Why is this pipe making my basement smell?

Can anyone help me figure out what this pipe is that comes up from the floor in my basement? I've attached a picture but don't know how to rotate it properly.

For the past couple of days there has been a sewage smell in the basement and we just realized it's coming from this pipe. We have a well and septic tank if that makes a difference. This is a rental so we will be contacting the landlord today, I'm just hoping there's something we can do to stop the smell in the meantime. What could be causing the smell to come from this pipe? We moved in to the house in July and this hasn't been a problem until now.

I appreciate any help or suggestions!

 

I would start by plugging that hole in the pipe. I'm not sure why there is a hole drilled in the side but it could be venting your sewage pipes.

 

Aaayye, yes, this appears to be a poor man's excuse for a Studor Vent. Insist it be properly vented or a Studor vent installed. $25 here or at others STUDOR 1-1/2 in. or 2 in. PVC Mini Vent Adapter-20341 at The Home Depot

 

Not to hijack the thread but...Question for the plumbers. Why are those Studor vents disallowed and frowned upon in so many places, at least I think they are. Is there a problem with them? Seems to me they can eliminate a lot of "plumbing anxiety".

 

Thanks for the quick replies! I wanted to plug the hole in the pipe but since I didn't know what the pipe was I was afraid of causing problems. I obviously don't know much about this stuff.

We've come to learn that this landlord is a fan of cheap fixes so a "poor man's excuse for a Studor vent" sounds about right. So what does a Studor vent do exactly? Will it still vent without the smell? I assume the gases are coming in because they need somewhere to go. Can I safely plug the hole until he comes to fix it?

I'm also curious now why they're disallowed, since this will probably be the best that he will do for us since it's cheap and probably easy. Is it safe?

Thanks so much!

 

Studor vents have been used in mobile homes and homes with limited venting access for a long time. Some municipalities fear them since they are mechanical, they can fail. Well zippidy do da, they can be replaced.

Basically they allow air to be sucked into the pipe to equalize the need produced when a toilet is flushed or sink/tub evacuated. Once that sucking action is over, a spring returns the diaphragm to a closed position eliminating the gasses from entering the house.

This action can best be replicated by placing a soda straw in a glass of water. Place your thumb over the straw and withdraw it. The water will remain in the straw until you "equalize" the air above it by releasing your thumb. Same principle.

If you are having a difficult time with him making the modification, let him know the gasses are not only noxious, but deadly. If he wants to chance it, then have him put it in writing.

 

I dont think its a vent.... Looks like they may have cut the hole to drain a washer in. Its probably not trapped and possibly was put in as a clean out of future toilet rough in....

Have the landlord tanke care of it...

Probably cut the top off say 8" and glue a cap on there.

They fail. They get stuck open and release deadly sewer gas that can make you sick or death can occur in some circumstances. They are not checked mechanically often enough if at all after they are installed.

Its a poor design and a band aid in my opinion.

 

Didn't think of the washer drain thingy. Wondering why the round hole, anyway. Good call on that one. Yeah, you have to keep an eye on the Studor vents, since they are mechanical. Sometimes they are the only way to get venting in impossible situations.

 

I'm with Mike--it looks like a standpipe. Maybe there is a trap and it has dried up.