The stench from the sewer is rather pungent and unpleasant, making the washroom a nightmare. Not only does such a stench interfere with your comfort, but often, pungent odour indicates severe problems that can repay all the money and begin dangerous illnesses.
Research shows that exposure to sewage gases such as hydrogen sulphide can cause health effects such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and respiratory illnesses.
Responding to the problem immediately is crucial to restoring the place’s cleanliness. Therefore, Dript Plumbing & Heating will explore top tips if your bathroom smells like a sewer.
Common Causes of Sewage Smell In Bathroom
There can be several causes if your toilet smells like sewer. You should be cautious even with minor symptoms. Here are some common causes.
1. Drain Clogs and Build-up
Drains are supposed to provide for the discharge of wastewater, but over time they can be blocked by oily substances like hair, soap scum, grease, food facets and many others. These blockages delay the water flow and its ability to drain out and promote bacterial and mould growth. The organic matter will also release foul odours upon decomposition that may easily affect the smell of your bathroom.
If your faucets are leaking, refer to our guide here for assistance.
2. Dry P-Trap
A U-shaped pipe is fixed under the sinks, shower, and tub. It has a little water; this provides a seal that will prevent the sewer gases from rising through the drain and into the house.
If the P-trap dries up more often due to the infrequent use of the fixture, the water seal is busted, and the sewer gases penetrate. This is usually the case with guest baths or any other bathroom that is used sparingly and does not receive constant use.
Check our guide to common drain issues here to learn more about the situation.
3. Vented Stack Issues
Its function is to ensure that sewer gases are released above the roofline and that adequate air pressure within the pipe is achieved to ensure proper drainage.
The vent stack can’t perform the above functions if leaves block it, nests, or if it’s damaged. This can cause a backflow of these gases into the plumbing system in your home and may end up in your bathroom.
These problems can quickly go unnoticed, but it is advisable to have your vent stack checked and any problems solved before they escalate.
4. Loose Toilet Seals
If your toilet smells like a sewer, a wax ring or rubber gasket prevents contact with the floor and the sewer pipe for toilets. This seal will prevent water and sewer gases from escaping outwards. These seals may weaken, crack, or not seal properly to let sewer gases seep into your bathroom.
Besides, if a toilet is loose, it can move around and affect the seal due to the movement. The toilet has to be screwed firmly to the floor so that the smell of the sewer does not get through at the base of the bathroom.
If any toilet rocks or needs to be properly positioned, it should be corrected when the bolts are loose, or the seal is worn out, though not attending to this may result in other problems.
Easy Fixes for The Unwanted Smell
There are plenty of DIY solutions you can do yourself to eliminate the smell.
Properly Cleaning Drains
Drains can be cleaned using two processes:
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Vinegar & Soda
An easy fix is using baking soda and vinegar, effectively unblocking drains and eliminating stench. First, flush the drain with approximately 250 millilitres of baking soda. The second procedure is pouring one cup of white vinegar into the drains.
However, there will be some fizzing action that helps to dislodge the organic matter forming the blockage. The solution is left to stand for 15 to 30 minutes to allow it to break down the clog. Submerge the drain with hot water successively to wash out any remains of what could have been blocking the drain.
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Drain Snake
A drain snake is also recommended if the clogs are challenging and the sodium bicarbonate and vinegar mixture cannot dissolve them. Feed the drain snake into the drain opening and push down until you feel an obstacle: the clog. Rotate the handle of the snake anti-clockwise and clockwise to dislodge the blockage.
Slowly and gently extract the snake from the drain together with the clog. Rinse the drain with water to enable the removal of all debris that causes the unpleasant smell.
Flow Water In the P-Trap
It is meant to store water and form a seal that prevents sewerage gases from entering your home. Proceed to the sink, open the cabinet below it, and search for the P-trap. That would be the curved pipe piece connecting to the sink drain.
Run the water from the faucet into the trap for about one to two minutes. This will fill up the seal in the P-trap, thus preventing sewer gases from entering the building.
Use Smell Absorbers
There is nothing like natural odour absorbers when it comes to cleaning your bathroom without the use of chemicals. It is recommended to put a bowl containing used coffee in an accessible place on the toilet.
You can also use charcoal. Pour a small amount of activated charcoal into a bowl or make a mesh sack. Place the bowl or the bag where the smells are most easily sensed in your bathroom. Keep it out at room temperature for several hours; ideally, it should be left overnight.
Like any other smell or odour, the smell of sewage in the bathroom can be absorbed by activated charcoal due to its high porosity.
Apart from this, there are some signs when you should not risk your drainage issues. Check here.
When To Call the Plumber?
You should call a plumber or Dript Plumbing Services when a smell of sewage comes out, even after you have tried to sort the problem out yourself. If you experience the smell coming back soon after you refill P-traps or clean drains, there might be a deeper issue, such as a clogged pipe, cracked sewer line or blocked vent stack, which will need the services of a professional.
Failure to take necessary action in the early stages contributes to the development of severe faults and, therefore, expensive repairs.
Conclusion
A sewage smell in bathroom can be frustrating and, at times, even scary, depending on the cause. However, understanding these leading causes and simple remedies will make the bathroom as fresh as a daisy. Such unpleasant smells can be prevented through routine tasks like cleaning using baking soda and vinegar for draining, checking on the P-traps, and using natural odour removers. However, constant odours may be symptoms of intricate plumbing problems that homeowners cannot address.
For professional advice on the plumbing issue and any necessary repairs, feel free to consult with Dript. Our expert personnel can handle any plumbing issue, making your home secure, comfortable, and always smelling fresh. Contact us now for an appointment!
FAQs
Why Does My Bathroom Smell Like Sewage But No Leak?
If you detect a stench and do not observe water leakage, the culprit could be a dry P-trap that locks sewer gases or a blocked vent stack that is pushed back into the house. Damaged or detached toilet gaskets allow sewer gases to enter without water leakage.
Is It Bad To Smell Sewage In The Bathroom?
Well, of course, if your bathroom smells like sewage, that could not be good. The gases are, for instance, hydrogen sulphide, which affects the head, brings about nausea, and is toxic to the respiratory system. It also identifies the plumbing challenges that need repair before they result in even more massive consequences or health challenges.