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Sewer gas smell from kitchen sink

Sewer gas smell from washing machine to kitchen sink. The line vent is cut/capped in basemment. That was done to add dishwasher. My husband connected it from kitchen sink to roof. The basement is still capped. He removed the vent connector that help vent the gas. Help what is wrong here. What should we do? thanks so much. from, Nancy

Nancy Arndt
- Sioux City
February 18, 2011

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Hi,

Every sink has a trap, and it's purpose is not to catch your ring if it slips off your finger :-)

The purpose of a trap is to always be full of water, as it is this water that blocks the sewer gas from coming out of the drain. When a fixture is not properly vented, the water is siphoned out of the trap and the sewer gas is free to enter the house. You must have a vent. Plumbing code requires it. If it is impossible or prohibitively expensive, you can install a siphon breaker, also called an air admittnce valve. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 18, 2011