Stop Sewer Gas From Entering Your Broken Arrow Home

If you need to stop sewer gas from entering your home, you’re probably already well aware of how crucial this problem is. After all, the odor is unmistakable and can permeate your entire premise.Your plumbing contains built-in safety features to stop sewer gas from tainting your indoor environment. However, simple malfunctions in these safeguards may result in noxious odors pervading your living space. Here are some possible causes and cures:

• The U-shaped traps in drain pipes under sinks contain water at all times in order to seal out sewer gas from flowing into your home. If a sink isn’t utilized for a long period of time or there’s a leak in the trap coupling, water inside the trap may dry up or leak out. Run water into all sinks to make sure all traps contain water and check underneath them to make sure they’re not leaking.

• Check for a sewer cleanout plug in your basement floor drain. Remove the floor drain grate and make sure the plug is intac and tightened.

• Sewer gas may infiltrate through a defective wax ring seal around the base of your toilet. The wax seal may have deteriorated if the toilet feels loose or rocks. The services of a professional plumber will be required to remove your toilet and replace the seal. Also, while the trap normally contains water, if the toilet hasn’t been used for an extended period, the trap may go dry.

• Sewer vent pipes extend through the attic and terminate at the roof. When functioning properly, these vents intake air to equalize pressure in sewer pipes as waste material passes through. If a sewer vent is blocked by leaves, birds nests or other obstructions, air intake is obstructed. The resultant vacuum in the sewer line may suck water out of sink traps, allowing sewer gas to infiltrate your home. A plumber can access your sewer vents from the roof and clear obstructions.

For professional plumbing service in Broken Arrow, contact Air Assurance today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “pockygallery/Shutterstock”

What to Do If You Smell Gas in Your Home

The smell of gas is strong and unpleasant, which is a good thing when it comes to home safety. A whiff of this pungent odor is a clear indicator that your home and those within it are in danger. If you smell gas in your home, you need to take immediate steps to protect your entire family. 

The Dangers of Gas

There are many potential causes of gas leaks in a home. They can include anything from a faulty stove igniter to a blown pilot light in a furnace. Any of these things can result in an accumulation of gas in your home. Note that it takes less gas than you think for there to be a dangerous situation. A room only needs to be filled with 25 percent gas to result in an explosion.

Gas Leak Safety Procedures

If you smell gas in your home, safety should be your primary concern. It's important that there be no naked flames in your home. Avoid smoking, lighting matches or using electrical appliances as any of these things could cause a spark and ignite the gas.You should also open windows and doors to provide ventilation. If possible, you should find your gas valve and turn it off. Your next step should be to contact your gas provider or HVAC service provider for emergency assistance.

A gas leak in your home is a serious problem that can cause harm to your family, along with major property damage. If you have a gas leak or want more information about how to stay safe if one occurs, contact Air Assurance. We've been providing HVAC services to the Tulsa and Broken Arrow areas since 1985. Our HVAC professionals are trained to service gas appliances and will be happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “doglikehorse/Shutterstock”