Why Does My Sewer Line Smell Worse In Late Summer?

As Calgary transitions into late summer, cooler nights might be rolling in, but that doesn’t mean plumbing problems disappear. Many homeowners notice strong, unpleasant smells coming from their sewer lines and drains in August.

If your bathroom or basement suddenly smells like rotten eggs or musty sewer gas, your plumbing system could be reacting to the lingering effects of dry weather and summer buildup.

Over the summer, high water usage, bacterial activity, and infrequent drain use can create the perfect storm for sewer gas odours. Even as temperatures begin to drop, those smells tend to linger, especially if your drains are clogged or your sewer line hasn’t been maintained.

In this blog, we’ll discuss why sewer smells tend to get worse in late summer, what signs to watch for, and how a professional drain cleaning service in Calgary can eliminate the problem before fall hits.

The Science Behind Summer Sewer Odours

Late summer creates ideal conditions for odours to build up inside sewer lines, especially in homes where drains haven’t been cleaned or used regularly. Understanding the science behind these smells can help you spot trouble early.

Heat + Bacteria = Bad Smells

Although the weather starts cooling, heat stored in your home’s plumbing system allows bacteria to thrive. When organic waste sits in pipes, heat speeds up decomposition, producing foul-smelling sewer gases like hydrogen sulphide.

These gases make their way up through sink, tub, or floor drains, especially when there’s no water barrier holding them back.

Dry Drains and Evaporating Traps

Your plumbing system relies on P-traps. These are the curved sections of pipe that hold water to block gases from entering your living space. But in infrequently used drains, that water can evaporate, especially in dry or heated indoor conditions.

Once the seal is gone, gases have a clear path into your home, causing that unmistakable sewer smell.

Common Causes of Summer Drain Smells

Knowing what causes late-summer odours can help you take action before they get worse. Several factors contribute to these smells, ranging from minor drain clogs to major sewer line issues.

Here’s what might be happening behind the scenes.

Clogged or Slow Drains

A clogged or sluggish drain traps food particles, soap, hair, and grease, all of which decompose more rapidly in warmer months.

These blockages create the perfect environment for bacterial growth. If you’re noticing persistent odours along with gurgling sounds or slow-draining water, it may be time for clogged drain repair in Calgary homes.

Sewer Line Backups or Damage

Sometimes, the problem isn’t your drains. It’s your main sewer line. Tree root intrusion, shifting soil, and pipe damage often worsen during Calgary’s dry spells. These issues restrict flow and allow gases to back up into your home.

A professional sewer line cleaning in Calgary can identify and resolve these deeper issues before they escalate into a full blockage.

Septic or Main Line Venting Issues

Your plumbing system needs to breathe, and that’s the job of vent stacks. If those vents become blocked or damaged, sewer gases can’t escape and instead get pushed back indoors.

This often-overlooked issue becomes more noticeable in summer when airflow patterns change, making odours more intense and persistent.

How to Prevent Drain Odours During Hot Weather

The good news? Many of these issues are preventable with a few proactive steps. As summer winds down, take time to inspect your drains, refresh water traps, and practice cleaner disposal habits.

Here’s how you can keep your home fresh and sewer-gas-free.

Run Water Through Infrequently Used Drains

Unused drains lose their water barrier, giving sewer gases an open route into your home. Prevent this by running water through these drains every couple of weeks. To slow evaporation, pour a few tablespoons of mineral oil down the drain after the water.

It forms a thin layer that keeps the water in place longer.

Schedule Routine Drain Maintenance

An annual drain inspection and cleaning is one of the best ways to prevent smelly surprises. Booking a drain cleaning service in Calgary before the fall helps avoid emergencies, especially as households prepare for increased water usage in colder months.

Professional tools and techniques can remove buildup you can’t reach with DIY cleaners.

Avoid Pouring Oils or Fats Down the Drain

Leftover grease from summer grilling might seem harmless going down the sink, but it quickly hardens and traps other debris. Over time, this leads to bad smells, slow drains, and even full clogs.

Always pour fats into a container, let them cool, and toss them in the trash instead.

Breathe Easier With Help From Jack’d Up Plumbing

If your drains are smelling worse than usual this summer, don’t wait for the problem to get out of control. At Jack’d Up Plumbing, we offer professional drain cleaning service in Calgary that gets to the root of the issue, from odour-causing buildup to full sewer line obstructions. We’re fast, reliable, and fully licensed to handle any job, big or small.

Our team also provides targeted solutions for sewer line cleaning and clogged drain repair, so you can enjoy a cleaner, safer, and better-smelling home. We know Calgary homes, and we know how to protect them.

Call us today to schedule service or request an inspection, and stop drain smells before they ruin your summer.