New build house smell

[Dobson]

Hi, we just moved to a new build. There is a dreadful 'sewer' smell in the house. No outside soil stack. AAV is sited behind bath panel in family bathroom upstairs. Had this replaced as plumber thought may be faulty, no change in smell. We are one of three houses and there is a joint pump station to the main sewer. There doesn't appear to be a vent on the pumping station, should there be? I have read advice and put all the plugs in downstairs sinks and covered with water to form a seal. This does seem to have stopped smell but obviously not answer to problem. Can't get builder to take notice! PLEASE can anyone advise what the problem could be.

 

[king of pipes]

Very hard to say without seeing the job is your drainage free flowing ? Any problems with toilets flushing ? Bath water emptying? Have the external drainage covers been lifted to look for blockages ?

 

[PETE 123]

Might be a design fault where the water is being sucked out of a trap somewhere,
Block overflow and put plug in one item at a time to try and isolate which it may be.

 

[ROGER12345]

Very hard to say without seeing the job is your drainage free flowing ? Any problems with toilets flushing ? Bath water emptying? Have the external drainage covers been lifted to look for blockages ?

Thanks, yes drain covers have lifted and no blockage. Water/toilets drains freely and not slow.

 

[ROGER12345]

Might be a design fault where the water is being sucked out of a trap somewhere,
Block overflow and put plug in one item at a time to try and isolate which it may be.

Thanks, we have plugged all sinks, opened one by one and it seems to be the kitchen sink that's the fault. That does have a small AAV attached to it since the problem started but didn't stop smell.

 

[Ric2013]

Might be a design fault where the water is being sucked out of a trap somewhere,
Block overflow and put plug in one item at a time to try and isolate which it may be.

Agreed. Then get plumber to replace the trap on that sink or washbasin with an air inlet or resealing trap. Could be a DIY job if you're handy.

 

[ROGER12345]

Might be a design fault where the water is being sucked out of a trap somewhere,
Block overflow and put plug in one item at a time to try and isolate which it may be.

Hi, just to add. We didn't block the overflows but it (so far) has stopped the smell by plugging sink and leaving water in sink. Seems to be kitchen sink. Have unplugged utilities and downstairs toilet sinks.

 

[ROGER12345]

Agreed. Then get plumber to replace the trap on that sink or washbasin with an air inlet or resealing trap. Could be a DIY job if you're handy.

Thank you, he did put a small AAV on under sink but that didn't stop smell. Do you think a resealing trap would do better? Also our next door neighbour has same smell in family bathroom, do you think it could be connected as they were built at same time, only months ago?

 

[Dobson]

Very hard to say without seeing the job is your drainage free flowing ? Any problems with toilets flushing ? Bath water emptying? Have the external drainage covers been lifted to look for blockages ?

Hi, I have replied but unsure if its on here...Drains checked & water free running.

 

[Dobson]

Might be a design fault where the water is being sucked out of a trap somewhere,
Block overflow and put plug in one item at a time to try and isolate which it may be.

Replied but not shown....New to this! Did as you said but not covered overflows. The kitchen sink seems to be culprit. Plumber did put a small AAV ON but smell continued. It has a u bend (p trap?) Should I change that to an actual trap one?

 

[Dobson]

Agreed. Then get plumber to replace the trap on that sink or washbasin with an air inlet or resealing trap. Could be a DIY job if you're handy.

Plumber did put a small AAV on but that didn't stop smell. The u bend doesn't have a trap as such on, should I change to one with a convential trap?

 

[Ric2013]

Replied but not shown....New to this! Did as you said but not covered overflows. The kitchen sink seems to be culprit. Plumber did put a small AAV ON but smell continued. It has a u bend (p trap?) Should I change that to an actual trap one?

A (U bend) P trap IS a trap! So what do you mean by a conventional trap?

I was going to mention overflows, but you stated use of plugs had stopped the smell. So my guess in the dark is that it's something that doesn't have an overflow.

Can't you use your nose to smell the plugholes and overflows to find the source of the problem?

Failing that, if you're still stuck, pictures of your undersink plumbing might show something interesting...

 

[ROGER12345]

Oddly the plug holes don't seem to smell. I meant a trap that you can unscrew at the bottom...sorry I don't know much about plumbing. But I still have kitchen plug in filled with water and no smell! Will attempt a photo! Thanks

 

[king of pipes]

Post a picture of the plumbing under the kitchen please

 

[Dobson]

Post a picture of the plumbing under the kitchen please

Will do when I work that out thanks

 

[Dobson]

Will do when I work that out thanks

 

[Dobson]

Hope this helps. Thank you for all your help.

 

[Ric2013]

I've seen better, but I've also seen worse and I can't see a smoking gun, sorry.

You smell it from the sink itself? I'm wondering if it might not be sewer gasses, but a smell from whatever may be sitting in the pipes upstream of the trap, seeing as looks like you have 2 sinks and a washing machine (?) all on one trap.

 

[Dobson]

I've seen better, but I've also seen worse and I can't see a smoking gun, sorry.

