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May 22, 2009
possible venting issue
I think we have a venting issue in our basement, wondering if it is dangerous or can we put it on the later priority list. Basically, it seems when we run the dishwasher in our parlor floor kitchen, the laundry room (garden extension underneath the kitchen) smells like sewer a bit. The dishwasher/laundry machine and laundry sink all seem to be on the same plumbing line which we were told by a contractor has a "farmhouse vent" - which I gather is an illegal venting system or something. We have windows in the laundry room, we usually open them during the day and it airs out fairly quickly. The stench is not overwhelming and dissipates within an hour of running the dishwasher. We plan to fix it but can't really fit it onto the budget right now. Can the sewer gas be dangerous though? It's not really living space, it is a semi-finished basement mostly used for laundry and storage.
Comments
Not sure what a farmhouse vent is, but you may want to have a plumber look at it. Short of that, you should make sure that the drain for the washer is a sealed fitting and has a check valve (which only allows water to flow in one direction) to prevent waste water from backing up into the washer. As a professional house and building inspector, I routinely advise clients that a sewer smell typically indicates an open pipe and/or poor venting practices and is considered a health hazard.
Posted by: an inspector at May 26, 2009 9:13 AM
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