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PLUMBING SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR

AGE of PLUMBING MATERIALS & FIXTURES
AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES
AIR INLET VALVE, WATER TANK
AIR VOLUME CONTROLS, WATER TANK
ANTI-SCALD VALVES
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
AQUASTAT CONTROL Functions

BACKDRAFTING HEATING EQUIPMENT
BACKFLOW PREVENTER VALVE, HEATING SYS
BACKFLOW PREVENTER, HEATER WATER FEEDER
BACKUP PREVENTION, SEPTIC
BACKUP PREVENTION, SEWER LINE
BACKWATER VALVES, SEWER LINE
BATH & KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE
BATHROOM MOLD
BATHROOM VENTILATION
BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS
Bisphenol-A, BPA
BLEVE EXPLOSIONS
BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS
BOILERS, HEATING

CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS
CROSS CONNECTIONS, PLUMBING

FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB

GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
GAS BURNER Flame & Noise Defects
GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS
GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS
GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION

HARD WATER - SOFTENERS
HEAT TAPES, Heat, Insulation prevent Freeze-Up
HOT WATER HEATERS

KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN GUIDE
KITCHEN VENTILATION

LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE
LEAD WATER PIPING HAZARDS & REMEDIES
LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION

MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC
METHANE GAS SOURCES
MIXING / ANTI-SCALD VALVES
MIX VALVE SCALD PROTECTION, Best Practices
MUNICIPAL WATER PRESSURE IMPROVEMENTS
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets
MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS
MYCOPHOBIA, STAINS MISTAKEN for MOLD
MYCOTOXIN EFFECTS of MOLD EXPOSURE

NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE
  ANIMAL ODORS IN buildings
  BOAT & CAR SMELLS & ODORS
  CARBON MONOXIDE - CO
  CARPETS & PADDING ODORS IN buildings
  CAT DANDER in buildings
  CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS
  DUCT & AIR HANDLER ODORS
  FLOOR DRAIN / TRAP ODORS
  GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
  GLUES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION
  GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS
  GAS DETECTION & MEASUREMENT
  HEATING OIL EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS
  HEATING SYSTEM ODORS
  HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
  HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS
  METHANE GAS SOURCES
  MOLD ODORS, Musty Smells in buildings
  MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS
  MYCOTOXIN EFFECTS of MOLD EXPOSURE
  Nanomaterials Hazards
  NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE
  ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
  ODORLESS CHEMICALS / GASES: CHECK FOR?
  ODORS, SEPTIC or SEWER
  ODORS, SULPHUR SMELL SOURCES
  ODORS, URINE REMOVAL
  ODORS IN WATER
  OIL HEAT ODORS
  OIL ODORS, LEAKY OIL TANK PIPING
  OIL TANK LEAK ODORS
  OZONE for MOLD OR ODORS
  PAINTS & COATINGS ODORS IN buildings
  PARTICLE SIZES & IAQ
  Particulates & Allergens Indoors
  Pesticide Exposure Hazards
  PET ALLERGEN REMEDIES
  PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES
  PLASTIC HEATER VENT
  PLASTIC ODORS-SCREENS, SIDING
  PLUMBING SYSTEM ODORS
  SEPTIC METHANE GAS
  SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS
  SEWER GAS ODORS
  SEWER GAS ODORS in COLD WEATHER
  SICK HOUSE IAQ QUESTIONNAIRE
  SMELL PATCH TEST to Track Down Odors
  STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS
  SULPHUR & SEWER GAS SMELL SOURCES
  TOXIC GAS TEST PROCEDURES
  VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildings
  VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO
  WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING
  WATER ENTRY in buildings
  WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE
  WELL WATER CONTAMINANT SOURCES
OIL FIRED WATER HEATERS
OIL TANKS

PIPING IN buildings, Clogs Leaks Types
  AGE OF PIPING
  AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES
  CHECK VALVES, WATER SUPPLY
  CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS
  CLEANOUTS, PLUMBING DRAIN
  CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
  CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, DIAGNOSIS
  CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, REPAIR
  CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, HOT WATER
  CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS
  CROSS CONNECTIONS, PLUMBING
  DEBRIS in WATER SUPPLY, Water Heater
  DIAELECTRIC PIPE FITTINGS

