What Causes Sewer Smells After Heavy Florida Rain?

Living in Northwestern Florida isn’t all sunshine, as those in the rest of the country may believe. Our state gets frequent, heavy rainfall between June and September that can cause issues with plumbing systems. 

Tru Plumbing and Gas is a local Florida-based plumbing company that provides solutions for household plumbing problems, including diagnosing sewer smells after heavy rain. If you smell sewage in or around your home, call us for a professional diagnosis and lasting solutions.

Why Does My House Smell Like Sewer After Heavy Florida Rain?

Sewage smells after heavy rain can be caused by a number of issues. Sometimes, a compromised sewer drain pipe underground can cause backups in the bathtub, or the issue could be with the municipal sewer lines, causing flooding in the streets. 

Sewage odors aren’t always an emergency, but it is a good idea to call a professional plumber if the problem recurs, as it may be a sign of underlying issues.

How Heavy Rain Can Trigger Sewer Odors

Floridians know that heavy rainfall is part of our summer storm season. The Panhandle receives about 60 inches of rain every year, which saturates the local sandy soil and can overload municipal sewer lines, shift and crack pipes, or overwhelm your home’s drainage system. 

In most cases, though, the rainfall isn’t the problem. Heavy rains and high water pressure simply expose or worsen existing issues in your home’s plumbing. More water in your pipes means more water pressure. If you have existing structural damage like cracks or corrosion, vent issues, or septic tank problems, extreme weather may worsen them. 

Common Causes of Sewer Smells After Rain

Some of the most common reasons your home drains smell after rain include:

• Blocked roof vents: Plumbing vents balance air pressure in your pipes and let sewer gases escape. If they get blocked by debris, trapped air pressure can force sewer gas back into the house.
• Florida’s high water table: Our sandy soil is easily saturated during heavy rain because of the area’s high water table. This extra groundwater puts pressure on underground sewer lines and septic drainfields, causing stress cracks, flooding, and bad smells.
• Cracked, broken, or failing plumbing: Plumbing problems can worsen when heavy rainfall stresses pipes, leading to contaminated water and sewer gases escaping. 

Why Florida Homes May Experience Sewer Odors After Heavy Rain

Our humid, coastal climate brings frequent seasonal storms that can cause water-level surges, exposing weak points in your sewer system. Sewer odors in the house could mean there’s an issue with your sewer line, such as:

• Tree root intrusions: Willow trees, maples, cottonwoods, sycamores, and Southern magnolias have water-seeking roots that can damage sewer pipes.
• Foundation shifts causing sewer line cracks: Soil shifts, heavy rainfall, and naturally occurring sinkholes can shift your home’s foundation and damage plumbing.
• Corrosion or weakness in older sewer pipe materials: Older Florida homes may have aging cast iron or clay pipes that are beginning to degrade and may need replacement.
• Narrowing pipes due to hard water deposits: Our area’s water contains limestone and shell deposits that can build up inside your plumbing system over time, narrowing pipes and increasing pressure.

Where Sewer Smells Can Enter Your Home

Sewer smells can enter your home from many points. For example, the Florida Building Code requires every home to have at least one vent that leads outside. If this vent becomes blocked, sewer gases can back up into the drains. 

Tub, shower, and sink drains are often where you’ll smell sewage, but it can also come from cracked pipes in the walls or in the foundation, or loose toilet seals. 

Is a Sewer Smell After Rain Something to Worry About?

Your home’s sewage system is designed to keep sewer gases out, so noticing a foul odor can be alarming. However, sometimes the issue is just a blocked vent or a dried-out P-trap in an unused sink. 

Tru Plumbing and Gas provides emergency plumbing services to Florida homeowners, but we never start work until we fully diagnose the cause of the smell. Call today for a professional sewer inspection. After an in-person visit, we’ll help you decide the best course of action.

What To Do if Your Home Smells Like Sewer After It Rains

If you smell sewer gas in your home after it rains, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take before calling a plumber:

• Step one: Try running water in the drains. Either run the tap for 20 to 30 seconds or pour a gallon of water down the drains to refill the P-traps. 
• Step two: Check the cleanout caps outside of the house. If the sewer cleanout caps are missing or broken, this could be where the issue lies.
• Step three: Ventilate the area to clear out excess sewer gas, and avoid open flames until the air is clear.
• Step four: Check the base of your toilet to see if the seal is still tight. If the toilet rocks or clicks when you sit down, it may need a new wax seal.
• Step five: Look and listen for clues, like gurgling toilets or multiple slow drains. 

When To Call a Plumber

If the problem persists, stop using water (including flushing toilets, using the washing machine, and the dishwasher), and then call the licensed plumbers at Tru Plumbing and Gas for sewer services. Sewer gas not only smells bad, but can lead to headaches, nausea, and other health concerns. If it concentrates in a confined area, it can also become flammable and may signal an underlying problem that needs fixing. 

Our team is available for fast plumbing inspections and sewer line repairs. We offer camera inspections, main line cleaning, and sewer line replacements, with expert advice and no unnecessary upsells. Trust our plumbers to get the job done right. 

How a Plumber Can Diagnose the Source

Plumbers systematically check all issues, starting with simple fixes like clearing dry P-traps and checking the toilet. They then move on to drain snaking or hydrojetting, and use sewer camera inspections to find issues like bellied pipes, root intrusion, structural cracks, and collapsed pipes. 

Once we find the cause, our team reviews the best solutions for your home plumbing system and provides professional repairs so you can get back to your daily routine. 

Call Tru Plumbing and Gas for Professional Plumbing in Florida

Tru Plumbing and Gas plumbers are available throughout Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa, and Bay County communities. Contact us for all your plumbing needs. From water leak repairs to full sewer line replacements, our experienced plumbers will handle the job.

FAQ

Is sewer gas in the home dangerous?

Sewer gas in small amounts isn’t dangerous, but if it builds up in a confined space, it can become toxic and flammable. If you have sewer gas in the home, open your windows and call a plumber for help.

How can I tell where the sewer smell is coming from?

To find the source of the sewer smell, check the base of the toilet and see if your P-traps are dry. If that’s not the issue, it’s best to call a professional plumber for help. We have the right tools to diagnose the problem and find a solution fast.

Can heavy rain cause municipal sewer issues in our area?

Yes, sometimes extreme weather can cause municipal sewer overflows. Please report to your local authority if you notice sewage in the street, smell sewer odors, or see manhole overflows.