If you are like most homeowners, you want to have a clean and pleasantly smelling bathroom. However, that is not always the case for your home. If you have a sewer smell emitting from your bathroom, it is a cause for concern. In most cases, those air fresheners will not rid your space of this foul smell. You need to find the source of the smell to keep up the health of your home.
Problems With Sewer Gases
While the foul odor is an assault on your senses, it is not the only problem. If there is a high level of methane gases, it can affect your health and be hazardous to your home. High levels of methane can cause dizziness, headaches, vomiting, and nausea. When it accumulates in an enclosed room, this gas can also be flammable. For that reason, you want to discover the source of the sewer gas as soon as possible.
Causes of Sewer Smells
When you smell those odors in your home, your first place to check is the toilet. There are several other sources for bad smells, including the shower, sink, and drain. Make sure to clean your bathroom thoroughly. If the smell still persists, you need to call in a professional plumber.
Here are a few causes of those bad bathroom smells.
Check the Shower
Daily showers can lead to sediment from hair, shower gels, and dead skin cells. Over a few months, those deposits can clog the drain and cause bad odors. If there are any water clogs, you need to clean your drain. Cleaning is easy, and it can be accomplished with a mixture of white vinegar and boiled water. You can also add baking soda to the drain and allow it to sit for two hours. Make sure to rinse the mixture, and it should eliminate any smells.
P-Trap Is Dried Out
The P-trap is the most common cause of those bathroom odors. You can find the P-trap under the U-shaped pipe in your sink. There is a small amount of water trapped in this component. That water will prevent sewer gases from seeping into your bathroom.
Some P-traps can become dried out, and that barrier is no longer stopping the sewer gases. You can quickly fix this problem in your home. If you want to add water to your P-trap, open up your trap and let the water flow for about 10 minutes. You might want to pour some baking soda into the drain. There are times when the P-trap is cracked, and it will need to be replaced.
Wax Ring Problems
The wax ring plays an important role in your bathroom. It creates a seal between the drain pipe and the toilet. However, the wax ring can be damaged with daily use. If your toilet is leaking, you will notice water on the floor. As a result, you will probably smell a foul odor in your bathroom. The wax ring prevents sewer gases from entering your room. You can easily replace the ring, but you need to empty the toilet before removing this component.
If the wax ring has severe damage, you might need to scrape it from the floor. It is vital to wear gloves and use cleaning products to remove all the wax from your surfaces. After you have finished, add the new wax ring into place.
Odors From the Sink
You might think that the bad smell is from your toilet, but the odor can come from the sink. In most cases, the sink’s pipes are clogged, and the P-trap is dried out. If you do not use your sink on a regular basis, mildew and grime can build up. In turn, your bathroom will have a strong smell. You can solve these issues by cleaning your sink with a brush. Commercial cleaning products are another solution for your sink. You will want to let the solution sit for a few minutes and then wash your sink with hot water.
Issues With the Water Heater
Your water heater might be causing the smell in your bathroom. If you don’t turn on your water heater, there could be a high concentration of bacterial colonies in this component. This specific smell is similar to rotten eggs. You can solve the problem by turning the water to the maximum temperature. After that, you want to flush your water heater to get rid of all these bacteria. You can repeat this process several times. However, if the smell does not dissipate, you might need to purchase a new water heater.
Water Odors
If all else fails, it might be an issue with your water. In some parts of the country, the water has a sulfur smell. This smell is the result of high levels of hydrogen sulfide. When you have a strange smell from the water, you want to get it inspected by a professional plumber. You might notice that the smell comes and goes, but that doesn’t mean that the problem is gone. In those cases, you should send a water sample for testing.
Any amount of hydrogen sulfide can cause problems for your health. You can experience loss of appetite, headaches, and pneumonia. After a period of time, you will become less sensitive to these harmful chemicals. However, the hazard is not removed from your home’s water. In any case, you want to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
Call a Professional Plumber
For the most part, you can resolve these foul-smelling odors by yourself. However, if nothing has rid your bathroom of the sewer smell, it might be time to call a professional plumber. With severe problems, a professional solution is the only way to get rid of these issues. Sewer backups can be tricky to resolve, and the foul smell might be a sign of a more severe problem.
These backups are often due to flooding. Tree roots and pipe damage can also block the pipes in your home. An accumulation of debris also causes blockages. Whatever the case, the water does not flow freely through your pipes. As a result, damage can occur to your water lines. If you think you have sewage issues in your home, it is crucial to call a plumber. You don’t want to wait and create bigger problems with your water pipes.
Don’t Ignore These Smells
You should not ignore bathroom sewage smells. Not only does it create an unpleasant atmosphere in your bathroom, but it can affect your home. In some cases, it can be dangerous. You can always clean your drains, remove any debris, and replace some components. However, if that does not work, you will want to ask for help from an expert plumber.
We Can Help With Your Home’s Needs
JW Plumbing, Heating and Air has proudly served the Los Angeles area for over 30 years. We can help you find the source of those nasty smells in your bathroom. Along with plumbing services, we have licensed technicians who can handle any issues with your HVAC systems, including repairs, maintenance, and installations. Our team has experience with mini-split systems, indoor air quality testing, and heat pumps. Whatever service you need for your home, you can count on our exceptional customer service. If you want to schedule a comfort service in your Los Angeles home, make sure to contact the team at JW Plumbing, Heating and Air.
Business Hours
Quicklinks