  DRAIN & SEWER PIPING
    CAST IRON DRAIN PIPING
    CAST IRON DRAIN LEAK, ODOR, REPAIR
    COPPER PIPING in buildings
    DRAIN LINE DEPTH
    DRAIN NOISES
    FLOOR DRAIN / TRAP ODORS
    FREEZE-PROOF PIPES
    LEAD PIPES in buildings
    PLUMBING DRAIN CLEANOUTS
    PLUMBING DRAIN VENTS
    PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS
    PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE REPAIR
    PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS
    PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE REPAIR
    PLUMBING NOISE CHECKLIST
    PLUMBING NOISE CONTROL
    SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION
    SEPTIC BACKUP REPAIR
    SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION
    SEWER GAS ODORS
    SEWER LINE LEAKS & ODORS
    SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT
    SOUND CONTROL for PLUMBING
    TRAPS on DRAINS
    VENT PIPING

  SUPPLY PIPING
    BRASS WATER PIPES
    COMPRESSION FITTINGS
    COPPER PIPING in buildings
    GALVANIZED STEEL WATER PIPING
    LEAD PIPES in buildings
    LEAD IN DRINKING WATER, HOW to REDUCE
    LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE
    LEAD WATER PIPING HAZARDS & REMEDIES
    LEAK TYPES, Water Supply/Drain Pipe
    OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS
    PLASTIC PIPING
    PLASTIC PIPE LEAK CAUSES
    Transite Pipe Water Supply Piping
    VALVES, PLUMBING
    WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE
    WATER PIPES, Clogs Leaks Types
    Water pipe clog diagnosis
    Water pipe clog repair guide
    WELL PIPING LEAK DIAGNOSIS
    WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR

PLUMBING FIXTURES, KITCHEN, BATH
Plumbing Materials & Fixtures, Age, Types
PUMPS & WELLS

RANGE BOILERS
RELIEF VALVES - TP Valves on Boilers
RELIEF VALVES - STEAM TP VALVES
RELIEF VALVES - Water Heaters
RELIEF VALVES - Water Tanks

SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR
SEPTIC METHANE GAS
SEPTIC ODORS
SEPTIC PUMPS
SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS
SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY
SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO
SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP
SEWAGE BACKUP PREVENTION
SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP
SEWAGE & SEPTIC CONTAMINANTS
SEWAGE CONTAMINATION in buildings
SEWAGE CONTAMINANTS in FRUIT / VEGETABLES
SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS
SEWAGE NITROGEN CONTAMINANTS
SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE
SEWAGE PUMPS
SEWAGE PUMP CLOG DAMAGE
SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION
SEWER GAS ODORS
SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT
SHUTOFF VALVE LOCATION, USE
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS
SULPHUR & SEWER GAS SMELL SOURCES
SUMP PUMPS GUIDE
SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS

TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL
TANKLESS COILS
TANKLESS WATER HEATERS
Temperature Pressure Relief Valves - Water Heaters
TIMERS for ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS
TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR
TOILET ALTERNATIVES
TOILET FLUSHOMETER VALVES
TOILET INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
TOILET OVERFLOW EMERGENCY
TOILET PLUGS, SEWER BACKUP
TOILET REPAIR GUIDE
TOILET TYPES
Toilet Types, Flush Methods
TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST
TRAPS on PLUMBING FIXTURES

WATER HEATERS
WATER, WELLS, WATER TANKS: TESTING GUIDE
WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE
WATER PRESSURE & FLOW MEASUREMENT
WATER PUMPS & TANKS
WATER PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES
WATER PUMP TYPES & LIFE EXPECTANCY
WATER PUMP SAFETY
WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING
WATER PUMP & WATER TANK REPAIRS
WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE
WATER PRESSURE & FLOW MEASUREMENT
WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS
WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES
WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS
WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES
WATER SUPPLY & DRAIN PIPING
WATER SHUTOFF VALVE LOCATION, USE
WATER SHUTOFF VALVE, WELL PUMP
WATER TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT
WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS
WINTERIZE A BUILDING

More Information

Floor trap odors and cures (C) Carson Dunlop AssociatesBasement or Crawl Space Floor Drain Odor Problems: Cause & Cure
InspectAPedia®  -      

  • Sewer gas sulphur odor leak discovery, cause, & repairs where a basement or crawl space floor drain or drain trap is the problem.
  • How to diagnose basement or crawl space sewer odors due to a floor drain
  • Diagnosing & repairing cast iron drain connection & leak problems
  • Diagnosing sewer gas odors traced to plumbing drain deterioration
  • Questions & answers about how to track down and cure basement floor drain odors & smells

