|
Home > Archive > Plumbing forum > October 2005 > sewer gas smell
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
|
|
|
| We recently had our basement redone,, a new slab poured and new underground
sewer drawings installed.
Traps were installed for all new fixture locations.
The work was completed about 2 months ago.. and more recently.. we have been
smelling sewer gas. It seems to occur primarily when our washing machine is
running. My concern is that we did not install a laundry tub for lack of
room. The washing machine drain empties directly into a pipe that sticks
above the floor 1" , is trapped below the slab,, and runs down into the
sanitary. I'm concerned the pressure of the washing machine is sucking the
vents dry.. any suggestions?
Thankyou in advance.
| |
| PipeDown 2005-10-03, 8:21 pm |
| Sounds more like the water pressure is siphoning the trap dry, vents are
supposed to be dry. Try extending the tube up 2-3 feet from the floor so
that your not pumping water directly into the trap under pressure. Make
sure you have an adequate air gap around the drain tube so that it drains
more by gravity than by the pressure of the washer pump. Verify your trap
is not broken and draining from the bottom after you use it (look inside
with a flashlight, usually you can see the water surface if there is no bend
first)
"sw" <swisemans@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:KDa0f.2730$2F2.242023@news20.bellglobal.com...
> We recently had our basement redone,, a new slab poured and new
> underground sewer drawings installed.
> Traps were installed for all new fixture locations.
>
> The work was completed about 2 months ago.. and more recently.. we have
> been smelling sewer gas. It seems to occur primarily when our washing
> machine is running. My concern is that we did not install a laundry tub
> for lack of room. The washing machine drain empties directly into a pipe
> that sticks above the floor 1" , is trapped below the slab,, and runs
> down into the sanitary. I'm concerned the pressure of the washing machine
> is sucking the vents dry.. any suggestions?
> Thankyou in advance.
>
>
>
| |
| Bob Wheatley 2005-10-03, 8:21 pm |
| "sw" <swisemans@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:KDa0f.2730$2F2.242023@news20.bellglobal.com...
> We recently had our basement redone,, a new slab poured and new
> underground sewer drawings installed.
> Traps were installed for all new fixture locations.
>
> The work was completed about 2 months ago.. and more recently.. we have
> been smelling sewer gas. It seems to occur primarily when our washing
> machine is running. My concern is that we did not install a laundry tub
> for lack of room. The washing machine drain empties directly into a pipe
> that sticks above the floor 1" , is trapped below the slab,, and runs
> down into the sanitary. I'm concerned the pressure of the washing machine
> is sucking the vents dry.. any suggestions?
> Thankyou in advance.
>
If the trap is vented properly it will not siphon dry. That said, anything
is possible without actually laying my eyes on the situation itself.
However, if you think it is tied to the washer drain, try this:
When the washer is actually draining, check the area for smell. As soon as
the washer is finished pour a couple of quarts of water slowly down the
drain that is 1" above the floor. Check again for smell.
Let us know if either or both circumstances result in sewer gas smell.
Also, is the sewer effluent discharged via sump pump?
Bob Wheatley
| |
| Ned Flanders 2005-10-03, 9:21 pm |
| > room. The washing machine drain empties directly into a pipe that sticks
> above the floor 1" , is trapped below the slab,, and runs down into the
> sanitary.
Did the plumber ever come back and install a standpipe and trap?? I find it
hard to belive the trap would be under the cement in the slab. The
instalation you have described to us here is not complete and or not up to
code.
| |
| Ned Flanders 2005-10-03, 9:21 pm |
| BTW, I always try to put my washer box into a 2 inch p-trap that dumps into
a 2 inch san tee. I vent my washer and use 2 inch and use p-trap, never a
problem and it all fits in wall nicely and can be snaked very easy.
"Bob Wheatley" <xmaster.dancer@directway.com> wrote in message
news:11k3d4pi5u1es2b@corp.supernews.com...
> "sw" <swisemans@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:KDa0f.2730$2F2.242023@news20.bellglobal.com...
>
>
> If the trap is vented properly it will not siphon dry. That said, anything
> is possible without actually laying my eyes on the situation itself.
> However, if you think it is tied to the washer drain, try this:
> When the washer is actually draining, check the area for smell. As soon as
> the washer is finished pour a couple of quarts of water slowly down the
> drain that is 1" above the floor. Check again for smell.
> Let us know if either or both circumstances result in sewer gas smell.
> Also, is the sewer effluent discharged via sump pump?
>
>
> Bob Wheatley
>
>
>
| |
| Bob Wheatley 2005-10-03, 9:21 pm |
|
"Ned Flanders" <mrstinky@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:Aaj0f.4050$sG2.3367@trndny08...
> BTW, I always try to put my washer box into a 2 inch p-trap that dumps
> into a 2 inch san tee. I vent my washer and use 2 inch and use p-trap,
> never a problem and it all fits in wall nicely and can be snaked very
> easy.
>
>
Agreed.
And we would also "normally" expect that the standpipe from the trap would
not be 1" above the floor and would probably tie into a washer box that is
at least 36" above the floor to the flood rim.
My guess is that if someone put the trap below grade that they probably were
not compelled to adhere to neither standard codes or practices.
Bob Wheatley
| |
| Mark Monson 2005-10-03, 10:21 pm |
| Bob Wheatley wrote:
> "Ned Flanders" <mrstinky@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:Aaj0f.4050$sG2.3367@trndny08...
>
>
>
>
> Agreed.
> And we would also "normally" expect that the standpipe from the trap would
> not be 1" above the floor and would probably tie into a washer box that is
> at least 36" above the floor to the flood rim.
> My guess is that if someone put the trap below grade that they probably were
> not compelled to adhere to neither standard codes or practices.
