Foul Bathroom Odors; What Is Causing Them?

Nobody likes bad odors.

If you find yourself catching a whiff that you know doesn’t belong, you should call your plumber. Sewer-like odors are bigger causes for concern because it is not normal for your bathroom to smell that way. In such a case, room fresheners are a temporary solution and the root cause is what you need to figure out.

The first step is to trace the source of this smell.

No water in the P-Trap

The P-trap is the ‘U’ shaped section of piping under the sink and toilet that stores water when you have flushed the toilet, turned off the faucet or emptied the bathtub in your toilet. This water prevents odors from crossing over to your toilet and permeating the air. If however, this barrier is gone you may experience the smell due to sewer gases entering your bathroom.

You can pour water down all you drains in the bathroom and see if the smell disappears, if not, then call a plumber for help.

Vent Pipe Issues

If you recently moved into a new home then it’s possible the contractor installed them wrong. The function of the vent pipe is to send gas odors that originate from the sewer away from your home. If the problem is coming from the wall, then it may be an issue of a wrongly placed vent pipe.

If you are living in an old home-the smell can indicate damage to the vent pipe. A crack will allow the odor to leak. Your local plumber can locate this leak with a smoke machine.

No Ventilation

If you have a bathroom that doesn’t let air pass through it can be an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and mildew. Leave windows open when the toilet is not in use, especially after hot showers so that the steam doesn’t settle.

If you live in climate highly humid region, then getting an exhaust fan to suck up the steam and humidity from the bathroom is a good idea.

If you notice mold in your bathroom even after all this, then get a plumber to inspect your bathroom for leaks in the bathroom walls.

Partial Blockage in Toilets

Blockages in toilets can cause smells if left to stand. If you have tried plunging the toilet and it doesn’t help the smell, then call your plumber to fix this problem before the blockage causes bigger issues such as a sewer backup.

Worn rubber seal

The toilet trap has a rubber seal on the toilet waste compartment. This is also known as a pan collar. This seal can wear down over time and allows the sewage gases to make their way into the air. The best course of action is to get replacement from a plumber.

Get Help

If you notice strange odors in any part of your home, do not ignore them. Instead call Your1Plumber at 561-403-1500; we will send an experienced plumber to your home the same day, to fix any plumbing problems or take care of any plumbing installations that you need.

Visit our site and get access to premium plumbing repair services Palm Beach County in great time and at a great price today!