Re: sewage smell coming from shower drain

Posted by Deb on January 15, 2004 at 11:41:57:
In response to Re: sewage smell coming from shower drain
: : : A very strong sewage smell comes up from our shower drain after taking a shower. A plumber was recently out to the house and found no reason for this to be happening. He said we may have to pay quite a bit of money to run a camera down through the pipe to see if there is a possible crack. : : : Have you ever heard of this problem? If so, any ideas on what may be causing it? : : : Thanks. : : Reply: : : A crack in the shower drain line would not cause odor while or after showering if the drain trap is holding water while you shower and when you're finished. The water seal in the drain trap is what prevents odors from being emitted from the drain. : : Did this problem just start or has it been ongoing? The odor may be from the water itself. : : Good Luck. e-plumber : it has been going on for several months. The plumber says that the crack may be in the vent pipe and will have to run a camera from where it comes out of the roof. The cost for doing this is prohibitve, and the diagnosis, once established is even worse. Is there a cheaper way to do this, or do we just need to do it and be done with it? It doesn't make any sense to a lay person that if there is water holding in the bend of the pipe, an odor should be coming from that same pipe and through the water...am i nuts? : Please, any suggestions would be appreciated. If there is water in the p-trap, the smell is NOT coming through the water--that is what the water seal is for. The plumber is saying tht there is a possibility of a crack in the vent pipe on the other side of the water seal. You can do a smoke or peppermint test which may pinpoint the problem without the cost of a camera (absolutely the best method, but expensive). Deb The Pipewench

Posted by Deb on January 15, 2004 at 11:41:57:

In response to Re: sewage smell coming from shower drain

: : : A very strong sewage smell comes up from our shower drain after taking a shower. A plumber was recently out to the house and found no reason for this to be happening. He said we may have to pay quite a bit of money to run a camera down through the pipe to see if there is a possible crack.

: : : Have you ever heard of this problem? If so, any ideas on what may be causing it?

: : : Thanks.

: : Reply:
: : A crack in the shower drain line would not cause odor while or after showering if the drain trap is holding water while you shower and when you're finished. The water seal in the drain trap is what prevents odors from being emitted from the drain.
: : Did this problem just start or has it been ongoing? The odor may be from the water itself.
: : Good Luck. e-plumber

: it has been going on for several months. The plumber says that the crack may be in the vent pipe and will have to run a camera from where it comes out of the roof. The cost for doing this is prohibitve, and the diagnosis, once established is even worse. Is there a cheaper way to do this, or do we just need to do it and be done with it? It doesn't make any sense to a lay person that if there is water holding in the bend of the pipe, an odor should be coming from that same pipe and through the water...am i nuts?
: Please, any suggestions would be appreciated.

If there is water in the p-trap, the smell is NOT coming through the water--that is what the water seal is for. The plumber is saying tht there is a possibility of a crack in the vent pipe on the other side of the water seal. You can do a smoke or peppermint test which may pinpoint the problem without the cost of a camera (absolutely the best method, but expensive).
Deb
The Pipewench

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