ODOR DETECTION
When there's a sewage smell in your house or business, the first thing you'll want to do is find the source and try to get rid of it. However, there are several potential causes of that odor, and pinpointing where exactly it's coming from may not be easy.
At Dash Drains, we understand the discomfort that the distinctive rotten egg smell can bring to your home. So, we offer sewer odor detection services for residential and commercial properties in Beverly, Massachusetts and surrounding areas throughout the North Shore. Our professionals can help you find the source of the stink and then make the necessary repairs to improve the quality of air at your property.
What to Do When Your Drain Smells Bad
Sewer problems stink metaphorically and literally! When your home or business premises have a sewage odor that won't go away no matter what you do, or you are wondering why your shower drain smells bad, it could be a sign of a significant underlying issue with your plumbing system. These smells can happen when a vent malfunctions and lets sewer gasses escape into your property. A damaged drain line could also cause sewage leaks.
You'll know you need odor detection services when:
- You can't get rid of a sewer smell in your bathroom sink, shower or kitchen sink.
- There's a foul smell coming from your toilet, even after flushing or cleaning it several times.
- The people in your home or business experience irritated eyes, nose and throat, start coughing or experience shortness of breath. These symptoms are usually caused by hydrogen sulfide, which can cause shock, convulsions and rapid loss of consciousness when in high concentrations.
If you are smelling a foul odor in your property, especially near any plumbing or drains, or experience the symptoms above we can help diagnose the cause. Our skilled technicians can sniff out the source of the leak, make sure you and your family are not in any immediate danger, and create a plan to fix it.
Our Approach to Odor Detection
Odors can be hard to find, which is why we start with the simplest of ways to detect and resolve the issue using our many years of experience and knowledge of sewer and drain systems. As a trusted odor removal company, we begin by checking around toilets and drains, and when needed, we can bring out the bigger equipment — from hand-held detectors to machines that fill the whole sewer system with a safe smoke test. Here's a breakdown of the methods we use to detect sewage smell in houses and businesses:
- Sewer gas detectors: We use gas detectors to check the amounts of methane and hydrogen sulfide in the air. These aren't gasses usually found in your home, so the sensor will beep even when they're present in small amounts.
- Camera inspections: We use high-definition cameras to see the interior of your pipes in real time. This helps us identify blockages, breaks and other issues that might be causing the sewer smell.
- Smoke testing: We blow non-toxic smoke into the sewer lines and then monitor where it escapes. This is another way to reveal cracks, leaks and faulty connections that may be letting sewer gasses escape.
Odor Detection
Sewer odors, at the minimum, are unpleasant. In the worst cases, they can be dangerous. Ensuring that your sewer is regularly maintained provides not only a preventative maintenance measure, but it could help pinpoint some potential problems and raise a red flag before sewage backs up into your home or business.
Strange sulfur odors in or around your home or business don't just stink like rotten eggs, but they are also a major indicator that your sewer could be at the breaking point. Dash Drains can help to detect what is causing weird smells and make any necessary repairs to prevent a major issue.
With our odor detection services, we are able to determine exactly where odors are coming from and quickly work to find a solution before you end up with a major blockage in your pipes or a backup into your property. More than that, sewage odor indicates that decaying material could be building up in your system and could be a serious health risk if untreated.
Sewage odor in your space is usually the result of one of the following three situations:
- A dry trap: The function of water traps is to block sewer gasses from entering your property through the drains. If the drain line is not often used, it could dry out, and the trap seal could break.
- A malfunctioning vent: If the vent system is not working properly, sewer gases could escape and enter your home
- A damaged drain line: If the drain line between the trap and the main sewer is damaged, water and sewage can leak out and cause the noxious odor that you're smelling.
Three Ways To Avoid Bad Sewer Smells
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Have your system regularly serviced with preventative maintenance
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Have regular inspections performed on your septic tank
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Don’t let plumbing problems go ignored
Why Choose Dash Drains?
When you use our sewer cleanout and odor detection services, we will find the source of the smell – which is usually a crack or other damage in the sewer or septic tank – and repair it as quickly as possible. We will ensure you receive the highest quality service that includes benefits such as:
Same-day service
Free estimates over the phone for all drain services
Emergency services 24/7
Call us the second you detect the odor and we'll send a technician out as soon as possible. We offer emergency residential and commercial plumbing for Salem, Quincy, Ipswich, Georgetown and the surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Odor Detection
How Does Odor Detection in Plumbing Systems Work?
Odor detection in plumbing systems involves identifying the source of foul smells and determining what type of repair is necessary. Odor detection traces gases back to their entry points into your home or building so that a technician can resolve the complication directly at the source.
What Causes a Sewer Odor in a House or Commercial Building?
Hydrogen sulfide and methane gases escaping from the plumbing system cause sewer odors in a house. These gases may enter your home due to the following complications:
- Dry water trap
- A Malfunctioning vent system
- Drain line damage
- A broken toilet wax seal
What Methods Do You Use to Find the Source of the Smell?
At Dash Drain, we use these safe sewer gas testing methods to find the source of a smell:
- Visual checks: Our first step is to check around your drains and toilets for visual signs of damage.
- Gas detection: Our team uses sewer gas detectors to determine how much hydrogen sulfide and methane is in your home or building's air.
- Drain camera inspections: Waterproof, high-resolution cameras allow us to view the inside of your sewer system in real time. With these tools, we can quickly identify damage and blockages that may cause a sewer odor.
- Smoke tests: A smoke test involves blowing smoke into your sewer lines and monitoring where it escapes. This is a safe test that reveals leaks, faulty connections and cracks that may allow sewer gases to escape.
Do You Offer Emergency Odor Detection Services?
Yes, we offer emergency odor detection services. If you notice a sudden sewer odor in your home or commercial building, you can depend on Dash Drains to respond quickly.
Can You Fix the Problem After Detecting the Odor?
Yes, our technicians can fix drain problems after detecting an odor and identifying its source. We offer drain maintenance and repair services such as the following:
- Pipe snaking
- Pipe lining
- High-pressure drain jetting
- Septic tank cleaning
With 23 years of experience, we’ve encountered just about every drainage issue. As a family-run business affectionately named after our family dog, we take pride in delivering fast and effective solutions for all your drainage needs.
We proudly serve a variety of commercial clients, from restaurants to our local college. Our team of skilled professionals is equipped to resolve drain problems with minimal disruption to your employees and customers.
Your satisfaction is our top priority. We’re proud to extend our services to both commercial and residential clients. Click here to read the glowing reviews from our happy clients.
We’re here for you around the clock. For any plumbing emergencies, contact our 24/7 hotline, and we’ll be ready to assist as soon as possible.
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