Sewer Smell In A Mobile Home: What It Means And What To Do About It

Nobody likes to come home after a long day to their mobile home smelling of rotten eggs. All you want to do is relax but you can’t because the smell of your mobile home is absolutely unbearable! Where is this rancid scent coming from? Has an animal snuck in and died? Did you leave food somewhere out to rot? We have a few ideas about what that sewer smell in your mobile home might be. Here are a few ways to locate and resolve the problem.

What is that smell?

The horrible stench taking up space in your home is called hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is a very dangerous chemical. After you have been in the presence of this smell for a while it is normal for you to become used to it. However, it is very important for you to address the issue right away. Hydrogen sulfide has no color, is very flammable, and extremely hazardous.

You can become ill if you let your problem linger! If this stench is inhaled over time it will cause nausea, headaches, delirium, tremors, convulsions, skin and eye irritation. It will also throw off your sense of balance. Inhaling this smell for too long will cause you to fall into a deep state of unconsciousness which can lead to death. You will even get frostbite from making contact with this liquid gas.

What causes the sewer smell in a mobile home?

Beneath your bathroom or kitchen sink, you will find a plumbing fixture called a P-trap. The purpose of your P-trap is to capture the debris that drains from the sink, prevent clogs and prevent gas leaks from entering your home. Some of the items your P-trap catches when functioning properly are soap residue, hair, grease, and food particles. A good P-trap will be anywhere between 2 and 4 inches long. When your P-trap is empty of water or has been cracked, it may leak the awful smell you are currently experiencing.

How do I clean my P-trap?

Before you call a plumber, we recommend giving this method a try. First, purchase a hand snake from your local hardware store. Back at home, you’ll find a stopper under the sink, which you need to remove. In order to do this, unscrew your pivot nut which is connected to your drain pipe. Next, use the hand snake to clear your P-trap of any gunk. Insert the hand-snake down the drain and crank the handle. This action will grip onto everything clogging your trap. You may find a lot of unexpected items coming up as you unclog your P-trap.  Repeat your snaking motion several times, and then clean your stopper. Be sure to safely dispose of all the items found clogging your P-trap. Do not flush the items down your toilet, as that could cause another clog.

Another option you can try is pouring boiling hot water down your drain. You can also try using vinegar, baking soda, and chlorine bleach. Pour the ingredients into your drain separately. Allow each one to sit in the drain for approximately two hours at a time. Never mix bleach and vinegar together as it can create an extremely toxic chemical that is very dangerous.

How do I know if I need a new P-trap?

Check your P-trap for any malfunctions. When doing so, place a bucket or container beneath the P-trap to prevent causing a huge mess in your mobile home. Look for a pair of coupling nuts that attach your P-trap to your sink. Safely using a pair of pliers, remove the coupling nuts. If you can not get the coupling nuts to move, or if they simply fall apart, you will have to replace your P-trap.

If you choose to call your local plumber to replace your P-trap, it will probably cost you anywhere in between $160 to $430. Some plumbers charge hourly rates ranging anywhere between $45 to $150. You can also replace your P-trap on your own. To do this, detach your P-trap from the sink by removing the coupling nuts. Make sure that your new P-trap is a minimum of 1” long. Place your new P-trap in the proper position beneath your sink, and attach your coupling nuts.

Breathe easy!

Now that you know how to get rid of that sewer smell in your mobile home, you don’t have to worry about breathing in toxic fumes. Read this article if you want to get to know the rest of your mobile home drain system.