Without checking, I believe the IPC requires a minimum standpipe of 24"
before the trap.
MM
| |
| Bob Wheatley 2005-10-03, 11:21 pm |
| "Mark Monson" <mmonson@ttech.net> wrote in message
news:UCk0f.212$K8.158@bignews7.bellsouth.net...
> Bob Wheatley wrote:
>
> Without checking, I believe the IPC requires a minimum standpipe of 24"
> before the trap.
>
> MM
Without checking, is the IPC a real code? :> )
Bob Wheatley
| |
| Mark Monson 2005-10-04, 5:21 pm |
| Bob Wheatley wrote:
> "Mark Monson" <mmonson@ttech.net> wrote in message
> news:UCk0f.212$K8.158@bignews7.bellsouth.net...
>
>
>
>
>
> Without checking, is the IPC a real code? :> )
No, it's the Internet Pretend Code.
MM
| |
|
| Truth is.. I was the one who instructed the plumber to put the trap beneath
the slab... I was arguing with him over some other issues and chose this
issue to stand my ground.. now I look back and realize iim going to have a
heck of a time cleaning the thing out.. im considering breaking up the conc
myself and moving the trap to a point above conc.. but I will definitely
follow the advice of extending the pipe to 2' above ground.. perhaps a wider
pipe to ensure that the machine isn't blowing out the trap that is currently
there.
One of the notes above mentioned a "washer box",,, what is that?
"Ned Flanders" <mrstinky@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:86j0f.5365$MO2.1245@trndny09...
>
> Did the plumber ever come back and install a standpipe and trap?? I find
> it hard to belive the trap would be under the cement in the slab. The
> instalation you have described to us here is not complete and or not up to
> code.
>
| |
| Bob Wheatley 2005-10-04, 7:21 pm |
| "sw" <swisemans@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:QCB0f.2061$R4.268877@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Truth is.. I was the one who instructed the plumber to put the trap
> beneath the slab... I was arguing with him over some other issues and
> chose this issue to stand my ground.. now I look back and realize iim
> going to have a heck of a time cleaning the thing out.. im considering
> breaking up the conc myself and moving the trap to a point above conc..
> but I will definitely follow the advice of extending the pipe to 2' above
> ground.. perhaps a wider pipe to ensure that the machine isn't blowing out
> the trap that is currently there.
>
> One of the notes above mentioned a "washer box",,, what is that?
>
>
Here ya' go.....
Typical residential type box:
https://secure.smoothcorp.com/2/ite...alves/item.html
Set the top of the box at about 42" and you'll be good to go. This is
designed to go "inside" a wall but I am unsure if that is possible because
it sounds like you have multiple issues going on here.
Although I must admit that I find poetic justice with you predicament. I
guess you know that you got what you deserved, right?
And BTW, back in the 70's we used to commonly put the trap and standpipe on
the inside or outside of the wall and simply use an 1/8 bend (45) at the top
in lieu of the washer box.
Bob Wheatley
| |
| Ned Flanders 2005-10-04, 8:21 pm |
| """" I was the one who instructed the plumber to put the trap beneath
the slab... I was arguing with him over some other issues and chose this
issue to stand my ground.. """"
This is the kind of shit that drives me nuts. Stupid home owner gonna tell
me how to do my job, always with some STUPID fucking idea they scheme up.
They then want to sell the house to some poor unsuspecting home buyer.
I am happy to hear that your XXXXXXX actions have cost you. Let this be a
lesson to you next time you assume you are soooo fucking smart and can tell
an expert how to do their job.
This makes my day to hear about this. I hope a giant brown shit backs up out
of your gay little hole in your slab; your stinky little shit hole in a
house created by an XXXXXXX like a shit. Inhale and enjoy your babby.
putz.
"Bob Wheatley" <xmaster.dancer@directway.com> wrote in message
news:11k5sgpl6cbpo4f@corp.supernews.com...
> "sw" <swisemans@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:QCB0f.2061$R4.268877@news20.bellglobal.com...
>
>
>
> Here ya' go.....
> Typical residential type box:
> https://secure.smoothcorp.com/2/ite...alves/item.html
>
> Set the top of the box at about 42" and you'll be good to go. This is
> designed to go "inside" a wall but I am unsure if that is possible because
> it sounds like you have multiple issues going on here.
> Although I must admit that I find poetic justice with you predicament. I
> guess you know that you got what you deserved, right?
>
> And BTW, back in the 70's we used to commonly put the trap and standpipe
> on the inside or outside of the wall and simply use an 1/8 bend (45) at
> the top in lieu of the washer box.
>
>
> Bob Wheatley
>
>
>
>
| |
| Bob Wheatley 2005-10-04, 9:21 pm |
| "Ned Flanders" <mrstinky@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:OtD0f.127$026.103@trndny09...
> """" I was the one who instructed the plumber to put the trap beneath
> the slab... I was arguing with him over some other issues and chose this
> issue to stand my ground.. """"
>
> This is the kind of shit that drives me nuts. Stupid home owner gonna
> tell me how to do my job, always with some STUPID fucking idea they scheme
> up. They then want to sell the house to some poor unsuspecting home buyer.
>
> I am happy to hear that your XXXXXXX actions have cost you. Let this be a
> lesson to you next time you assume you are soooo fucking smart and can
> tell an expert how to do their job.
>
> This makes my day to hear about this. I hope a giant brown shit backs up
> out of your gay little hole in your slab; your stinky little shit hole in
> a house created by an XXXXXXX like a shit. Inhale and enjoy your babby.
>
> putz.
>
Yeah, that tickled me too.:> )
How many times have you had to argue with a fucking moron who has read some
idiotic "how to" book and suddenly knows your job better than you or your 20
years experience?
Bob Wheatley
|
|
|
|
|