You smell it from the sink itself? I'm wondering if it might not be sewer gasses, but a smell from whatever may be sitting in the pipes upstream of the trap, seeing as looks like you have 2 sinks and a washing machine (?) all on one trap.

No don't smell directly from sink but smell seems to be stronger about 30ft from sink where no evident plumbing is. It's an intermittant smell and quite disgusting. We were away for a couple of days and house was terrible, had to take deep breath run in and open all doors/Windows & run all taps. It's a double sink, big & small with a dishwasher. Could it be a problem with shared pumping to main drain, just 3 houses. Next door has a smell too but in their main bathroom. Any thoughts would be welcome!

 

[Ric2013]

No don't smell directly from sink but smell seems to be stronger about 30ft from sink where no evident plumbing is. It's an intermittant smell and quite disgusting. We were away for a couple of days and house was terrible, had to take deep breath run in and open all doors/Windows & run all taps. It's a double sink, big & small with a dishwasher. Could it be a problem with shared pumping to main drain, just 3 houses. Next door has a smell too but in their main bathroom. Any thoughts would be welcome!

Drains are indeed smellier when not all houses have an open soil and vent pipe, and where lots of houses use them, but the point is that if the traps are there and working and all pipework is airtight then the foul air in the pipework should not be able to escape into the building.

30ft away and you are still blaming the sink? You must have a large house! But speaking seriously, if it's that far away, I'd be more inclined to suspect a leaking joint in the waste pipework somewhere (perhaps under the floor?) rather than a trap at 30' distance. Would recommend a plumber be called to carry out a pressure test (it's not a high pressure, but it'll tell you if there is a duff joint somewhere) of your waste plumbing (which you'd have hoped would have been done already seeing as it's a newbuild).

 

[Dobson]

Drains are indeed smellier when not all houses have an open soil and vent pipe, and where lots of houses use them, but the point is that if the traps are there and working and all pipework is airtight then the foul air in the pipework should not be able to escape into the building.

30ft away and you are still blaming the sink? You must have a large house! But speaking seriously, if it's that far away, I'd be more inclined to suspect a leaking joint in the waste pipework somewhere (perhaps under the floor?) rather than a trap at 30' distance. Would recommend a plumber be called to carry out a pressure test (it's not a high pressure, but it'll tell you if there is a duff joint somewhere) of your waste plumbing (which you'd have hoped would have been done already seeing as it's a newbuild).

How would they find the pipe if there was a duff one? We have under floor heating and ceramic tiles. His has been very helpful thanks.

 

[king of pipes]

You can smoke test drains have a look on you tube . Kop

 

[Dobson]

You can smoke test drains have a look on you tube . Kop

Thanks, will do

 

[cjg]

off the point iknow, but a socket under sink is a no no for me, if you ever get a leak. (puff)

 

[Dobson]

off the point iknow, but a socket under sink is a no no for me, if you ever get a leak. (puff)

Thanks for the thought, will bring it up with builder....if EVER we see him. Unplugged sink and let water out after 3 days of no smell...and its back. It starts with an edgy light smell turning to intermittant disgusting one. It's so frustrating, we are not plumbers or builders and bought a new build to avoid problems. I have researched so much but feel I am going in circles. Thanks for your input.

 

[cjg]

grey pipe on lhs in photo, waste pipe from ? its not stale water in it thats the cause ? just a thought.

 

[Chester]

Thanks for the thought, will bring it up with builder....if EVER we see him. Unplugged sink and let water out after 3 days of no smell...and its back. It starts with an edgy light smell turning to intermittant disgusting one. It's so frustrating, we are not plumbers or builders and bought a new build to avoid problems. I have researched so much but feel I am going in circles. Thanks for your input.

Stand by the kitchem sink and get somebody to let a full bath water run out or flush the toilet and run the basin, use the upstairs appliances, you should be able to hear if you listen to the plug hole of the kitchen sink gurgling or bubbling. New builds shouldn't have the need for anti vac traps, it's obviously badly designed.

 

[Dobson]

grey pipe on lhs in photo, waste pipe from ? its not stale water in it thats the cause ? just a thought.

Thanks for reply. The grey flexvpipe is the dishwasher, regularly used. Is the pipe not correct? The smell is so awful, don't think it could be just stale water but am willing to think of anything. Next door (also new built at same time) has similar problem but in main bathroom.

 

[Dobson]

Stand by the kitchem sink and get somebody to let a full bath water run out or flush the toilet and run the basin, use the upstairs appliances, you should be able to hear if you listen to the plug hole of the kitchen sink gurgling or bubbling. New builds shouldn't have the need for anti vac traps, it's obviously badly designed.

Thanks, will try that. So if we hear gurgling in kitchen sink, does that mean that air is being drawn out of that trap? Sorry to be thick but This is so confusing....

 

[Dobson]

Thanks, will try that. So if we hear gurgling in kitchen sink, does that mean that air is being drawn out of that trap? Sorry to be thick but This is so confusing.***

I meant water drawn out.

