Plumbing in the Home/basement floor drain

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Expert: Cortez (cort) Cate - 8/22/2008


Question
Hi,

I live in a 3 storey townhouse condo and am on the end unit. Today I noticed a turpentine-like smell in my basement.  I think I have pinpointed the source as being the floor drain in my basement laundry room.  Is this concerning, and what should I be doing?

Thanks!
Ann

Answer
8/21/2008 11:57:31 PM
Hi Ann,
The most common cause of the condition (although “turpentine-like” is not a common description) you describe is the water has evaporated out of the floor drain trap and is allowing sewer gas to enter the living space. In residential construction it is not uncommon to have a seldom used drain (such as a floor drain) installed without a trap-primer. A trap-primer is a device that will periodically distribute a small amount of water to a drain that does not get a lot of use and thus keep some water in the trap. The primary purpose of a p-trap (required on all drains and or fixtures) is to create a water seal preventing sewer gas from entering the living space.
This may not be your problem but if the floor drain is seldom used then I have to guess that is the problem. To correct the situation just pour a little water down the drain occasionally (once a month should do it unless it is really hot then a little more frequent may be in order).
Good Luck, cort

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Cortez (cort) Cate

Expertise

I can answer most questions related to residential and commercial plumbing for buildings up to ten-stories in height. I have excellent knowledge of the UPC and UMC. When I am not sure of the best answer or exactly what you want to know I will at least let you know what I think and try to give you realistic options. Many problems are unique and have no simple answer. In those cases I will try to give you some guidance and you should use that to refine the question further and we, together, can seek the answer via a follow up. Plumbing codes and practices vary around the world--If you don't tell me where you live the answer I give may not fit your locality. I no longer seek ratings for my answers and my time. I am giving my time to you as a way of fulfilling my perceived obligation to share. All the volunteers here deserve the highest rating all the time for their efforts to help and share. Many of you will not take the little time to say thank you; that's ok, it is not required. I am here to try to help you find a solution to your problem. If my answer solves your quest for knowledge that is great and you are welcome BUT most often I will merely be pointing you in the right direction and giving you a little knowledge boost to help you find your answer. REMEMBER, If you want a good answer you need to ask a detailed question and include where you live, type of pipes, type of building, water pressure if it is a water problem, type of heater, age of appliance & building all these and many more are variables that have an effect on various situations. We can't give you a good answer without good information.

Experience

Since 1972 a California licensed B-1 General Building Contractor, C-36 Plumbing and C-16 Fire Sprinkler Contractor; also installing and servicing Heating, Air Conditioning and Sheet Metal operating as C and C Building and Plumbing, California State License 279516. In 1995 I downsized the company to become semi-retired. Still I remain active in the construction industry. As head of a company I placed personnel and job safety as the number one objective followed closely by training and continuing education. Always seeking to stay informed of leading edge technology in the industry. Also I have spent several years as an Apprenticeship Instructor in the Pipe Trades Unions. Additionally I am a certified OSHA instructor.

Education/Credentials
United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters Instruction Training, Ann Arbor, MI Bakersfield College, Bakersfield CA Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, CA Foothill College, Los Altos, CA California Licensed Contractor from 1971

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