Help!

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Just finished our dream house and somewhere is an open vent line! There is a strong septic smell upstairs and we are sick! Is there a way to use a camera in the lines to check? We have had all the walls plastered and the thought of tearing into them makes us crazy. We've been building for 8 years but only we're able to move in the past month.

Featured Answer

klem1

9 years ago

There is odorless and non-staining smoke made for this very purpose,ask your local plumbing contractors to find one offering the service. Odds are you find missing or improper trap. If you are asking about diy,tell us how handy you are and what experience you have with hands on plumbing work so suggestions fit your abilities.

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Comments (11)

Jake The Wonderdog
9 years ago
Wow, very interesting design!

So here's the thing on the camera in the lines - DWV systems are designed so with Tee's that go in the direction of flow - so a drain cleaning snake will go down the drain instead of up a vent line. I don't have a lot of confidence you can make that work - but it would be worth a try.

Also know that I've used small endoscope cameras with lights to look inside walls. It means a small hole in the plaster that can be muded over rather than a big hole.

There may be other ways of finding that also, such as by using sound (put a speaker of some type in the drain line playing a loud noise and see if you can hear the noise in another part of your house.)

Keep in mind that this is really the General Contractor's problem.
Kuma Dee
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. Regrettably the contractor is LONG GONE. Our problem now! Really appreciate your help.
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Jake The Wonderdog
9 years ago
Hey Klem, I thought there was "smoke" made for this purpose but had never looked into it.

Kuma Dee: Google "Drain Smoke" and you will find youtube videos, products, services, etc.
Kuma Dee thanked Jake The Wonderdog
Kuma Dee
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
We're very handy..my husband is an engineer and we did most of the house ourselves. Radiant heating, forced air, ac. It's timber framed and the walls have been recently plastered. We didn't notice the smell till we moved in last Nov. it's worst in our upstairs bedroom ( thankfully not using it yet!) we cracked open the chamber on the septic but it hasn't helped much.
Vith
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Just moved in? Did you ensure all traps have water in them to make the water seal? Floor drain anywhere?
greg_2015
9 years ago
Totally off topic ... but that is one bizarre island sink. How big is it? It almost looks like the water from the tap would barely fall into the crack. Is water going to splash everywhere?

Does the shape have any meaning? For instance, is it the outline of the lake that you're on?
randy41_1
9 years ago
can you check if there's a vent pipe blockage?
klem1
9 years ago
"Totally off topic ... but that is one bizarre island sink"

I also wondered how Kuma thought those pictures would help solve odor problems.
greg_2015
9 years ago
Probably just jumping at any excuse to show off pictures of her baby! :)

When you're proud of something any excuse will do!
klem1
9 years ago
What ever! Sorta odd to parade it after saying it smell's foul.