Why Does My Bathroom Smell Like Sewage

Imagine walking into your bathroom for a shower and you are met with a pungent smell of sewage. You scrub the bathroom to get rid of the smell, but it still doesn’t stop the odour. You try using air fresheners to eliminate the sewage smell, but the odour keeps coming back. Several things can cause your bathroom to smell like a sewer. The first step to eliminating this sewage odour from your bathroom is to learn the causes. Here are some possible causes of the irritating sewage odour in your bathroom.

Bathroom Clogs

The sewage smell in your bathroom could be due to clogged drains. Sometimes toilets clog when you flush down inappropriate items, such as baby wipes or sanitary wears. Consequently, you notice sewage odours in your bathroom due to the clog. A plunger can quickly eliminate a simple clog. However, if it’s unable to do the magic, the clog could be too hard. Therefore, consider hiring an experienced and certified plumber to unclog the toilet drains to eliminate the sewage smell.

Water in the P-Trap Pipe Has Evaporated

The sewer gas smell in your bathroom could be due to drains in your home that have not been used in a long time or are less frequently used. For instance, large floor drains in your basement or your guest bathroom drain could explain the sewage smell in your bathroom. The p-trap pipe holds water to seal the drains and prevent sewer gases from escaping into the house. The pipe’s shape allows water to flow into a drainpipe without flowing backwards towards a sink or toilet. The seal gets lost when water evaporates, and leaks and a sewage odour will ensue. You can prevent sewage odours from a dried p-trap by maintaining your plumbing system regularly and running water down drains you don’t use frequently.

Cut or Improperly Installed Vent Pipe

A cut or poorly installed cut vent pipe could be the cause of sewer smells in your bathroom. Vent pipes are designed to send gas smells from your home so that you don’t smell them. However, if a contractor fails to install the pipes in the right place, you may start noticing the odours because there’s nothing to send them outside the home. You can tell that a cut or improperly installed cut vent is the cause if you notice the odours from the wall. A cracked vent pipe allows sewage gas odours to spill out and get to your bathroom. To discover a cut or cracked vent pipe, contact a plumber for inspections. The plumbing expert will use a smoke machine to locate the leak and repair it.

Bad Bacteria

A lot of harmful bacteria go on in your home’s sewer system. When the stinky microorganisms find their way up the toilet, they cling to the toilet bowl and multiply. It’s a common occurrence during hot and humid conditions that encourage the breeding of bacteria. Consequently, you may start noticing sewer gases in your bathroom when the harmful bacteria multiply on the toilet bowl. Fortunately, you can get rid of the sewer smell and harmful bacteria by cleaning your toilet bowl. Ensure that you pour bleach into the flush valve or overflow pipe to eliminate the harmful bacteria hidden in the system.

Cold Weather

Icy weather conditions can cause a sewer door in your bathroom. Ice storms and ice can accumulate around venting areas that trap smells inside. The solution would be to pay attention to these areas and check for ice. You can pour warm water around the vents to melt the ice blockages or insulate pipes. Talk to a licensed plumber in Sydney for effective solutions during the cold months to eliminate sewer smells in your house.

Leaky Wax Ring Seal

Plumbers seal the toilet drain using a wax ring. A faulty or leaky wax ring seal in one or more toilets in your house could be the cause of the sewer odours in your bathroom. When the wax ring starts deteriorating, the space between the ring and your toilet allows sewer gas into your bathroom. A telltale sign of a leaky or deteriorating toilet wax ring is a slightly slanted or wobbly toilet. You can eliminate the odours by replacing the leaky wax ring.

A Shower Drain

Sediment from shower gels, dead skin cells, and hair can form due to daily showering. The sediments might clog your shower drains over time, causing slow water leak and sewer odours. It’s time to clean your shower drain if your feet remain in the water after showering. It would be wise to contact a licensed plumber to eliminate the sediments in the shower drain. It would also be wise to regularly clean shower drains and comb your hair before a shower to prevent sediment formation and sewer odours in your bathroom.

Full Septic Tank

A full septic tank is a common cause of sewer odours in your bathroom. You can tell that it’s the reason if you notice signs, such as a sluggish toilet, a washing machine running slower than usual, and gargling noises from your sinks. Failure to clean septic tanks often can cause sewage overflow and odours in your bathroom. You can eliminate the sewer smell by emptying your septic tank at least once every two years, depending on your family size and tank’s size. Regular maintenance can also help in preventing bathroom sewer smells.

Blocked Sewer Line

Sometimes the blockage starts from the sewer line. One obvious sign is a strong sewer smell and slow bathroom drains. You might even notice sewer backing up into your plumbing fixtures. The earlier signs of a blocked sewer line are similar to those of a blocked vent pipe. Some common causes of blocked sewer lines may include tree roots, collapsed sewer line, and lose or leaky joints between sewer pipes. It would be best to call in a plumber to fix the issue with your sewer line and eliminate the annoying sewer odour.

Overflow Buildup

Another cause of sewer gas smell in the bathroom is a sink overflow buildup. Sinks have an overflow mechanism to offer relief when it overfills. However, grime might build up over time, causing a whiff. If that happens, consider cleaning up your sink overflow thoroughly to resolve the smell. It would be best to hire a professional plumber for a full drain clean-up.

Inadequate Ventilation

Sometimes the sewer gas smell in your bathroom has nothing to do with your plumbing system. Bathrooms are a humid environment with a lot of moisture that can encourage mould growth. Therefore, you’re likely to smell sewer gas odours if you don’t ventilate your bathroom adequately. The room requires adequate airflow to get rid of moisture that helps in mould growth and smelly mould.

Toilet Damage

Wear and tear on the toilet can also cause sewer gas in bathrooms. Hidden toilet cracks could allow sewer gas due to leaks, and a drop in the water level can cause bad smells to seep into your bathroom.

It’s possible to eliminate the sources of sewer gas smells in your bathroom. We can help you determine the source of the sewer odours and fix the issue. We also specialize in leak repairs, gas fitting and installation, burst pipe repairs, VIP maintenance program, and drain relining. Are you struggling with sewer odours in your bathroom? Sydney residents can contact Reactive Plumbing and schedule an appointment with our professionals today!