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It is generally safe to stay in a house that smells like sewage for a short time, but you should get the problem fixed as soon as possible. While the level of sewer gas is usually low enough to only cause minor symptoms, prolonged inhalation can lead to headaches, nausea, or respiratory irritation. High levels of gas exposure can be more dangerous, and high concentrations of methane—a component of sewer gas—can pose an explosion risk in enclosed spaces. If you smell sewer gas in your home, ventilate the area and call a professional to locate, assess, and fix the problem, as it will not go away on its own.

If you don’t have a sewer cleanout, clearing out clogs can be extremely difficult. You would need to try to clear the clog from sink drains, but it can be harder to reach the clog all the way in the drain line. A sewer cleanout makes it much faster and easier for pros to clear clogs from your main sewer line.

You could be smelling sewer gas in your kitchen because of a dry P-trap, clogged vent pipe, or leaking plumbing seals. If you smell a rotten egg odor, check your sink’s P-trap and plumbing connections first. A clogged or damaged vent pipe can trap sewer gas and push it back into your kitchen through the plumbing pipes. Loose or deteriorated seals around drainpipes can also allow sewer gas to leak out. If you can’t find the source, call a local plumber for expert help.

A clogged sewer line is not typically covered by homeowner’s insurance, though some sewer line issues are covered. For instance, damage related to a fallen tree is usually covered. Though sewer line replacement is not covered in a standard insurance policy, some companies offer add-ons for this purpose. Read the fine print before spending your own money.