Floor drain odors & smell troubleshooting: this article explains how to track down and cure a sewer gas odors that appear to be due to basement or crawl space floor drain or drain trap problems. We describe the likely sources of sewer gas or septic smells that seem to come from a floor drain, and we explain how to complete the diagnosis & cure of these odor problems.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Floor Drain or Drain Trap Odors: Leak & Repair Diagnosis Suggestions

Our page top photo shows use of a trap primer to keep a basement floor drain from becoming dry and an odor source. Draining air conditioning or heat pump condensate in this manner can solve two problems at once. Sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

For a case history of diagnosing sewer odors due to a broken under-floor sewer line, see CAST IRON DRAIN LEAK, ODOR, REPAIR. Also see CAST IRON DRAIN PIPING. See PLUMBING SYSTEM ODORS to start diagnosing the broad category of smells from plumbing system drains. Other types of building piping systems are discussed at GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS and at OIL TANK PIPING DEFECTS. Also see ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE for procedures to diagnose and cure all kinds of odors in and around buildings.

The articles at this website will answer most questions about water supply & drain piping, wells, & water tanks as well as many other building plumbing system inspection or defect topics. Reproduction of this web page electronically at other websites is prohibited.

Question:

Floor drain odor source (C) D Friedmanand DMI am having a heck of a time finding where the septic odor is coming from. We have a 3 story house on a septic tank and drain field.

The odor seems to be strongest and most often present in a mechanical room in the basement.

The only plumbing in the room is a floor drain [photo at left from reader]. No other drains are under the concrete slab. I know because I built the house.

I suspect that drain, but the water level in the trap seems to be full and I even sent a metal feeler down to make sure the bend in the trap was below the water level.

The concrete floor does have settling cracks. Is it possible that the plastic drain pipe could be slightly cracked or loose glue joint down stream from the trap, caused by the settling concrete?

Would plugging the 4 inch drain just outside the house and filling the drain with water up to the top of the floor drain give enough pressure to any leaks thereby lowering the level of the water in the drain?

Assuming all the other drains downstairs are slightly higher than the specific drain in question.

Drain piping (C) D Friedman and DMOnly other thing I can think of, is the roof vent plugging from leaves etc. going down a 2 in. vent stack. If that plugged, would that allow gas to come into the building?

[Photo at left (from reader) shows a portion of the drain-waste-vent DWV piping in this building.]

This house is 30 years old and this problem is about a year old.

This question is a tough especially with all the floors being finished with tile or carpet.

I was an electrical contractor so I do have tools and abilities for any of your suggestions, i.e.: shove a metal fish tape down the drains and then trace the tape to verify the drain path under the concrete slab.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks, - D.M.

Reply: Floor drain and trap odor diagnosis suggestions

Rooftop plumbing vent as odor cause

It would be uncommon for leaves to block a roof vent unless the vent projection above the rooftop were very short and the vent was covered with leaves (or snow). But we have indeed seen roof vent pipes blocked by frost if there is a shower or laundry or other source of hot water that sends a lot of steam up the vent in very cold weather, esp. if the vent is small in diameter - say under 2";

We have also found roof vents blocked by wasp nests, and once even a frog.

If you can safely examine the vent from rooftop without falling off due to snow or other slippery conditions, it's worth taking a look.

Other plumbing vent failures that send odors into buildings include a vent or drain line that is disconnected inside the building due to an unglued joint or broken drain line; These should show up as an odor or when you perform a pressure test of the vent line.

Of course if your floor drain piping is actually used to drain a plumbing fixture (such as a washing machine) and the drained fixture is more than 5' from any plumbing vent, then depending on what waste flows through that drain line, it could on occasion siphon water out of the trap and allow odors into the building. It is also possible to siphon water out of a remote but un-vented trap as waste passes down the joined drain line, but that problem would have been present from the time of original construction whereas your problem has just recently appeared. And you've confirmed that there is water in the basement floor trap so that's not our first suspicion.

Drain line under the floor as odor source

Indeed we have had cases of under-floor drain lines that were leaky, sending sewage odors into the building; that problem is more common when the under-floor drain is carrying sewage. See CAST IRON DRAIN LEAK, ODOR, REPAIR for an example.

