Sewage smell and headaches from drain: gas leak?« Back to Previous Page

A sewage smell from a drain, particularly in an older Dubai building, is almost certainly not a natural gas leak, as the UAE's gas supply is odorless and has mercaptan added to give it a very distinct, strong rotten egg smell for safety. Your description of a faint smell from a drain points to other common issues in our climate.

The most likely culprit is a dried-out P-trap. This is the U-shaped pipe under the drain that holds water to block sewer gases from entering your home. In Deira's intense heat, and with year-round AC running that dehumidifies the air, the water in these traps can evaporate quickly, especially in a bathroom that isn't used daily. This allows the sewer gas smell to come up. Pouring a liter of water down each drain, including floor drains in the shower and laundry area, can often resolve this immediately.

If the smell persists after refilling the traps, the issue could be a partially blocked or damaged vent pipe on the building's roof, which is designed to equalize pressure in the drainage system. A blockage can cause siphoning that pulls the water from your P-traps. For this, you must contact your building's owner's association or facility management company. They are responsible for inspecting and repairing the building's common drainage and venting systems.

The headaches are a significant concern and suggest the potential presence of low levels of hydrogen sulfide or other volatile organic compounds from the sewage, which can cause such symptoms. For immediate safety, open windows for ventilation if possible and limit time spent in that bathroom.

Given the symptoms, a professional assessment is advised. For a confirmed gas leak (rotten egg smell), you must call SEWA's emergency line immediately. For persistent sewer gas smells originating from within your apartment or the building's plumbing, a qualified plumber can perform a smoke test to identify cracks or leaks in the waste lines. If the source remains elusive and health symptoms continue, an indoor environmental consultant with a microbiology lab can perform air quality testing to identify and measure the specific contaminants present.