In the mid-2000s, a rotten egg and garbage smell permeated throughout different parts of Las Vegas due to systematic problems in the public sewer systems from time to time. Although these issues have been long fixed, it is not uncommon for a residential or commercial property to be impacted by foul odors stemming from sewer gas, especially in parts of the property not in everyday use, such as the basement or storage room.

Odor problems can become a serious threat not just for your commercial or residential property but also for your health, so you need to hire a restoration service in Las Vegas immediately to find the source and fix any issues.

In this post, we’ll share what sewer gas can be in homes or commercial buildings, how it enters properties, and what you can do to stop it.

What is Sewer Gas?

Sewer gas is a complex mixture of toxic/non-toxic inorganic gases, such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, hydrogen, methane, and nitrogen. While most of these gases are harmless, long-term exposure to hydrogen sulfide can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, nausea, headache, and drowsiness. At extremely high levels, it can lead to poisoning, which can cause loss of consciousness or even death. Even if sewer gas doesn’t harm you physically, the combination of ingredients can result in an unbearable odor that even the best commercial deodorants cannot combat.

How Sewer Gas Enters Residential and Commercial Properties

The easiest and most common way for these gases to permeate into homes and commercial buildings is through plumbing, especially in older constructions with poor structural integrity due to long-term water damage. Other areas include restrooms, basements, storage, janitorial closets, and even the attic during summers. Here are the most common routes through which sewer gas enters residential or commercial properties in Las Vegas:

1.    Damaged Drain Lines

Cracked or burst drainage pipes can cause sewage to be released under the building’s foundation instead of being released into the septic tank or sewer outside. Although this is a rare occurrence, it can happen in older properties or after a disaster, such as a flood, fire, earthquake, or earthquake.

2.    Blocked Ventilation

Every modern property has a plumbing ventilation system for equalizing the atmospheric pressure caused by wastewater through the system and forcing sewer odors to escape. Due to malfunction or debris build-up, blockage in the ventilation disrupts the odor flow, forcing it to build up inside the building.

3.    A Dry Trap

A dry trap is usually the main culprit behind sewer gas in homes or commercial buildings. A trap is a simple U or P-shaped pipe that connects the floor drain in a kitchen or restroom with the sewer line. Therefore, it collects and holds a small amount of sullage or black water that prevents gases from the sewer line from entering the building. However, dried-out traps in unused areas of your building can allow sewer gases to pass into the indoor air.

4.    Sewage Backup

An obstruction usually causes a sewage backup in the tank or lines due to debris build-up following a flood or overgrown roots growing from negligence. Regardless of the reason, it can cause serious water damage to your property, contaminating everything in sight, including flooring, furniture, drywall, and appliances. Even after clean-up, the bad odor can remain for a long time until you hire professionals to step in and use sophisticated equipment and solutions to deodorize your space.

How to Get Rid of Sewer Gas Coming into Your Commercial or Residential Property

As with most property systems, your sewage and plumbing systems require regular maintenance. So, you need to hire a commercial and home restoration service in Las Vegas to inspect your property and take care of minor issues before they become a serious problem. However, there are some things you can do to either prevent or get rid of sewer gas coming into your property, such as:

1.    Keep Water in all the Traps

Find all the plumbing traps on your property – under the floor, wall, or under a sink or toilet – and fill them according to their water level. You can also pour some vegetable oil or salt into the water during the summer to help slow evaporation.

2.    Clean the Drains Regularly

Debris, toys, hair, and different particles can clog up the drains and obstruct air from escaping. All you have to do is remove the stopper and clean it regularly. You can also flush it with boiling water to push down any particles stuck to the pipes.

3.    Sewage Pump Up and Repairs

The best way to prevent a sewage backup that leads to long-lasting odor is to have your tank pumped and inspected by professionals regularly. They can remove any debris in the lines and fix cracks caused by overgrown roots as well.

Expert Restoration Services – 911 Restoration of Las Vegas

At 911 Restoration of Las Vegas, we aim to help educate our clients and readers on preventing or getting rid of bad odors in their properties. However, if the odor persists, we’re just a phone call away from arriving at your property and thoroughly assessing your plumbing and sewage system to make the necessary repairs required to irradicate the sewer gas.

Feel free to call us for more information regarding our restoration services in Vegas and hire the best restoration professionals in town to take care of your property.