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Could a utility-room drain odor be confused with a gas leak?
An odor strongest at a floor drain could have more than one possible source, but smell alone can’t establish that it’s sewer gas or rule out fuel gas. If the source is uncertain, the safe response is to leave and contact the appropriate utility or emergency service from a safe location.
For the professionals responding, would it help to know whether the odor was present before any appliance operated, and whether it seemed strongest at the drain or also near gas equipment? What checks can they use to distinguish the sources without treating a drain test or a home detector as clearance?
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