There may be times when your bathroom smells terrible. Nobody's been in there for a while, but it still smells awful. Scented candles and air fresheners can help mask offensive odors, but if it’s the stench of sewer gas, it signals a problem that requires immediate resolution. During a home inspection, our HomePro Inspections professionals will record any odors they detect and include this information in your home inspection report.
The Usual Suspects
· The toilet
· The sink drain
· The shower drain
· The bathtub drain
· The hydromassage tub
· Plumbing vents
· Crazy Uncle Harland (just kidding, but sometimes he visits).
Inspecting these areas can help narrow down the culprit and give you a place to start. It’s important that you address sewer gases promptly; don’t ignore these smells.
You may have a more significant issue if you notice smells and gurgling noises in your sink or toilet drains.
Understanding Why This is Important
Nobody wants to smell sewer gases in their home. If you smell sewer gases, there is typically an issue with the drain or a vent pipe, damaged or broken seals, or buildup in the overflow of a sink. If you have thoroughly inspected and evaluated “the usual suspects” but can’t find the cause, you may need to call a professional.
Some Potential Causes of Sewer Gas Odors
The Toilet
If you inspect your toilet and find water pooling around the base, you could have a broken or damaged seal. A broken seal could allow sewer gases to escape into the room.
A damaged toilet seal on the floor
There is a seal between the toilet and the floor flange. A broken or loose seal could allow sewer gases to enter the home. Leaking water may also result in organic growth, which can cause a foul smell.
Organic growth on sink surfaces
Sink Drain
If there are any kinds of organic growth or buildup, such as films, mold, or mildew, they may smell like sewage. A clogged drain may also be the source of a foul smell. There are a number of commercially available products that can remove gunk from clogged drains. Do your research to ensure you are purchasing the appropriate product to clean up these issues.
Bad odors can occur if the P-trap or an S-trap in your sink is dry, dirty, or missing. The P-trap is designed to hold water. If you don’t use a sink for a long time, the water may evaporate from the P-trap, allowing sewer gases to enter the room. Simply run some water down the drain to allow the P-trap to fill. Dirty traps can also result in sewer gases escaping. If there is no trap at your sink, install one to contain sewer gases.
Your bathroom sink may have an S-trap if you live in a very old house. S-traps, by nature, can sometimes siphon some or all the water out of the trap when draining.
A clogged shower drain can result in sewer smells
Shower and Bathtub Drains
When we shower, dirt from our bodies can accumulate in the corners and surfaces of our shower pans. Sometimes, you'll see an orangish or pinkish film in your shower. This is organic growth and can result in sewage smells. To keep these films from accumulating, sprays are available that you can use to treat your shower daily or weekly. Much like the bathroom sink, hair and scum can clog a shower or bathtub drain. Dirty traps can also result in sewer gases escaping.
Jacuzzi® or Hydromassage Tub
These spa-type tubs have a system of pipes and valves that allow water and air to be forced through the tub water. Removing all the water from these lines when the tub is drained is difficult. Water that remains can lead to organic growth within the lines, potentially causing unpleasant odors. When you use your hydromassage tub after it has been sitting for a long time, you may notice bits of gunk or black flakes circulating in the water. These are fragments of organic debris that have been dislodged by the force of the water. You can use a commercially available cleaner to help keep your hydromassage tub free of organic growth.
Plumbing Vents
Plumbing vents facilitate the backflow of air into your plumbing drain system and the venting of sewer gases to the exterior of your home. Improperly installed or blocked vents will not allow the sewer gases out and may result in gurgling at your sinks or toilets. Plumbing vents allow water to flow smoothly through your drain system and vent the sewer gases out of your home.
In some cases, such as renovations or very old homes, air admittance valves may be used. You may find an air admittance valve underneath your sink or venting to an attic space. As with anything mechanical, these can also fail over time. Improperly installed air admittance valves can result in sewer gases entering your home through drains.
Summary
If the recommendations above do not solve your sewer gas problems, you may have to call a professional. Ignoring sewer gas smells can result in bigger issues down the road, so you will want to investigate and act sooner rather than later.
As part of a home inspection, our inspectors will inspect the visual components of your plumbing system and check for any unpleasant smells. Any issues found will be documented in your home inspection report.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN, area. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942, send us an email, or use our online “Schedule Now” feature to schedule an appointment.