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The bathroom is one of the most sensitive parts of the house. Every homeowner will go to great lengths to ensure that their bathroom is clean and smelling fresh. However, even with the best care, a shower room may experience problems outside the homeowner’s reach, like a sewerage smell from the bathroom drains.
Aside from the odor, sewage gases offer a severe health danger to your family and should be treated quickly. Fortunately, some solutions are simple and can be done by oneself. Here are the most prevalent reasons for sewage stench in the bathroom and easy ways to eradicate the issue.
1. Dry P-trap
A dry P-trap is one of the most prevalent sources of sewage odor in your bathroom. The P-trap is a U-shaped pipe installed under the sink or drains. It traps water behind the gutter, preventing sewage odors from entering the bathroom. If you do not use your bathroom sinks regularly, the water in the P-trap may dry up, enabling sewage gases to flow freely into your toilet.
The solution to this issue is straightforward. Running water into the sink for a minute or two will solve the problem. Add a little baking soda to the drains to eliminate the potential for clogging.
2. Shower Drain Clogs
Shower drain clogs may be caused by soap, shower gel, dead skin, hair, and other types of debris. You may have a plugged shower drain if you detect a sewage odor in your bathroom and minor flooding while taking showers.
Solving this problem is relatively easy, and you can do it yourself. However, it can be messy. If you don’t like getting your hands dirty, call a professional to fix it. If you choose to do it yourself, you need to do this. First, unscrew the shower drain cover. Pour a mixture of vinegar and hot water slowly into the drain in a continuous stream and then add 1 cup of baking soda and let it sit for two or more hours.
This procedure should be enough to release the deposits. Then, using a drain brush, remove any solid stuff that may have been lodged in the drain before running clean water for a few minutes. After that, screw the drain cap into place.
3. Damaged Toilet
Your toilet may get broken over time due to wear and tear, which may be the source of sewer gas escaping into your bathroom. When the wax sealing at the base of your toilet becomes loose, microscopic breaches form, allowing stinky sewage gas to escape into your bathroom.
Additionally, small cracks in your toilet bowl can cause water leaks resulting in a drop in water levels in your toilet’s P-trap. Low water levels in the P-trap might allow sewage gases into your bathroom, causing an unpleasant smell. If you are experiencing such an issue, it would be best to call an expert to fix the problem.
4. Broken, Clogged or Poorly Installed Vent Pipes
The vent pipe is your sewerage system’s breather. When it gets clogged, the sewer gases can back up into the sinks and the toilet, resulting in your bathroom’s sewage smells. You may experience a bubbling sound coming from the toilet or the drain as sewer gas forces its way into the bathroom.
Poor installation or blockages produced by solid items that make their way into the vents are two possible reasons for clogged vent pipes. Check the flue for any clogs, remove them if feasible, or bring in an expert to handle the issue.
5. Bacteria Build-up
The sewage system is an ideal breeding ground for hazardous bacteria, which may enter your bathroom and increase beneath the toilet bowl, ultimately becoming the cause of unpleasant odors. This is particularly prevalent in warmer weather, when germs proliferate quickly.
Bleach may be a powerful tool for preventing bacterial development. However, more than swishing bleach around the toilet bowl will be required. It is feasible to eliminate the threat by pouring bleach into the flush tank and flushing the toilet many times.
6. Full Septic Tank
If your drainage system is linked to a septic tank in your complex and you detect a sewage odor in your bathroom, your septic tank may be full. When your septic tank is complete, you will notice more than just the sewage stench. You may see bubbling noises from the toilet and drains, and your bathroom may become slow.
The remedy to a full septic tank is simple: drain it. It is a good idea to check your septic tank levels frequently to prevent being caught off guard by a full tank.
7. Sewer Backups
If you experience a sewer smell after heavy rainfall, it could result from sewer backup. During heavy rains, the excess runoff water piles pressure on the city’s sewer system, causing a sewer’s backflow into individual lines. The backflow may cause the sewage to back up into homes. However, when the pressure is not as high, the sewerage may not flow back into the home but may push the sewage gases trapped in your lines back into the house, explaining the sewer smell in your house.
In such a circumstance, you have little control over the situation. Your only choice may be to wait it out. Installing a backflow valve in your sewage pipes may prevent sewer water from backing up into your house in the future.
Final Thoughts
One of the holiest areas of the house is the bathroom. However, a sewage odor might disrupt the peace. A sewage stench in your bathroom is not only dangerous to your health; it may also be embarrassing. As a result, you must address the problem as soon as possible.
If you have tried all the above do-it-yourself fixes and the problem doesn’t seem to go away, it may be time to call in an expert. At Gallagher’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning, we have a team of highly qualified and licensed plumbers who will help you identify and fix the sewage smell problems in your bathroom. Our experts have the necessary tools, technical know-how, and industry experience to handle the situation, saving you the stress associated with sewerage odors in your home.
We also provide:
- Heating and cooling services.
- Indoor air quality solutions.
- Water heaters.
- Water purifying systems.
