Common causes of a sewage smell
Some of these are plumbing problems with no contamination to clean. Others leave sewage-soaked materials behind, and the odor will continue until those are removed.
- Dry drain traps in rarely used sinks, tubs or floor drains
- Blocked or damaged plumbing vents
- Leaking drain lines, often under the house in a crawlspace
- Failed toilet wax rings that let gases and water seep under the floor
- Septic system problems
- Insulation or soil still holding contamination from an earlier backup
Plumbing first, then cleanup
If a pipe, seal or vent is failing, the repair comes before anything else; cleaning around an active leak only postpones the problem. Plumbing repair is work for a plumber, and we are glad to coordinate timing so we can clean once the leak is fixed. That order also avoids paying to clean the same area twice.
Where a past backup or leak left contamination, we handle the cleanup. We can also tell you whether what we find looks like a plumbing issue worth having checked.
How we clean up the source
- Investigate We inspect bathrooms, laundry areas, basements and the crawlspace to find where sewage has reached.
- Remove contaminated materials Soaked insulation, flooring, drywall and debris are removed and bagged, and subfloors that took on sewage are cleaned or flagged for replacement. In crawlspaces, affected vapor barrier may also need replacing.
- Clean and disinfect Hard surfaces are cleaned first and then disinfected with EPA-registered products used per label.
- Dry Areas are dried so lingering moisture does not keep odor going or encourage growth.
- Deodorize if needed If odor persists after the source is gone, we may use deodorization equipment suited to the space.
Why sewage residue is a health concern
The IICRC classifies sewage as Category 3 water, meaning grossly contaminated water that can contain harmful agents. CDC notes that contact with water containing human waste can cause gastrointestinal illness, wound infections and rashes, and recommends discarding porous items that cannot be disinfected.
If you have to enter a contaminated area, wear rubber boots and gloves, keep children and pets out, and wash clothing that touched sewage in hot water with detergent.
Homes and businesses
Homes built over crawlspaces often have drain lines running underneath, and a slow leak there can go unnoticed for months because nobody sees it. Rental properties are similar, and tenants often notice the smell first. In restaurants, offices and other businesses, sewage odor tends to show up in restrooms, floor drains and kitchens. We can schedule commercial work after hours when that helps.
If you are dealing with an active backup rather than a lingering smell, see sewage backup cleanup or crawlspace sewage cleanup.
What to avoid while you wait
Try not to mask the smell with candles or sprays, since that makes it harder to tell where the odor is strongest. Avoid crawling under the house to pull out wet insulation yourself without protective gear. If a fixture seems to cause the problem, stop using it until a plumber has looked at it, and pour water into unused drains to refill their traps.
Limits and referrals
Septic pumping and repair, sewer line work and venting fixes go to a plumber or septic contractor. If moisture has led to mold growth beyond what our cleanup addresses, a mold professional should assess it. Insurance coverage for sewage damage depends on the policy, and backups are often covered only by a separate endorsement, so check with your agent. We handle sewage odor jobs in every county of Middle Tennessee.