Have you ever walked into your home and been smacked in the face with a horrible smell? Like, so bad that you couldn’t figure out where it was coming from?
Well, if you have air vents in your house, there’s a good chance the smell is coming from there. Believe it or not, air vent smells like poop.
Yep, according to some experts, air vents can start smelling like feces if they aren’t cleaned regularly. Gross, right?
Why does my air vent smell like poop?
The reason for air vent smells like poop is that the odor is likely to originate from several different sources and components.
You must first decide whether the vent smells like poop or more like sewage. This distinction is important because the odor may not originate from your air conditioner at all.
Sewage smells like poop and almost nothing else; indeed, if your vent smells like sewage, the problem lies elsewhere.
However, suppose you can smell poop and nothing else around the appliance. In that case, the odor is more likely to be coming from your air conditioner.
If you can smell sewage, the problem may lie within the drainage system or come from outside.
Sewage tends to smell pretty bad, and if you can smell it on your clothes when hanging them up to dry, the problem likely lies in the drainage system.
Have a plumber look at your drains to see if there are any blockages, and they can clean any problem areas.
The problem lies outside your home if you cannot smell sewage after hanging your clothes up.
The smell of poop is often caused by a vent pipe that needs to be cleaned. The vent pipe collects the air from the bathroom and sends it outside, which is why the smell is so strong.
You can clean the vent pipe yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.
First, you need to put on rubber gloves and a mask. If the smell of poop is very strong, we recommend putting on goggles and using a protective apron as well.
When you are properly protected, remove the vent pipe from the roof. It is usually secured by a few screws.
Use a screwdriver or drill to get it done quickly. When you remove the vent pipe, you will notice that there is a lot of dirt on the roof.
The next step is to take it down and clean it with a brush. The vent pipe has many small holes that can easily get clogged.
An excellent way to clean the vent pipe is by using a long piece of wire. Thread it through all the holes until you remove all the dirt.
After you are done with cleaning it, put everything back together and check if your smell is gone.
Note: Some smell of poop is caused by a clogged toilet, which you can unclog with a plunger.
Read More- If sewer smells floating around your home after heavy rain, you should read it.
How do I get rid of the poop smell in my air vents?
One way to get rid of the poop smell from air vents is to use a deodorant or air fresheners to help mask the odor.
You can also try using a disinfectant to get rid of the smell.
The best way to prevent the smell of poop from coming from air vents is to make sure that the vents are clean and free of any dirt or dust. You can also try using a deodorant.
Another thing you can do is to make sure that your septic tank is regularly pumped. You should also avoid dumping large amounts of water down the drain.
If you’ve garbage disposal in your sink, run cold water through it when using it to prevent grease from building up and causing a bad smell.
If you take showers and not baths, keep the bathroom door closed while you bathe to prevent excess steam from entering your house. This will cause moisture that can cause mold and mildew to form on furniture, flooring, and walls.
At night you should open a window in the bedroom to help let fresh air circulate the room.
Read More- Toilet Overflow into air vent
Why does the air vent smell like poop in the car?
The smell is probably because the air ducts in your car need to be cleaned and disinfected.
The smell is most likely because of a buildup of bacteria and dust in your car’s air ducts. The most helpful thing to do is clean the air ducts and replace or clean your cabin filter.
Wrap Up On Airvent Smells Like Poop
The smell of poop in the air vents is definitely an unpleasant one. It’s essential to find out where the smell is coming from and fix the problem.
A simple remedy such as changing a filter or clearing out a vent may suffice in other circumstances.
However, if the smell is caused by something more serious, such as mold, you will need to take additional steps to handle the issue.
We hope that this article has helped you identify and solve the problem of smelly air vents!
FAQs Related to Poop Smell in Air vents.
Q1. Can I spray Lysol in my home AC vents?
No. Lysol is not designed for this, and you can damage your AC unit by doing so. Also, don’t limit your use of Lysol to your home’s air conditioner. I’ve heard of people using it in the heater and dryer vents as well.
Q2. How do you sanitize vents?
Mold and other deposits can build up in air conditioning vents at an alarming rate. These vents usually connect to one or more ducts, allowing heated or cooled air to be transferred throughout your home.
These vents are usually located above your head, so it’s essential to ensure the venting is sanitary and free of any hazardous materials.
Unfortunately, mold can grow in these vents, which may cause it to turn up elsewhere in your home.
The best practice to prevent this is to use a disinfecting solution to kill the mold but not damage the vents themselves.
Here are four ways to clean your vents.
1. Vent Brush or Toothbrush Method.
In a spray bottle, combine one part bleach and two parts water. Using a brush or an old toothbrush, spray the surfaces of your vents. Allow this to rest for 10 minutes before rinsing with water.
Dry immediately with a towel. You may also use this procedure to clean your car’s vents.
3. Plastic Wrap Method.
This method is good for smaller vents. Simply wrap the vent with plastic wrap and secure it in place with a rubber band or string.
In a spray bottle, combine one part bleach and two parts water. Using a brush or an old toothbrush, spray the surfaces of your vents. Allow this to rest for 10 minutes before rinsing with water. Dry immediately with a towel.
4. Vinegar and Water Method.
In a spray bottle, combine one part vinegar and one part water. Spray the surfaces of your vents using a brush or old toothbrush.
Allow this to rest for 10 minutes before rinsing with water. Dry immediately with a towel.
5. Bleach and Water Method.
Combine one part bleach and two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the surfaces of your vents using a brush or old toothbrush. Let this sit for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with water. Dry immediately with a towel.
Whatever method you choose, ensure the vents are totally dry before utilizing them.
Otherwise, methane gas could build up and cause an explosion. Make sure you check the vents every day to make sure they’re completely dry and keep them clean.
Q3. How often do you need to have your air ducts cleaned?
Air ducts should be cleaned every 2.5 to 5 years.