If you have easy access to this same drain line from outdoors and can temporarily block the line at that point it would be a good diagnostic tool since you are sure that there is no other plumbing connected to this drain. If you block the line from outdoors (and at a point before it joints any other sewer piping) then if that's the odor source, the odor ought to stop.

If that step confirms that the line is the odor source, and presuming the building is new enough that your piping is plastic not cast iron under the floor, I'm guessing that the bad news is the line would have to be abandoned (sealed off outside) or dug up and replaced.

Before doing so it may be worth asking a plumber who has a drain line inspection camera to send that through the line to see what's going on, on the chance that you can find and dig up just a short section of line that is damaged or disconnected.

Floor drain trap as odor source

Sewer odor and clogged shower floor drain (C) Daniel FriedmanIt is interesting that you found the floor trap filled with water. Often a floor drain whose only function is to catch on-floor flooding in a basement is so seldom used that its floor trap dries out and sewer gases pass backwards into the building.

We solve that problem either by pouring some mineral oil into the drain trap or installing a floor trap that includes a check valve designed specifically to prevent gases from passing backwards up the drain line and into the building.

When a building is more than a year old and the floor trap is always filled with water, and if we think that the drain line is never used, where is that water coming from?

Is that a clue that there is water under the building leaking into the trap (i.e. an open or broken drain)?

Other Possible Sources of Basement Sewer Odors

Open sewer line cleanout odor source (C) Daniel FriedmanIf blocking the drain line off outside the home does not stop the odor there are some of the other possibilities:

  • sewage backed up into and leaked out of the line into a settled cavity under the floor, continuing to create an odor source
  • a sewer line cleanout cover has been left off (our photo at left) or is leaking
  • the odor is not from that drain line but perhaps from another building drain leaking into the basement ceiling or walls.
  • other "sewer-like" odors that might be found in a mechanical room could be from some different source - a dead animal, a chemical spill, or if there are odors in the building water supply, sulphur in the water or if in hot water, bacteria or a bad anode in the water heater tank.

Additional floor drain or trap odor problem diagnostic questions:

  • Are we sure we know the piping layout under the floor, the materials used, and quality of connections?
  • Do floor slab cracks or other signs of settlement mean that slab movement may have damaged the under-floor drain piping? See SLAB CRACK EVALUATION.
  • What drains in to this floor drain? Anything? or is it just for water spillage?
  • In other words, are we sure that the drain line connected to absolutely no other building plumbing?

Follow-up from reader about smelly basement floor drain

Whole drain is not 4 in…4 inch is a main drain with taps off of it under the slab. The floor drain in question is a 2 inch line and trap. All abs piping.

Drain in question is just for spillage as is the other one in a different room. The reason water is in the trap is because I diligently keep it full. Have thought of putting antifreeze, like a travel trailer uses, instead of mineral oil. But not until this is settled.

Check all roof vents this morning with a 1/4in metal fish tape. No restriction and a visual with flash light showed no problem. Also, the gas odor coming out seemed consistent at all four roof vents.

Since last writing, I did plug the 4 in drain just outside the home and then filled all the pipe under the slab until the water level was even with the top of the floor drains. I left it for 14 hours and the water level never changed. Therefore, I feel there is not a big leak under the slab. I suppose a real small leak might take more time to be apparent. An air test would be more accurate but would complicate plugging the pipe completely.

After plugging the 4 inch line, I aired out the house and no odor returned. This makes sense because all the lines leading to the septic tank were plugged with water.

Also, this morning I had the tank emptied. It probably could have gone another three years, but because of the problem, I had it cleaned anyway.

After careful review of when this intermittent problem occurs, It seems like the odor follows the draining of one particular bath tub. The tub was used for three consecutive days, and each of those days we had the odor. Is there any type of flushing action that can cause the odor getting through. Remember, this is a problem that occurs when it is cold out, not neccesarily freezing, and the problem started a year or so ago and we have been here for 20 years..I can’t even think of a place where a nail could have been put through a pipe. No one works on this house but me..

