Odors Inside Houses or Buildings
Sewage odor or gas is always present in the sewer system and cannot be eliminated. This is why there are provisions in the uniform plumbing code to ensure that vent pipes and traps are installed to the house plumbing systems. Vent pipes on the roof tops allow the sewer system to breath. Traps are installed to retain a small amount of water which acts as a seal to prevent sewer gasses from entering the home.
Common Causes
If sewer odor is detected you should look for these common causes:
Caps on floor traps and clean outs are not properly installed
Infrequently used drains no longer have water in the trap
Clean out plugs are removed from the inside of floor drains
Cracked or separated vent pipes in the interior of the structure will allow sewer gas into your house
Visually check for one of these conditions and correct if needed (if odor problems continue, have your plumber check out the entire house system for any drain system air leaks)
Additional Information
If you have additional questions please call the City Utilities Sanitary Sewer Division at 816-228-0195 for further assistance.