Why in Nashville does the house smell like sewage during storms?

 

Understanding the Problem: Sewage Smell During Storms

  Sometimes when it rains hard, you might notice a bad, sewer-like odor coming into your home. This smell is usually caused by changes in your plumbing system during storms. In simple terms, your plumbing has paths for clean water to come in and waste water to go out, and these systems use water to block unwanted smells coming in from the sewer. When heavy rain hits, it can disturb this balance.

 

How Your Plumbing Keeps Sewer Gases Out

  There are two very important components in your plumbing that work together to prevent sewer gases from entering your house:

• Water Traps: These are curved sections of the pipe, often found under sinks or in floor drains. They hold a little water to act as a barrier between the sewer and your living space. Think of it like a little moat that stops nasty gases from crossing over.
• Venting Pipes: These pipes help equalize pressure in your plumbing system. They let in fresh air and allow sewer gases to escape outside instead of seeping into your home.

 

What Happens During a Storm

  During heavy rain, several things can go wrong:

• Overwhelmed Sewer Systems: When a storm comes in, the amount of water flowing into the sewer system can become enormous. This extra water may push sewer gases back toward your home if the system isn’t able to handle the surge.
• Air Pressure Imbalance: The plumbing vents are designed to keep air pressure balanced. However, when a storm is raging, strong winds or water surges can create negative pressure. This negative pressure can pull water out of the water traps in your home, breaking the barrier that keeps sewer odors at bay.
• Blockages: Sometimes debris or even insects can clog the venting pipes. A blocked vent can lead the system to behave unpredictably during a storm and force sewer gases to find another way out – often into your home.

 

How Storm Conditions Create the Odor

  Imagine your plumbing as a network of tubes that must always remain balanced. During a storm:

• Heavy rain increases water pressure in the sewer lines outside, which can force air and gases back into your home instead of letting them escape.
• If the water in a trap is siphoned away due to the pressure changes, that barrier is broken, and sewer gases flow back in, resulting in the unpleasant smell you notice.
• Sometimes, cracks or improper installation in the sewer lines can worsen this issue, making it easier for these gases to escape during storms.

 

Simple Steps to Prevent the Problem

  While diagnosing and fixing these issues often requires professional help, here are a few things you can check:

• Water in Traps: Ensure that every sink, toilet, and floor drain has some water in its trap. If you rarely use a particular drain, run some water to refill the trap.
• Clear Vent Pipes: Look for any visible blockages on the vent pipes, especially on the roof. Sometimes debris, leaves, or bird nests can clog these openings.
• Professional Inspection: Given the complexity, it’s a good idea to have a professional plumber examine your system. A well-maintained system will address any cracks, blockages, or installation errors that are letting the odor in. This is something that companies like St. Louis and Nashville experts are well-equipped to handle without unnecessary upsell or fuss.

 

In Summary

  The sewage smell during storms in your home is most often due to the high volume of stormwater affecting the balance in your plumbing. When too much water enters the sewer system, or if there are blockages or pressure imbalances in your plumbing vents or water traps, sewer gases can sneak back into your living areas. This disruption causes the noticeable, unpleasant odor. Maintaining proper water seals in traps, ensuring clear vent pipes, and having periodic professional inspections will help minimize this issue.