Why You Might Need a Plumber If Your Home Smells Funny

Bad smells in your home can have numerous causes. While most cases are relatively benign, a few could lead to significant repair costs or even pose a dangerous situation.

The problem with odors is how difficult it can be to identify the source. Sometimes, you may even need to hire a professional plumber to get to the bottom of it. But if you know what you’re looking for and what some of the smells could mean, it can help you get the right kind of help to deal with it.

Below, you’ll find some of the most common household odors and their likely causes.

Odors caused by water leaks

Typically, the first indicator of a water leak is a musty smell, the kind you might find in a cellar or basement. However, the leak may have already done substantial damage to your home at that point. If you do smell a damp mustiness, you should contact a professional without delay.

The smell itself is only a symptom, so finding a reliable plumber to detect the leak and repair it is a top priority.

Mold odors

If you see or smell mold around your home, it could also be a sign of water leaks. While some mold around showers or other humid areas isn’t uncommon, large amounts of visible mold should concern you.

Excessive mold odor around the bathroom or kitchen sink is often tied to a problem in the plumbing of your home. If you notice such smells, immediately try to find the cause and take steps to repair or restrain the leak until you can contact a professional.

Sewage smell or rotten egg smell

The smell of raw sewage around the home could be a plumbing problem as well. Beneath your sink, there is a bend in the plumbing called a J-trap or P-trap. It serves to create a water seal between the sink and the rest of the plumbing system by retaining water.

If the trap dries up - usually occurring after long periods of disuse - there is nothing to stop odors from the sewage seeping into your home. Moreover, if your trap is clogged and doesn’t allow water to flow freely, the water retained in it can become stagnant.

Either way, if there is a smell of sewage coming out of your sink, it may mean you need to replace or clean your trap.

It’s important to note that a gas leak could cause a similar smell as well. Natural gas additives intentionally make it smell like sewage or rotten eggs to make a leak easier to detect. So if you smell a strong rotten egg aroma, leave the area and call a technician immediately.

Protect your home

This is not a comprehensive list of smells you may detect in your home. But they are some of the most common ones you’re likely to encounter.

Remember, if you have any doubts, it’s better to hire a professional rather than bear the financial consequences of being wrong.

If you need a licensed, bonded, insured plumber for your Phoenix area leak or your next plumbing project, call MNS Plumbing today at 602-362-4524.