Sewer Odors in Bathroom
Related Articles: Sewer Gas Smell, Foul Odor, Sewer Gas & Sump Pump, Shower Drain Odor, Clog Free Vent Pipes
DEAR TIM: We recently have begun to notice a sewer odor from only one of the three bathrooms in our house. It might be the toilet, but it's hard to tell. The smell is not constant and some times it is very strong. Everything in the house drains fine, including the toilet with the odor. Where can the odor be coming from? I have put a bacterial additive in the toilet but this does not seem to help. Is this serious? What can I do to fix the problem? Karen B., Watseka, IL
DEAR KAREN: The odor can be coming from numerous places. Often the source of the problem is simple, but in rare occasions the problem can be a serious plumbing flaw that is hidden behind a wall. I have found more often than not that the problem can be solved in just a few moments with a quart of water.
Plumbing fixtures or floor drains that get little use can loose this effective water seal. The water in the trap simply evaporates and/or it can be sucked from the trap by a clogged vent pipe or a poorly designed or installed pluming system. You can be fooled when you look into a drain and see the reflection of water. Even though you see water, sewer gas can be passing over this small amount of water left at the very bottom of a trap. Tubs and showers in guest bathrooms frequently are the culprit. Often people will use a toilet or sink in a bathroom but the tub and shower go unused for months at a time.
Pour a quart of water in the sink and tub drains. This is plenty of water to fill the trap and provide the full water seal. If this is the problem, the odor should go away in a very short amount of time. If the odor is still present, then it is time to look at other possibilities.
The inside surface of bathroom sink, tub and shower drains can also be a huge source of odors. Kitchen sinks frequently have similar odor problems. Almost all sinks have a piece of pipe called a tailpiece that extends from the bottom of the sink into the top of the p trap. This pipe is constantly exposed to the air in your bathroom. All of the bacteria, dirt, grime, mold, etc. pass through this pipe on its way to the sewer or septic system. But often some is left behind. Over time a thick layer of slime starts to collect on the inside surface of this vertical pipe. Mold and bacteria can begin to grow and some produce noxious odors.
Because of the fixed metal parts at the bottom of sink and tub drains, it is virtually impossible to completely clean these pipes while they are in place. Often you can take apart the drain assembly and clean the inside of this pipe in a jiffy. Pay attention to the rubber washers and gaskets as you take them apart. If the drain is old, these parts often need to be replaced with new ones to make sure the drain is leak free once you re-assemble it.
Bathroom sinks can also develop odors in the overflow part of the actual sink. The overflow is a little hole at the top of the sink that connects to the bottom of the sink. It is also susceptible to slime buildup. If you are on a city sewer system you can try to pour a 50/50 mix of chlorine bleach and water into this hole. A turkey baster works well for this purpose. Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or other cleaning liquids. Toxic gases can form. If you are on a septic system do not use chlorine bleach. It can harm the bacteria in your septic tank. Try to use a small bottle brush to clean this passageway.
If after all of this the odor persists, the problem may be a serious plumbing problem. The toilet seal may be broken. A hidden vent pipe may have cracked. A plumbing professional has the tools, equipment and know-how to often quickly diagnose problems like this. Call a pro if you can't solve the odor problem.
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Rebecca Dunson 18 Dec 2007, 15:02
My husband & I just moved into our new construction home not even a month
ago. We started noticing a really bad smell coming from the guest bath in
the middle of the house. We use it frequently. However, we have noticed
that the rest of the house is starting to stink too. I am 5 months pregnant
and I am worried if I am smelling something that will harm the baby. Please
help!!
AsktheBuilder 18 Dec 2007, 17:14
Rebecca,
Read all of my sewer gas columns and the ones that have the keyword "biofilm" in it. See if that is your problem. There is little danger for that new baby, unless you are hovering over the sinks and breathing deeply for hours.... But do try to get this resolved quickly.
330 pr0ducts inc 11 May 2008, 23:21
Here is a very simple remedy for sewer odors, If wind appears to cause of
the problem, try the most obvious solution.
The breather pipe is the only part of the plumbing system outside the house subjected to the wind. Fix it! We have spent the last 6 years fixing the odors on RV's at 60MPH, a house or building is alot easier. A simple plastic vent cap (took us 3 years to design), non-mechanical, inhibits any potential of down drafts or high presure at the port opening. converts any breeze into a low presure drawing off fumes and odors - Gauranteed. Can be installed on any angle, sideways, even upside down. Has a bug screen and fits all the standard breathes pipes; 2", 3", and 4". The only non-mechanical device in exsistance with airflow characteristics that match that of rotating devices. See us at: www.360productsinc.com
Janice James 20 Aug 2008, 09:00
Our washer is in the basement. The water drains into a utility sink and
into a sump pump. When the washer drains, it pulls water from the upstairs
toilet until the bowl is almost empty. The toilet fills back up slowly
after the wash cycle is over. Could this be a venting issue?
Mike 09 Sep 2008, 10:40
I am having a problem with foul smelling water coming from the faucets in a
few of my bathrooms. It is actually the water that smells. I have had two
plumbers look at the situation and they can not figure it out. Any
suggestions?
Kim 19 Sep 2008, 23:59
We just had a sewer problem under our home. Under the bathroom vanity is
where it still stinks even though the problem is fixed. Any way to
eliminate the smell without replacing vanities?
Helen 24 Sep 2008, 18:54
I think most of these people have the same problem i have [water smells
like rotten eggs]sulfur gas and it is just the hot water heater, the anode
and the bacteria are the cause. The solution im told is to pour peroxide
into the water heater to kill the bacteria as that is safeer then bleech
but i cant find anywhere to pour it in?? Just where do you add anything to
a waterheater tank??
Don 01 Oct 2008, 14:16
I have recently been getting sewer gas smells from the bathroom area, but
only when the air condition system is on.I can't detect it at the sink or
tub drain area, but it seems more pronounced in a towel closet through
which the vent pipe goes up through to the roof (in a mobile home)
The only recent change was an S trap that I replaced under the tub drain, although I think it was the same as the one that was replaced.
Jacob 09 Oct 2008, 20:17
I have a toilet pump in my basement which is producing a lot of odor. It
comes and goes but is pretty bad when it does smell. How can I eliminate
this problem and what is the cause? Would appreciate any help.
Lori 15 Oct 2008, 09:18
Help! There is a horrible sewer gas smell coming from our third floor
shower, which we use daily. After it sits awhile, it starts to stink. It
seems to be worse after we do laundry. The laundry room is on the second
level; basically adjacent and slightly below this bathroom. We live in a
"California Split" house and have 3 full baths; one on each level. The
second floor bath is no problem. The bottom floor bath has a toilet that
gurgles and gets sudsy when we do laundry. Any advice would be greatly
appreciated! Thanks!
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