I recently moved into a new tri-level townhouse and have noticed a strange odor coming from a small closet in the basement under the stairs. The closet provides access to the water main and radon system, so I initially thought it might be related to the pipes. However, the smell seems to be isolated to that closet only, as the room next to it is odor-free. Oddly enough, I also catch a whiff of the same smell in the pantry on the second floor, which is about 20 feet away from the closet. Has anyone experienced something like this or have any suggestions on what might be causing the smell? I'll link some pictures in the comments for reference.
1 Answer
It sounds like the drain in that basement closet might be the culprit. Sometimes, if the trap dries out, sewer gases can seep through and cause a weird smell. I’d recommend pouring some water down it to see if that helps clear things up. Just a cup or so should do the trick! Let me know if you need help identifying the drain!
Is this the drain you mean? [This drain?](https://imgur.com/gallery/Mz0gmUB) How much water should I put in?