Don’t let a crawl space that reeks wreak havoc in your home
Most crawl space sewage smells come from clogged or damaged sewer lines.
Any type of moisture, whether it’s a slow leak or standing water, can cause odor.
Pests stuck in your crawl space can also emit a smell that’s similar to sewage.
You may want to encapsulate or ventilate your crawl space to stop odors.
Crawl space cleaning can cost $2,000 to $6,000 if you hire a pro.
There’s no place like home—until it smells like sewage. Troubleshooting a stinky crawl space isn’t exactly the most fun part of homeownership, but it gets a lot easier if you know what to look for. Everything from pests and leaky pipes to the condition of your sump pump or encapsulation can play a role. This guide will show you why your crawl space smells like sewage and how to fix it.
If you have a clog in the main sewer line, the water will back up in the pipe and eventually overflow. And because your pipes are located in the crawl space, that's where the overflow will end up. Look for warning signs of a main sewer line clog as well, like water backing up in your toilet or sink and low water pressure.
The kind of clog that makes your crawl space smell is usually deeper in your plumbing system, so you’ll need to hire a pro who can snake or hydrojet your sewer line.
When your crawl space isn’t properly sealed, it can let in outside elements. Any moisture that enters can be a problem, because it encourages mold and bacteria growth. This can create a musty smell, especially when organic material like leaves start to decompose.
Even if your space is sealed, odors can get trapped in your crawl space without proper ventilation. They may rise into your home.
You have two options. You can encapsulate your crawl space and/or install crawl space ventilation. This prevents air from the crawl space from entering the living areas of your home and generally improves your indoor air quality.
Broken sewer lines are one of the biggest causes of sewage smells in a crawl space. Sewer lines can corrode, crack, or fall victim to tree roots. Depending on where the break is, it can leak waste or sewer gasses into your crawl space, and the smell may permeate your home.
There are a few sewer line repair options depending on the type of damage, but you’ll need to hire a pro for this type of extensive repair.
Unfortunately, sometimes small animals get stuck inside crawl spaces. This can cause a lot of bad odors, from the smell of feces and urine to the smell of a dead critter.
To get rid of the smell, get rid of the pests and clean up your crawl space. You’ll also want to take steps to prevent pests from entering your crawl space in the future. A local pest control specialist can help.
The P-trap is an essential part of your drainage system that holds a small amount of water. This water acts like a barrier and prevents sewer gasses from entering your home. Sometimes a P-trap malfunctions or dries out. Depending on the location, that could cause a sewage smell under your house.
Running water for 20 minutes can refill a dry trap, but if the trap is damaged or malfunctioning, you’ll need to bring in a pro to fix it.
Not everyone has a sump pump in their crawl space, but if you do, it can occasionally fail. Even if it’s working perfectly, water can become stagnant during a dry spell. This standing water is prime real estate for mold and bacteria—and it can start to smell pretty funky depending on how long the dry spell lasts.
If it’s been dry, you can pour a diluted bleach solution into the pit. Use a cup of bleach per gallon of water. If it has rained and your sump pump won’t activate, you’ll need to hire a sump pump repair pro to fix the issue.
If you don’t know what’s making your crawl space smell like sewage, it’s a good idea to hire a professional. You won’t be able to fix a sewer line clog or break on your own. The most common causes require a knowledgeable plumber.
After repairs, you may need to clean out your crawl space to get rid of the smell—especially if there are pests, mold, sewage, or standing water. For most homeowners, crawl space cleaning costs $2,000 to $6,000 on top of any repairs. If you want to encapsulate your space to prevent future issues, hire a local crawl space encapsulator or a basement waterproofing pro near you.
Vegas Flooring Outlet recently helped me remodel my living room, and I'm really happy with the results! The staff's extensive understanding helped me choose waterproof SPC Vinyl Planks that were both exactly what I wanted and within my price range. The effects are amazing, and the...
Vegas Flooring OutletThe main electrician ,Rob, did what he had to do and was doing it well $ 95.00 per hour.But his job should have been faster and LESS costly then his $2660. But, he was , as he said to us, he was slowed down to train his electrician helper @$45.00 ( this we felt should not be our job to pay...
The Nice N Clean crew are amazingly fast and thorough! After my one year lease was up I had them come to prepare my furnished unit for the next tenant. Without supervision or asking they knew what to do!, The oven, inside the fridge, freezer, bed liners, cabinet shelves, glass doors, inside...
Nice n CleanI had a foundation leak on an addition added to my home. Mike and his team did a great job waterproofing the area. They patiently showed me the problem during the repair. They also repaired all other exterior cracks on my walls to provide for future protection from the weather. Hands down...
A+ Concrete RestorationI am remain EXTREMELY disappointed. They laid the new concrete blocks for the new wall directly on dirt - no concrete footer. The drainage and sealing they said they installed is not working or non-existent because the wall continued to leak as badly as the old one right from the beginning...
took approximately 10 minutes to change a watch battery. I know I've replaced batteries before but I wanted to save myself time and went to Joseph. $30?!! really? watch battery is a $7 item...maybe. There is no need to mark up that much for 5 minutes worth of work. Counter staff were not...
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Sump pump battery backup costs depend on the type and the design of the system purchased. Follow this guide to learn how to budget for your backup battery.
Discover how much sump pump installation costs, including average prices, key cost factors, and tips to save on your basement waterproofing project.
Need to fix basement water problems or safeguard your home from damage in the future? Use this basement waterproofing cost guide to budget appropriately.
If your home's crawlspace has water issues, here are the crawlspace encapsulation questions you should be asking a contractor about the project.
Before investing in a pricey vapor barrier, does crawl space encapsulation add value to your home? The answer is a little more complicated than you expect.
From deep cleaning to major repairs, learn how to hire a crawl space contractor to get the job done right. Here are the steps to finding the best crawl space professional.
