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What to do if…
multiple drains are gurgling and your home smells like sewage

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Stop using toilets, sinks, showers, and appliances that drain water. Look only from a safe, dry position for wastewater or rising water at the lowest drain or toilet, then call a plumber or sewer and drain service; also contact your local sewer utility if neighbors are affected or a public sewer problem is visible.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep flushing, showering, or running water to test whether the problem clears.
  • Don’t pour drain opener, bleach, or other cleaners into fixtures, and don’t mix cleaning products.
  • Don’t enter sewage water or let children or pets near an affected area.
  • Don’t touch outlets, appliances, or electrical controls if you are standing in water or would need to cross a wet area.
  • Don’t investigate or try to ventilate the home if the odor could be natural gas, or if you hear hissing near an appliance, meter, or pipeline. Leave immediately and call your gas utility’s emergency number or 911 from a safe distance outdoors.
  • Don’t try to diagnose the exact cause before stopping water use and arranging help.

What to do now

  1. Rule out a possible natural-gas leak before doing anything else indoors. If the odor could be natural gas, or you hear hissing near an appliance, meter, or pipeline, leave immediately. Do not use switches, appliances, flames, vehicles, or a cell phone near the suspected leak. Call your gas utility’s emergency number or 911 from a safe distance outdoors.
  2. Stop household water use. Do not flush toilets, run faucets, shower, use the dishwasher, or use the washing machine.
  3. Look for signs of a backup from a safe, dry position. Check the lowest visible drain, shower, tub, or toilet. Visible wastewater or rising water means there is an active backup. Gurgling or bubbling without visible wastewater can still be a warning that the drainage system needs prompt attention.
  4. Limit exposure. Keep people and pets out of affected rooms. If there is no possible natural-gas concern and you can do so without entering a contaminated or electrically unsafe area, open exterior windows or doors.
  5. Treat wet electrical areas cautiously. If wastewater is near outlets, appliances, or electrical equipment, turn off power to the affected area only if you can reach the breaker panel safely from a dry location. Otherwise, stay out and get professional help.
  6. Call the appropriate service.
    • Call a plumber or sewer and drain service and say that multiple drains are gurgling and the home smells like sewage. Tell them whether any fixture is backing up.
    • If neighbors are also affected, sewage is visible near a street manhole, or you otherwise suspect a public sewer problem, call your city, county, or sewer utility emergency line. Check an official local website or utility bill for the correct number.
    • If the home uses a septic system, call a septic service provider. You can also ask your local health department or onsite wastewater regulator for guidance.
  7. If sewage has entered the home, avoid direct contact. If you must enter briefly and it is safe to do so, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and eye protection. Wash any exposed skin with soap and water afterward.
  8. Record the immediate damage from a safe area. Take photographs or video of affected fixtures and rooms. Note when you first noticed the smell, gurgling, or backup. Notify your landlord or property manager if you rent, and contact your insurer if property has been damaged.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide whether the cause is a vent issue, dry trap, private sewer-line blockage, public sewer problem, or septic malfunction right now.
  • You don’t need to start a full cleanup while wastewater is still rising or before the source is addressed.
  • You don’t need to decide what can be saved or discarded today.
  • You don’t need to make repair, insurance, or landlord-dispute decisions while you are still stabilizing the immediate situation.

Important reassurance

These symptoms can have more than one cause. Stopping water use, avoiding exposure, and arranging an inspection are sensible first moves that can reduce the chance of the situation getting worse.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Diagnosis, repairs, sanitation, insurance questions, and any later decisions may need help from a plumber, sewer and drain service, septic provider, restoration service, local utility, landlord, or insurer.

Important note

This is general information, not plumbing, electrical, medical, legal, insurance, or other professional advice. Leave immediately and call 911 if there is an immediate danger, such as a suspected gas leak, fire, severe symptoms, or an unsafe electrical condition.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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