To get rid of sewer smell in your house, find and fix dry P-traps, clean out drains, check toilet seals, clear blocked vents, and repair cracked pipes. A strong sewer odor in your home usually means gases from your plumbing system are leaking through cracks, loose seals, clogged vents, or dried-out traps. It smells awful and if left alone, it can get worse. In this guide, you'll learn where that smell might be coming from and how to fix it yourself in most cases.

Why Does My House Smell Like a Sewer?

Sewer odor inside your home is a sign that sewer gases are leaking somewhere they shouldn't. This usually means a seal is broken, a pipe is clogged, or a fixture has dried out. It's important to fix it fast not just because of the smell, but also because long-term exposure to sewer gas can be unsafe and damaging.

Let's break down the most common causes by location in your house.

1. Bathroom: Check Your Toilet and Shower Area

The bathroom is the first place most people suspect and for good reason. Sewer smells often start here, but the toilet isn't always the only source.

Toilet Wax Ring Issues

Toilet Wax Ring

Underneath your toilet, there's a wax ring that seals the base to the drain pipe. If that ring is cracked, dried out, or loose, sewer gas can escape right into your bathroom.

How to tell:

• The toilet wobbles
• You see water pooling at the base
• The smell gets worse after flushing

How to fix it:

• Replace the wax ring (a DIY job if you're handy)
• If unsure, call a professional to reinstall the toilet securely

Read also – Why Toilet Leaking Around Its Base?

Cracked Base or Loose Seals

Cracked Base or Loose Seals

Water can leak from cracked toilet bowls or loose floor seals, especially if the toilet shifts with use. Moisture build-up under the toilet can cause mold and sewer odor.

Fix:

• Remove old caulk around the toilet base
• Clean the area thoroughly
• Apply a fresh bead of waterproof caulk around the seal

Dry Shower P-Trap

Dry Shower P-Trap

If you haven't used your shower in a while like in a guest bathroom or after returning from a trip the P-trap may have dried out. This U-shaped pipe is meant to hold water to block sewer gas from rising back into the home.

Fix:

• Run the shower for a minute to refill the trap
• Add a few drops of mineral oil to slow evaporation

Shower Drain Biofilm

If you use soaps, shampoos, or body washes, they can mix with hair and skin cells in your drain and form a layer of bacteria called biofilm. This can trap odors and mimic the smell of sewer gas.

Shower Drain Biofilm

How to clean it:

• Remove the drain cover
• Pour hot water (150°F max) down the drain
• Add 1 cup white vinegar + ½ cup baking soda
• Wait 2 hours
• Pour another gallon of hot water and scrub with a drain brush

2. Bathroom Sink: Don't Forget the Overflow Hole

Many sinks have a small overflow hole just beneath the faucet. This area often traps soap scum, hair, and bacteria leading to a surprisingly strong sewer-like smell.

How to clean it:

• Use a small bottle brush dipped in vinegar to scrub it out
• Or pour a 50/50 mix of bleach and water down the overflow hole
• Rinse with hot water

Also check the P-trap under the sink it may be dry or partially clogged.