4 Reasons for a Persistently Unpleasant Bathroom Odour
Posted on: 31 March 2016
Bathrooms can smell bad if the person who last used the toilet either forgot to flush or experienced a particularly nasty bout of gastric distress. However, persistent smells are often caused by sewer gas entering the room through one of the fixtures, and this can be unhealthy as well as unpleasant. If you can't get rid of the smell in your bathroom, it's likely that one of these four problems has developed.
1. Blocked Vent
For your toilet to flush properly, air needs to be able to flow in behind the waste that flows out. If it doesn't, a vacuum occurs. This can cause enough pressure to suck down the water in your P-trap – the U-shaped section below fixture. This means that there will be no barrier between your home and sewer gas. This is why blocked vents, which let air into the system from outside the home, are often the cause of smelly bathrooms.
2. Unused Fixtures
If you have any fixtures that haven't been used for a while, it could simply be that the water in their p-traps has evaporated over time. Remember, not all the water needs to go, just enough to form a gap. If you haven't used a shower or toilet for a while, try running some water down it. Additionally, make sure you plug open pipes while new fixtures are being installed.
3. P-Trap Leaks
Another reason why your P-trap might not keep enough water to block sewer smells is a leak in the trap itself. You might think that this would be easy to spot, but even the smallest leak can cause such a situation, and the water let out is often mistake for split bath or tap water. Take a closer look to check for any signs of damage.
4. Clogged P-Trap
Lastly, you might be facing a clogged P-trap. This is particularly likely when the smell is emanating from a sink or shower since various viscous products often flow down their drains. Clogs tend to develop slowly, so they might not completely block the flow of water straight away. However, the build-up will quickly begin to produce an odour. This means that the problem isn't actually sewer gas, but the smell will be just as unpleasant.
A persistent foul odour is never something you should have to deal with. Luckily, you can call up a plumber to put these issues right if you find that they have occurred. Consider a plumber from a company like Haig & Menzel Contractors Pty Ltd.
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