A sewage smell usually indicates that a plumbing problem is causing sewer gas to come up through your drains, or sewage has spilled on your property. Either way, you must bring in professional sewage cleaners and plumbers to fix the issue, clear up any sewage, and neutralise the odour.
ICE Cleaning is a specialist cleaning company that offers fast and effective sewage cleaning services. Its biohazard specialists can clean and decontaminate the affected area, and they can be on site in a matter of hours in an emergency.
Keep reading to find out what is causing the unpleasant odour in your kitchen.
What is sewer gas?
Sewer gas is a mixture of gases produced during the decomposition of waste in sewers. It is made up of several toxic and non-toxic gases including hydrogen sulphide (which makes it smell like rotten eggs), ammonia, methane, and carbon monoxide.
Exposure to some of the gases can put you and others at risk of injury and health problems. Hydrogen sulphide, for instance, could irritate the eyes and respiratory track, and cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea. It is flammable like methane, too, and therefore poses a fire risk.
Sewage also contains lots of different bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Touching or ingesting sewage can cause serious health problems, such as gastroenteritis.
What can cause it to enter your kitchen?
There are lots of reasons why sewer gas could have come up through the drains in your property. Fortunately, most are easy and quick for a plumber to fix.
- Dry P-traps: These U-shaped sections of pipe underneath the drain are normally filled with water to stop sewer gases travelling up and through the drain. If you have not used the sink in a while, the water can evaporate.
- The vent is clogged or damaged: Vents help water and sewage flow freely, but can often be blocked by leaves, bird nests, or other debris. This means the sewer gas could get trapped in the pipe and back up into your home.
- There is a blockage in the sewer line: Oil, fat, and other debris can cause clogs in the mainline, making sewer gas and wastewater back up into your property when you flush the toilet, for example.
- Mould and bacteria are making the drain smell: Drains are wet, dirty, and dark, and provide the optimal conditions for substances like mould, mildew, and bacteria to grow. They can give off their own odours which are often confused for sewer gas.
A local plumber can usually provide timely solutions to plumbing problems such as drain services scarborough, potentially arriving within the week of the incident.
To find out more about ICE Cleaning’s broad range of services, visit the website.