Is Your Nose Detecting Something… Funky?
We’ve all walked into a bathroom or basement and thought, “What on earth is that smell?!” 🤢 Whether it’s a whiff of rotten eggs, something musty, or a straight-up sewage stench, plumbing odours are not just unpleasant — they could signal a deeper issue in your pipes.
At Go 2 Plumbing and Heating, we believe your home should smell fresh 🌿 — or at the very least, neutral! Let’s get to the bottom of those bad smells and what you can do to stop them.
Quick Overview: What Causes Plumbing Odours?
Here are the most common culprits:
| Source of Smell | What It Means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 🚽 Sewer Smell | Sewer gas is backing up due to a dry or broken trap | Refill water in traps or inspect the trap |
| 🦠 Musty Odour | Mold or mildew in wet areas | Dry the area & repair leaks |
| 🧫 Rotten Eggs | Hydrogen sulfide gas (bacteria in pipes or water) | Clean drains or treat the water |
| 🐭 Dead Animal Smell | Something crawled in your vent or pipe and didn’t crawl out | Call us to investigate safely |
| 🔥 Burnt Smell | Often from the water heater or electrical elements | Have us check your heater or elements |
Let’s Dive Deeper — Common Odour Types and Solutions
1. The Classic Sewer Smell
Smells like: Rotten eggs, sewage, decay
Likely cause: A dry or cracked P-trap under your sink or shower
Your P-trap holds water to create a seal that keeps sewer gas from coming up. If it dries out, that barrier disappears, and so does your nose’s happiness.
🔧 DIY Fix: Run water for 30 seconds in the smelly drain to refill the trap.
👷 Pro Fix: If the smell persists, you might have a cracked trap or venting issue — time to call us.
2. Moldy or Mildew Mustiness
Smells like: Wet basement, old socks, musty attic
Likely cause: Hidden leaks under sinks or behind walls
Water + darkness + warmth = a perfect mold breeding ground.
🔧 DIY Fix: Check for obvious leaks and wipe down wet areas.
👷 Pro Fix: We can find hidden pipe leaks and seal them before serious mold damage sets in.
3. The “Something Died” Smell
Smells like: Dead rodent, compost, nightmares
Likely cause: A critter crawled into your plumbing vent or wall and didn’t make it out
Vent pipes run from your plumbing to the roof — and unfortunately, they sometimes double as rodent highways.
👷 Pro Fix Only: This job isn’t for the faint of heart. We’ll safely inspect your vent stacks and remove the source (and disinfect the area).
4. Burning or Metallic Smell
Smells like: Overheated plastic or scorched metal
Likely cause: Your water heater may have electrical issues, or sediment build-up is overheating the unit.
🚫 Warning: This could be a fire hazard. Turn off the water heater and call us immediately.
Preventing the Funk: Proactive Tips
Don’t wait until guests ask, “What is that smell?” Here are some prevention tips:
✔️ Run unused sinks weekly — Keeps traps full of water
✔️ Clean your drains — Monthly with baking soda + vinegar
✔️ Use mesh drain catchers — Prevents gunk buildup
✔️ Check your vent pipes — Ensure nothing’s blocking airflow
✔️ Service your water heater — Flush it yearly to prevent sediment smells
✔️ Call for annual inspections — Like an oil change, but for your pipes
👃 Don’t Just Mask the Smell — Fix It for Good!
Spraying air freshener is a short-term bandage for what could be a big problem hiding behind your walls. Odours could mean:
- Pipe corrosion
- Blocked vents
- Sewer line cracks
- Mold infestation
- Gas leaks
The sooner you call us, the easier (and cheaper) the fix usually is. Waiting can make a $100 fix become a $2,000 disaster
Ready to Breathe Easier?
We’re not your average 9-to-5 plumber. At Go 2 Plumbing and Heating, we offer:
✅ 24-Hour Emergency Response — Odours don’t sleep, and neither do we
✅ Full Drain & Vent Inspections
✅ Safe Mold and Odour Remediation
✅ Plumbing Vent and Trap Repairs
✅ Sewer Line Evaluations
☎️ Call us now: 780-850-8817
🧾 Request a free quote online: https://www.go2plumbers.ca/contact-us/
Let’s Clear the Air — For Good!
Whether it’s a faint whiff or a full-blown stench, plumbing odours should never be ignored. From mystery smells to full-blown backups, the team at Go 2 Plumbing and Heating has your back.
- Serving Edmonton and surrounding areas with expert care
- Available 24/7, not just banker’s hours
- Fast, clean, and transparent service — every time
Smells don’t fix themselves. Let’s solve the stink today.
