What is that HORRIBLE SMELL? VACANT Home, or went on a VACATION?
Being a lake community, we have lots of weekenders. Whether you are selling your home or not, if your home is not being used regularly, this is a post that you need to read!
What is that HORRIBLE SMELL?
Selling a home and have to leave it vacant? Going on an extended vacation? Have a rarely used sink, tub or toilet in your home?
Be aware that failure to run water down ALL of the drains can cause sewer or septic tank gas to invade your home.
It is caused by the water in the S traps and/or P traps evaporating enough that it siphoned out (breaking the seal) leaving the traps empty.
Sewer gas odor comes from the decomposition of waste, and when the traps in your sinks, laundry, showers, toilets or floor drains dry out, (The water IS the seal) sewer or septic tank gas comes in.
This gas is combustible, contains methane and can make you sick!
This will emit sewer gas odor into the home.
If you have a vacant home for sale, be sure to run water down ALL the drains occasionally to replace the water in the trap that evaporated.
When going on extended vacations, have someone check in and run some water in all the drains. Also run water occasionally in a tub, sink, shower, or toilet that you rarely use. This will replace the water that has evaporated, and prevent sewer or septic tank gases from invading your home.
If it's too late, and your home is overwhelmed with THAT Horrible Smell...
OPEN ALL the DOORS and WINDOWS.
Place a FAN blowing the air outside.
Run water down the drain.
Add a deodorizer to the running water (Pine Sol, Mr. Clean, etc.)Hope you found these tips helpful!
Cheryl Dickson
Affordable Inspections ASAP
eMail: InspectASAP@aol.com
www.GrandJunctionHomeInspection.com
Member of the Grand Junction Area Realtor's Association
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