Gas (sulphur) type smell in cellar when it rains

fairplay1998

Hello,

I have a problem with the house I have just bought where whenever is rains, there's a very strong gas type smell in my cellar - quite like sulfur. This smell spreads to the rest of the house and makes you feel nauseous. I have had a drainsman come out who did a CCTV inspection and there's no damage to the drains that should cause any problems. He said because the house has been empty for some time, I should run a hot bath full of bleach once or twice a week then pull the plug to help clean the drains in case this is what is causing the problem. I have tried this but it hasn't solved the problem. I was at the house last night and it was raining slightly outside and the smell was very strong. I have noticed the smell is worse if the rain is quite fine.

I am lost as to where to go now to get this issue sorted. Can anybody point me in the right direction?

Any help would be appreciated.

Section62

fairplay1998 said:

I have a problem with the house I have just bought where whenever is rains, there's a very strong gas type smell in my cellar - quite like sulfur. This smell spreads to the rest of the house and makes you feel nauseous. I have had a drainsman come out who did a CCTV inspection and there's no damage to the drains that should cause any problems. He said because the house has been empty for some time, I should run a hot bath full of bleach once or twice a week then pull the plug to help clean the drains in case this is what is causing the problem. I have tried this but it hasn't solved the problem. I was at the house last night and it was raining slightly outside and the smell was very strong. I have noticed the smell is worse if the rain is quite fine.

If mains gas is provided in the street or to your home and the smell is 'gas'-like, then call the gas emergency number - 0800 111 999.

The smell of 'gas' can be altered if the leak is passing through the ground before getting to the place where you are smelling it. The staff responding to reports of gas leaks should have equipment which will enable them to determine the type of gas involved.

Rain could be causing the problem to be worse if either i) There's a gas leak and water entering the ground is displacing the 'gas' or ii) you've got some kind of organic matter which is rotting and the water is increasing the rate of decay and/or the amount of gas given off.

Fine rain is typically associated with damp/humid conditions, or rainfall of longer duration.  Either of which could increase the amount of gas produced/displaced if either of the above suggestions are the cause.

Don't waste hot water and bleach doing what the plumber suggested.  Provided all the traps are working correctly, and the drains are undamaged, there's no reason why smells from the drains would be getting into your house. In any case, pouring bleach into drains is unlikely to make any significant difference to the smell they produce.

Slinky

Could it just be the smell of petrichor - the smell of damp soil after it's rained?