Problem Overflow

Smoke, smells and damp getting into your apartment, and how renters stop them.

Drain & sewer smells

A rotten egg smell: is it sewer or gas?

Easy · About 5 minutes

Where I am
You smell something like rotten eggs and aren't sure why.
Where I want to be
To know if you're safe.
What's in the way
Sewer gas and natural gas both smell like sulfur.

Try this first, free: If there's any chance it's gas, skip everything here and go outside first. Only when the smell is plainly coming from a drain, with no gas stove, heater or meter nearby, is it safe to treat it as sewer.

The fix

  1. If you think it could be gas, don't wait. Leave the apartment now, and take the people and pets with you.
  2. Don't flip any light switches, use a lighter, or unplug anything on your way out.
  3. From outside, call the gas company's emergency number, or the emergency line for your area.
  4. If it's clearly from a drain and you're sure, run water down it for a minute and see if it clears.

What this won't fully fix: This card is about staying safe, not about fixing anything. Don't try to find a gas leak yourself.

Safety first: If you smell gas, or you're not sure, leave first and call from outside. Don't go back in until the gas company says it's safe.

What to get

Natural gas detector on Amazon

These open an Amazon search, so you can pick the one that fits. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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