Included four pics; 1. The outside four inch clean out used to plug entire house drain 2. The suspect floor drain [see at top of this Q&A] 3. Misc. piping to suspect tub/lav/ toilet area on first floor, as seen from basement [see at top of this Q&A] 4. Outside vents, all were clear…

What can you tell me about a smoke test? I am looking into plugging all pipes and putting and doing an air pressure test. This would take the talk out of a leak but would not tell me where it is..ugh…

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PIPING IN buildings, Clogs Leaks Types
ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE
  ANIMAL ODORS IN buildings
  BOAT & CAR SMELLS & ODORS
  CARBON MONOXIDE - CO
  CARPETS & PADDING ODORS IN buildings
  CAT DANDER in buildings
  CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS
  DUCT & AIR HANDLER ODORS
  FLOOR DRAIN / TRAP ODORS
  GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
  GLUES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION
  GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS
  GAS DETECTION & MEASUREMENT
  HEATING OIL EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS
  HEATING SYSTEM ODORS
  HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
  HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS
  METHANE GAS SOURCES
  MOLD ODORS, Musty Smells in buildings
  MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS
  MYCOTOXIN EFFECTS of MOLD EXPOSURE
  Nanomaterials Hazards
  NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE
  ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
  ODORLESS CHEMICALS / GASES: CHECK FOR?
  ODORS, SEPTIC or SEWER
  ODORS, SULPHUR SMELL SOURCES
  ODORS, URINE REMOVAL
  ODORS IN WATER
  OIL HEAT ODORS
  OIL ODORS, LEAKY OIL TANK PIPING
  OIL TANK LEAK ODORS
  OZONE for MOLD OR ODORS
  PAINTS & COATINGS ODORS IN buildings
  PARTICLE SIZES & IAQ
  Particulates & Allergens Indoors
  Pesticide Exposure Hazards
  PET ALLERGEN REMEDIES
  PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES
  PLASTIC HEATER VENT
  PLASTIC ODORS-SCREENS, SIDING
  PLUMBING SYSTEM ODORS
  SEPTIC METHANE GAS
  SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS
  SEWER GAS ODORS
  SEWER GAS ODORS in COLD WEATHER
  SICK HOUSE IAQ QUESTIONNAIRE
  SMELL PATCH TEST to Track Down Odors
  STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS
  SULPHUR & SEWER GAS SMELL SOURCES
  TOXIC GAS TEST PROCEDURES
  VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildings
  VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO
  WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING
  WATER ENTRY in buildings
  WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE
  WELL WATER CONTAMINANT SOURCES

  • Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
  • Thanks to reader David for discussing under-floor drain sewer gas odor problem diagnosis - December 2010.
  • Thanks to reader Conrad for discussing an under-slab sewer gas odor source traced to a combination of transite heating ducts in the floor slab and leaky cast iron drain piping - January 2010

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson Dunlop The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop. The Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
  • Cheating on water tests: Testing Water for Real Estate Transactions - make sure your water test is valid
  • Don't Flush these things into a septic system
  • Drain Noises: may indicate defective or clogged plumbing: how to diagnose and cure drain sounds
  • Drinking Water Testing Advice for home buyers home owners home inspectors
  • Interpreting Drinking Water Test Results and Correcting Unsatisfactory Water
  • Drinking Water Contaminant Levels - Maximum Allowed
  • HOT WATER HEATERS - a detailed guide to all types of hot water sources, problems, inspection, repair
  • Lead Contamination in Drinking Water: Testing & Correction - Advice (This Article)
  • Lead Testing & Correcting Contamination from Lead Water Supply Lines/Entry Mains - Lead Pipe Problems/Advice
  • SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR The Septic Systems Information Website
  • Sewage Odors in Wet or Cold Weather - Septic Odors or Sewage Odor Diagnosis & Repair Guide for diagnosing and eliminating cold weather sewer gas odors
  • Sewage Levels in Septic Tanks - what are normal and abnormal sewage levels in septic tanks and what do they mean about tank condition, leaks, etc.
  • Sewer Line Replacement diagnosing a clogged drain leads to drain line replacement - step by step photo-illustrated guide to drain replacement
  • Water Pressure Loss - Diagnosis how to determine why water pressure has been lost or why there is no water at all in a building
  • Water testing for Pesticides: comprehensive and pesticides-example parameters
  • Water Testing: background comments on classes of water contaminants, & links to home buyer advice about water testing, drinking water, water supply
  • When and How to Shock or Chlorinate a Well - Procedure for Shocking a Well to (temporarily or maybe longer) "Correct" Bacterial Contamination
  • Water Requirements, Home & Outdoor Living
  • Typical Water Tests & Fees this water test fee schedule applies when testing is combined with other onsite building inspection services
  • Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost an specific case offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost
  • Water pressure tank failures & water pump short cycling diagnosis and repair
  • ...

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