Re: Janet's sewer problem

[Guest guest]

Janet,

I remember back to when I started having trouble with mold in my workplace

HVAC system. As my sensitivity increased, I started having adverse reactions

in buildings that had never been a problem before. I avoided going to those

places and became reluctant to try going anyplace new. I guess you could say

I was a little paranoid. I think this applies to you as well. You are

looking for problems sometimes where there aren't any. And in doing so, you

might antagonize people such as your landlord.

You are probably right that there is something in your drain to which you

are reacting. But I doubt that it is sewer gas. Think about what sewer gas

is. It is the metabolic by-product of microorganisms decomposing organic

matter in the sewer. That organic matter comes from all our homes. The most

logically thought of organic matter is human wastes going down the toilet.

But even the kitchen and bathroom sinks are sources. Any small food scraps

are nutrients for microorganisms. Even soap scum is organic nutrient, and

some microorganism will metabolize it, causing the sewer gas odor. If there

is water in the J-trap under the sink, there will be no sewer gas. But if

you would actually take the pipe apart, you will find considerable scum in

virtually any sink or bath drain. A simple solution is to once a month

dilute one ounce Clorox in a pint of water and pour it in the drain, maybe

before going to bed at night. (Clorox's main ingredient, sodium

hypochlorite, is also in liquid Drano.) At least let it stand an hour or

more. That will kill all microorganisms and even clean most of the scum,

eliminating the odor for some time.

See if this helps, and if so, ask your landlord to let you stay if there

are no other obvious problems there.

Gil

Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2003 21:41:19 EDT

From: Gingersnap1964@...

Subject: Re: Re: Landlords

I have to share this. I had told my landlord I was smelling sewer gas

through my sink drains and have been getting sicker for more then a month.

He told me he isnt fixing it and I can leave. I got a letter from his

secretary today stating I said the apartment was unsafe and he doesn't want

to be responsible for my illness. He knew my illness before I moved in. I

have 30 days. As you guys know, it is hard to find a place that relatively

new and mold free. Between this and losing my job and denied disability and

fighting the government and getting sick from building OWCP made me go...I

just don't know.

God Bless,

Janet

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