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We all have bathrooms and unfortunately, we’ve all been in bathrooms that smell – but hopefully, it’s not in your home. A bathroom can be a sanctuary for some, a place to wash up and a place to relax. The last thing you want is a constant lingering nasty sewer smell in the bathroom.
But why does this sometimes occur? And what can you do to make sure it doesn’t happen to your bathroom? Let’s find out!
A sewer smell is essentially the smell of sewer gas, which smells very unpleasant like human waste or rotten eggs. The first thing I would recommend checking is the toilet bowl and toilet seal to rule out whether the odours you are experiencing are coming from the toilet.
Certain components of your plumbing system serve to block off-gases from your home. The offensive sewage odours you’re smelling might be explained if these seals dry out or become loose. The seals around the water traps should be checked to ensure they’re not worn. These are found under every drain in your home —they are referred to as a P-trap or S-trap.
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Follow my advice and do not let this sit. I know some homeowners might keep saying I will get to it another day. Another day is now and you don’t want to have to smell that unpleasant smell any longer than is necessary!
Rotten-egg smell is a symptom of both septic gas, which leaks in through the plumbing, and toxic drywall, which off-gasses hydrogen sulphide. If the house has been vacant for a while, dried-out traps might be letting in septic gas, which is lethal in large doses.
Common causes of sewer smell in the bathroom can be from a dried-out P-trap, a blocked or damaged vent pipe or sewer pipe, a leaking toilet seal or a build-up of organic matter.
Rotten-egg smell is a symptom of both septic gas, which leaks in through the plumbing, and toxic drywall, which off-gasses hydrogen sulphide. If the house has been vacant for a while, dried-out traps might be letting in septic gas, which is lethal in large doses.
That curved section of piping under your sink or shower is the P-trap. Its purpose is to keep sewage gases out of your bathroom. When the P-trap dries out, it no longer seals out those smelly gases.
Learn more below on how to fix this issue and keep your bathroom smelling fresh.
The vent pipe ensures that your plumbing system has enough airflow. This stops water from being sucked out of your traps and allows sewage gases to escape. If your vent pipe is blocked or damaged it could be the cause of the bad smells.
Waste is transported from your home to the public sewer system by your main sewer line. You can encounter unpleasant odours and other problems when it’s damaged or broken.
Your toilet’s base is sealed to the floor and the sewage pipe by the toilet seal. This is sometimes referred to as the wax ring. A broken seal could allow gases to enter your bathroom, and cause a nasty smell.
Over time your drains may become clogged with organic material like hair and soap scum. This can create a breeding ground for bad odours. You can prevent an organic build-up in your drains by avoiding the use of excessive amounts of toilet paper and flushing foreign materials down your toilet.
So now that you know some of the common causes, let’s discuss these further and how you can fix them to get rid of that bad sewer smell.
The P-trap is the curved section of pipe located beneath your sink or shower drain. Its shape allows a small amount of water to be trapped, creating a seal that prevents sewer gases from entering your bathroom.
Water enters the P-trap when it runs down your drain, filling it with water. Any gases from the sewer line below are blocked by the water barrier.
The water inside the P-trap might evaporate over time, allowing the seal to become dry and letting bad scents into your bathroom. This can often happen if a particular drain in your bathroom isn’t used frequently. Like if you have a guest bathroom or shower that is not used regularly.
If you suspect that this might be the issue. Simply pour a gallon of water down the drain to replenish the P-trap’s water seal. This should restore the barrier against sewer gases.
Make sure you also frequently use the bathroom or shower to keep it from drying out. This is an easy solution that will help you stop this from happening again.
The vent pipe is an essential component of your plumbing system because it lets air in, balances pressure, and stops water from escaping from traps. It usually passes through the top of your house and is connected to your sewer system.
A blocked or damaged vent pipe prevents air from moving through your plumbing system as it should. As a result, your P-traps may suck water, creating a vacuum effect that could let sewer gases into your bathroom.
If you suspect there is an issue check for any obstructions, like a bird’s nest or debris, like leaves. Also, check for any cracks or breaks in the piping.
In either case, you should contact a professional to get the vent pipe inspected and fixed.
A sewer pipe can become damaged or cracked due to various factors, including age, corrosion, tree root intrusion, or ground shifting. Sewage or waste water can leak out of damaged or cracked pipes causing the nasty smell, as well as releasing sewer gas.
Cracks can also attract pests, like insects and rodents which can compound the issue.
