Sewer gas is a toxic and elaborate mixture of gases that can be present in a variety of levels depending on the source that is causing the gas. Sewage creates these fumes from household and industrial waste – highly toxic components like hydrogen sulfide, ammonia are formed during this process!

Sewer gas is very hazardous because it contains methane, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxides. In addition to that there are chlorine bleaches as well as industrial solvents in municipal sewage systems.

The symptoms to sewer gas exposure can include any of the following:

  • irritation of your eyes
  • irritation of your respiratory tract
  • dizziness or feeling lightheaded
  • nervousness
  • headache
  • nauseau
  • trouble concentrating
  • poor memory
  • feeling drowsy

Sewer gas is not 100% toxic at low levels, however, chronic exposure and higher exposures can cause symptoms of sewer gas poisoning.

Is Sewer Gas Harmful To Your Health?

High concentrations of sewer gas can interfere with your sense of smell, so although sewer gas can give off an obnoxious odor you may not be able to smell it if there’s a high concentration of it in the air. Even worse, at extremely high levels, hydrogen sulfide has been known to cause immediate loss of consciousness and death.

Suffice it to say that sewer gas can certainly be harmful to your health depending on the concentration and the amount of exposure that you have to it.

How Does Sewer Gas Get Into My Home?

Sewer gas can enter a home in many different ways. Sewage could leak into your plumbing, or it might come up through the floor drains from outside of your house. If this sewage seeps underneath of any cracks in the foundations of your house, then sewer gases will be able to escape and get inside your home as well!

So, let’s go over all the ways that sewer gas can get into your house.

1. Leaks

Don’t let sewer gas get you! Plumbing vents or pipes that are improperly placed can cause the nasty stuff to leak into your house. In some cases, it’s even found its way in through cracks on foundation walls and air intakes nearby septic systems.

If you suspect that it might be leaking into your house from another septic system nearby, then the only way to ensure safety for yourself and those around you would be to contact your plumber immediately.

2. Clogged Drains

We know how important it is to keep drains clean and healthy! If you don’t take care of your pipes with regular maintenance or flush the right things down there, then you might end up clogging that line. And if that happens – even once in awhile -then they can start decomposing and leaking sewer gas back into your home.

Every drain in your home transports toxic waste through the septic system. If you want to keep your pipes from getting clogged, make sure anything poured down it is safe for sewage systems and doesn’t include any materials like hair or grease that could cause backups if they decompose in the sewers.

If you realize that something that could cause a clog has been poured into one of your drains, don’t panic: simply contact your plumber immediately so they can get to work on getting those pipes flowing again for you right away.

3. Loose Toilet

A loose toilet can cause a gap in the pipes and lead to gas leakage into your home. A leak from the pipes in your toilet can lead to hazardous sewer gas leaking out and exposing you and your family. To protect yourself and your loved ones, be sure that the toilet is properly fitted when it’s being installed.

4. Unused Plumbing

Sewer gas can leak into your house when you don’t use the plumbing system enough. When water is gone, it dries out and gets brittle, which means that it loses its natural protection against sewer gases and other toxic elements. That creates a way for septic odors to waft through your home if there’s no ventilation in place!

5. Blocked Air Vents

The air vents in your home are responsible for funneling toxic gases away from your home. If the air vent is blocked, like with dirt or other items, it may not be able to fill and drain properly which can cause sewer gas to build up in pipes that lead into your house.

6. Cracked Pipes

Sewer system pipes are like a protective shield, protecting your home from being exposed to the foul byproducts of human waste. If these vital lines are damaged or broken in any way, sewer gas can leak out into your house and make you sick!

Sewer Gas Detectors And How They Work

You probably didn’t know that there are products used to detect sewer gas!

For just a few dollars, you can purchase an incredibly useful tool that will help save lives. There are several gas detectors that you can purchase online or at your local hardware store. These products are designed to locate the source of any combustible gases in your home or workplace and warn those who are nearby of potential danger from explosive leaks.

For example: If there’s natural gas leak near the kitchen stove, this device would sound alarm bells letting people know they need to evacuate their homes immediately before it blows up!

It can also detect sewer gas, fuel, methane and more.

It works by measuring their concentrations and alerting you when they reach dangerous levels. There are many different types with varying capabilities, which include natural gas or methane, propane, fuel including gasoline or kerosene sewer gas alcohol butane coal-gas ethylene toluene; etc.).

If you have any questions about sewer gas exposure or are having some problems with your sewer system, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.