LESLIE: Charles in Texas, you’ve got The Money Pit. What can we do for you today?
CHARLES: Hi, there. We installed a new heating and cooling system; dual fuel heat pump, air cleaner, humidifier. Now we have a sewer gas odor that accumulates through the house.
TOM: Hmm. There’s a condensate drain associated with that system. When they tapped the condensate drain did they go into the main plumbing system for that or is it running outside?
CHARLES: Yeah, they went into the main plumbing system.
TOM: Yeah? Well, I bet you that’s where the problem is. You probably don’t have a trap in there the way it’s installed and the venting is probably coming right out of that hole where it’s connected.
CHARLES: I bet it is.
TOM: Either that or I’ll tell you something else that happens. If the trap is there but the trap is dry because the water is evaporated; it’s not spilling out that much moisture right now, that can let sewer gas come in, too. So if the trap is there you might want to pull the hose out and pour a little water in there so it stays wet because if it’s not wet it won’t block sewer gas and if it’s not there that’s the problem right there as well.
CHARLES: OK. Well, great.
TOM: Should be an easy fix, Charles.
CHARLES: Thank you.
TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
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