sewage smell frm AC only at 7 PM: maintenance or DIY fix?« Back to Previous Page

This specific timing suggests a building-wide drainage issue rather than an isolated AC problem. When multiple apartments use bathrooms simultaneously, it creates a pressure change in the main sewer lines. A faulty or dry P-trap in a rarely used floor drain, or a cracked pipe vent on the roof, can allow these sewer gases to be pulled into the building's ventilation system.

You've correctly addressed the common DIY fix by pouring water into floor drains to refill the P-traps. Since that didn't resolve it, the issue is likely deeper in the building's plumbing or vent stack. In Dubai's high-rise buildings, these shared systems are the responsibility of building maintenance.

Contact your building management or owner's association. They should send a plumber to inspect the main roof vent stacks for blockages and check all common-area drain points. This is not an AC cleaning issue; having your unit cleaned would not solve a sewer gas intrusion problem. The timing is your strongest evidence—point out the direct correlation to evening bathroom usage. They are obligated under Dubai Municipality regulations to maintain healthy indoor environmental quality, which includes addressing sewer gas leaks.