaft. This work is best left to professionals, because people's health is at stake.
Often the temperature difference inside the pipe and indoors leads to the formation of condensate. This can be an impetus for the intensive development of fungus and mold. These formations cause an unpleasant odor in the room and adversely affect the health of residents. If this happens, then getting rid of the fungus will not be easy. It is necessary to remove excess moisture and warm the pipes. It is easier to do this when the bathroom is mounted without hard-to-reach areas. Otherwise, you will have to resort to dismantling.
Particular attention should be paid to the quality of pipe connections. They must ensure complete tightness. It is necessary to check all joints, clamps for leaks. If problem areas are found, you need to act on the situation - either tighten the clamps, or use specialized tools, such as sealant.
Prevention and Preventive Measures
To avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor from sewer pipes, it is enough to adhere to a number of rules for the operation of plumbing, as well as carry out preventive measures.
You need to use grates on the drain holes and do not throw garbage into the sewer (rags, pieces of paper, pieces of soap, cigarette butts). It is able to block the free flow of water, which will lead to blockage.
Periodically, you need to use specialized solutions that are suitable in composition for specific pipes. They are sold in hardware stores. You can use folk remedies, such as mustard powder, or table salt. There is a choice.
Do not allow physical deformation of the pipes, you need to ensure that there are no sagging. When the discharge angle changes, water masses may stagnate in localized areas. This will lead to the release of hydrogen sulfide and the appearance of a characteristic unpleasant odor. This is especially true for plastic pipes, you can not use them as a stand for heavy objects.
Even with good ventilation, a bath should be ventilated after taking a bath or shower. This will not allow moisture to collect, which can remain in the form of condensation and create the soil for mold and mildew.
It is necessary to pay attention to the work of the drain, siphon. He should not make characteristic sounds - gurgle, grunt. This is the first signal to a possible malfunction. Often this happens, after a long break in the use of sewage.
When buying new housing, you need to pay attention to the bathrooms. Visually, it is difficult for a non-specialist to determine whether he is mounted qualitatively. But gross defects such as sagging pipes, a sealant sticking out of the seams will be striking. It is necessary to empty the water through the pipes and make sure that it freely goes into the drain, without making extraneous sounds.
Conclusion
In order not to allow an unpleasant smell from the sewage system to spoil your mood, affect your emotional state and state of health, it is enough to observe a number of simple operating rules and, sometimes, resort to preventive measures. These precautions will avoid unnecessary problems and unplanned expenses for repairs and specialist services.