If you have concerns about a broken or damaged sewer pipe, contact a licensed plumber. A licensed plumber can scope, the pipe with a plumbing snake. This is a device that has a camera attached to the end and can evaluate the damage. They can then determine if it can be repaired or will require a full replacement.
While issues do come up, regular and proper home maintenance can help prevent this from happening.
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A vital part that seals the joint between your toilet bowl and the sewage pipe flange is a toilet seal. Sometimes this is referred to as a wax ring or toilet gasket. It sits between the base of the toilet and the floor and is typically made of wax or a wax-like substance.
The seal prevents any sewage or sewer gas from leaking into your bathroom. It forms an airtight and watertight barrier between the bottom of the toilet and the sewer line.
The toilet seal also stabilized the toilet, keeping it securely in place on the floor.
A compromised toilet seal can cause a sewer smell in your bathroom. This can be due to wear and tear, improper installation, or other factors.
Typically, gas leakage is the cause of the smell. However, in rare cases, a leaking toilet seal can permit wastewater or sewage to seep out from beneath the toilet.
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If you suspect that this is the culprit, contact a licensed plumber immediately.
While I always recommend calling the professionals, if you are a seasoned handy-person you can probably do a simple replacement by following these steps:
A compromised toilet seal can cause a sewer smell in your bathroom. This can be due to wear and tear, improper installation, or other factors.
The build-up of “organic matter” when it comes to plumbing refers to things, such as hair, soap scum, and food particles. Organic debris frequently builds up in bathroom drains, particularly those for sinks, showers, and bathtubs.
An accumulation of organic matter in your drains and pipes can lead to plumbing issues, that can cause sewer smells. A clogged drainpipe constricts the flow of water and traps debris creating a blockage which can lead to slow drainage, water backups and sewer gas. As this organic matter starts to decompose or break down it can create foul-smelling gases like hydrogen sulfide.
This blockage can also prevent sewer gas from venting properly through the vent pipe causing your bathroom to smell.
Again, if you are experiencing any signs relating to sewer smells you should always contact a licensed plumber as they will have the necessary knowledge, experience and equipment to address any issues you have and provide the right solutions. One of a plumber’s most essential tools is a plumbing snake or auger. This tool can go deep into the drainpipe and physically remove hair, and debris.
However, there are chemical drain cleaners that will help dissolve the blockage but use these with caution as they can be harsh on your plumbing system. A mixture of baking soda and vinegar can also break down the matter, followed by a hot water rinse after a few minutes soak.
Regular maintenance and repair can avoid many problems in your home. However, no bathroom should smell like a sewer. If this happens you have an issue. If you feel this situation is beyond your comfort zone, call the pros. They have the knowledge, experience and equipment to help you find the right solution for you.
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Mike Holmes 4 days ago If you have a crack in the foundation, you are looking at around $4000-$5000 to repair a structural basement foundation. Cost can be higher if the foundation repair requires the involvement of machinery and engineers. Depending on the scope of the project, it could cost you $10,000-$20,000. makeitright.ca/holmes-advice/buying-selling-your-home/how-serious-is-a-crack-in-the-foundation/ ... See More See Less Photo View on Facebook · Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email Mike Holmes 4 days ago Today we are working on the utility room (one of my fav rooms in the house). I love seeing new products and technologies that improve the quality of your air. It starts with the furnace room. In this project, we are installing an energy recovery ventilator by Panasonic. ... See More See Less Photo View on Facebook · Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email Mike Holmes 4 days ago Let's go over what the building code is. It's a series of regulations set out by states across North America. Making sure new buildings meet the building code is the reason that permits and building inspections are required. The building code may vary somewhat from one place to the next, especially if an area has special concerns (flooding, termites, earthquakes, extreme cold, etc.), but in general it's pretty uniform. I've worked across Canada and in the US as well, so I know that there are more similarities than differences when it comes to building code. ... See More See Less View on Facebook · Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email Mike Holmes 4 days ago We installed a tankless water heater in Frank's plac#holmesfamilyrescueescue. What's great about tankless water heaters is that the water is pulled fresh from the source and is quickly heated on its way to the hot water tap. Because of this, you will never run out of hot water. Continuous supply of hot water 👍 ... See More See Less Gas Tankless Water Heaters | What You Should Know bit.ly Heating water is the average home's second highest utility cost after heating and cooling the house itself. A tankless (or on-demand) hot water heater is different from a typical water heater because ... View on Facebook · Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
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