 

[Dobson]

off the point iknow, but a socket under sink is a no no for me, if you ever get a leak. (puff)

Will bring that up with the plumber.....if I ever see him!! Thanks

 

[Dobson]

You can smoke test drains have a look on you tube . Kop

So, filled bath & sink, pulled plugs and flushed toilet at same time. No gurgling from kitchen sink but a VERY loud gurgling from bath overflow, is that normal?

 

[Dobson]

grey pipe on lhs in photo, waste pipe from ? its not stale water in it thats the cause ? just a thought.

We have just heard through the grapevine that the builder intends to 'vent' the pump station tank. Do you think that is the problem?

 

[Dobson]

Might be a design fault where the water is being sucked out of a trap somewhere,
Block overflow and put plug in one item at a time to try and isolate which it may be.

We think its coming from the kitchen sink, we did as you suggested and when unplugged kitchen sink the smell came back but its intermittent but its disgusting smell. We now have heard through the grapevine that the builder intends to put a vent onto holding tank next door. Apparently it was suggested by the Building control inspector (agent from the local council) that this may be the problem. What do you think? Any suggestion will be welcome, its really getting us down!

 

[king of pipes]

Fit a additional hepvo trap for the short term that way your sealing off from the drains worth a try. Regards kop

 

[Basher]

We have just heard through the grapevine that the builder intends to 'vent' the pump station tank. Do you think that is the problem?

It's possible that an open vent will help. Building regs say that a foul drainage system should have an open vent to atmosphere (as in soil stack) somewhere to relieve positive pressure.

AAV's only deal with allowing air into the system to avoid water in traps being sucked out. They don't help in the event of a higher pressure in the drain system (possibly created by the pumping station) that could push foul air through a shallow trap.

 

[Dobson]

Fit a additional hepvo trap for the short term that way your sealing off from the drains worth a try. Regards kop

Sorry to sound daft but what is that and how would that help? I do appreciate the help.

 

[king of pipes]

Not really what they are designed for but would solve your problem short term if this is getting you down ?? Kop

 

[Scott_D]

What about employing a 3rd party plumber or new build snagging company to investigate.

 

[Dobson]

What about employing a 3rd party plumber or new build snagging company to investigate.

Thanks for reply. Do you think that would negate our builder guarantee, we are concerned not to upset him! Silly maybe but we still have things need doing.

 

[king of pipes]

I wouldn't think so don't I wouldn't mention it to them see if it cures your problem end of the day it's your property .

 

[Scott_D]

I think it’s quite common to employ someone who creates a snagging list for new builds.
I’m sure they can advise on how to get the builder to act in a reasonable timeframe.

 

[king of pipes]

Most new builds have 18 months - 24 months my son has a brand new property the shower tray is leaking been six months butwillget sorted eventually I suppose

 

[Dobson]

I wouldn't think so don't I wouldn't mention it to them see if it cures your problem end of the day it's your property .

OK, good idea. You say its a short term fix, does that mean they cant stay on and do I need one for each sink/bath/mashing machine/etc?

 

[Dobson]

I think it’s quite common to employ someone who creates a snagging list for new builds.
I’m sure they can advise on how to get the builder to act in a reasonable timeframe.

We are doing a snagging list ourselves but it seems impossible to find the reason for the awful intermittent smell. The builder is far too busy and ignores us..and our next door neighbour who has same problem.

 

[gmartine]

If all three houses suffer from the same problem it seems likely it'll relate to the pumping station. Flush some septic tank treatment down the toilet (preferably when nearer empty than full) and see if it delays the stink some.

 

[Dobson]

If all three houses suffer from the same problem it seems likely it'll relate to the pumping station. Flush some septic tank treatment down the toilet (preferably when nearer empty than full) and see if it delays the stink some.

Thank you for your reply. All 3 houses have same problem to a degree but we are worse effected. We are the highest property. The pumping station pumps to main drain so should I still put septic tank treatment down? Should the 'holding' tank be ventilated? Had a look and there is no ventilation at all. A tank in the ground and next to it a green metal box which has a hole in the top but nothing attached to the hole, looked into the hole and there is no vent. I really appreciate your knowledge and help, thanks.

 

[exedon2]

Has any of the 3 properties got a vent pipe properly terminated (ie 800mm above any opening window) on it ?
.

 

[king of pipes]

OK, good idea. You say its a short term fix, does that mean they cant stay on and do I need one for each sink/bath/mashing machine/etc?

They can stay but it far better to have em fitted from the start put one one the outlet from kitchen sink waste to start with if you're DIY handy there nothing to difficult , I'm just saying try it the easiest way which will be on the outlet pipe to the drain

 

[Dobson]

Has any of the 3 properties got a vent pipe properly terminated (ie 800mm above any opening window) on it ?
.

Thanks for reply. No, none of us have an external vent of any sort. We all just have AAV's sited behind the family bath panel. The plumber originally changed ours thinking it must be faulty but it made no difference to the smell. We did think it would have been a coincidence that all three had faulty AAV's.