Soil smell coming from underfloor only when wind blows in certain direction

[Tom-smith]

Hi all,

Hoping someone can help. I have a 1930's house and in the waste man hole I have two redundant pipes that look like they go somewhere underneath my house. When the wind blows in a certain direction a smell comes from under the floor. It probably happens once every two weeks. Could these pipes be the cause of the smell? If it is or not, should I block these pipes up anyway and start working out a process of elimination? Should I put cameras up the pipes? Can I temporarily block them? Any help would be much appreciated. Thank Tom

 

[chris watkins]

Hi Tom
If you are sure that these 2 drain lines do not serve anything then you could block them using one of these to see if the smells stop.

The plugs are the cheapest but can be a bit awkward to get them up a line in a manhole.


The bags are easer to get in then you pump them up to seal but the are expensive.

 

[joni os]

Redundant pipes should be sealed with concrete to deter vermin. Try rodding to determine length, direction and where they might have originally surfaced. As above use stopper for temporary seal to ensure pipe not in use .Expanding stopper to pipe size, lubricating and pushing into position is sometimes easier than expanding stopper insitu. Tie cord to stopper to prevent it disappearing downstream should it become loose.

 

[JCplumb]

Or check there isn't a vent brick near where your kitchen waste exits into a grid, had this problem at my mums for years then the penny dropped!

 

[Tom-smith]

Thanks all. I'll give those a wirl and see what happens.