Why does the basement smell of raw sewage?

Answer 1

It could possibly be coming from the drain. There is water in the drain that goes to your septic or holding tank even city sewer that stays in the pipe acting as a plug to prevent the odor from coming up. Same as an elbow on a sink drain. If that water evaporated or somehow drained, then your drain now has a direct contact to the sewer/septic. Imagin it being like a snorkle connecting the sewer gas to your basement. If this is your problem the fix is easy. Simply pull the floor drain cap up, usually two or three screws. Pull out any debris that may have gotten down in there. Pour a few gallons of water down the drain. You should see water in the drain at all times, but still pour a few gallons down. Your creating a plug between your basement and the sewer. After this is done, vent the room with fans. Wait a few hours and see if the smell is gone. If it's still there you may have a bigger problem. Call a plumber who can narrow down the causes in just a few minutes. ALSO, maybe just check around with a flash light, you might find the source of the smell is simply a dead mouse!

Answer 2

Sewer may be backed up; something too big for the pipes could have been flushed, there could be a clog somewhere in the pipes and the water can't get through..Or maybe the piping was just done incorrectly and as a result, you get to smell what you just flushed for many pleasant weeks..

Answer 3

Mine doesn't smell at all, but then again I make sure all trap seals are replenished.

Answer 4

This could be a venting problem or a blockage somewhere in the line.