Do you have a toilet or bathroom that smells like sewer? This can be terribly embarrassing, especially when you have visitors. Let’s take a look below at what the causes of this might be.
Common Causes of Sewer Smells Inside Toilets
No matter how much the toilet is cleaned or what type of cleaning products and chemicals are used, there is still a foul odour coming from the toilet. In fact, it smells just like a sewer.
Unfortunately, no amount of cleaning is going to get rid of that nasty smell. There are however a number of different issues that could be the source of the smell. We cover these below:
- Sewer gas returning from a vent pipe
- A dry p-trap
- Clogged or blocked drains
- Sewerage seeping into the toilet
- Damaged or broken wax seal
Some of these issues have simpler solutions than others. However, it is always recommended to call a plumber to diagnose a clogged sewer line and resolve a problem if you have a toilet that smells like a sewer.
1. Dry P-Trap
The p-trap is the curvy pipe behind the toilet that drains the water and effluent out of the toilet bowl. A toilet that is not used often or a p-trap that is leaking can dry out resulting in a bad smell. Simply flushing the toilet regularly can help resolve the problem in a toilet that is seldom used. However, if there is a leak or damage to the p-trap, call a plumber to replace or repair it.
2. Damaged Wax Seal
The wax seal is found on the drainage pipe and is there to prevent water and effluent from leaking out.
The seal is however quite fragile and likely to deteriorate or become damaged after a period of time. If this is the issue, it is best to contact a plumber to replace the wax.
3. Blockages
There are many different places where a blockage can occur in a toilet resulting in the smell of sewerage. A toilet that is draining slowly is a clear sign that there is a blockage.
However, even toilets that seem to be draining properly may have a small blockage that is resulting in a foul smell.
If you cannot resolve the blockage or the sewer smell remains, hire a plumber to find the blockage and expertly unclog the toilet.
4. Blocked Vent
Most people are unaware that a toilet has a vent stack that is there to filter out bad odours and sewer gas. This is because the vent stack is normally located inside the wall behind the toilet. A vent stack that is blocked will result in the sewer gas building up in the pipe and then flowing back into the toilet bowl. This is one of the most common reasons for a toilet or bathroom that smells like a sewer.
It can be tricky to unblock a vent stack and it is not recommended to do this without professional assistance from a plumber.
5. Sewerage Seepage
A toilet that is not functioning properly can allow sewerage to seep back into the drains of the toilet or even the toilet bowl. This sewerage contains bacteria that is responsible for creating that bad odour smell.
Even if you don’t notice the sewerage, bad bacteria may be present. Flushing the entire system with bleach should eliminate the problem. Pour concentrated bleach into the overflow pipe and the flushing valve and then flush the toilet to release it into the system. If this does not resolve the problem, call a plumber.
It can be difficult to determine which of the above-mentioned issues may be causing the toilet to smell like a sewer and it may take some trial and error to accurately identify and solve the problem.
Expert plumbers have the experience and the know-how to diagnose plumbing problems quickly and effectively as well as find the best solution for each problem.
Organise a Sewer Inspection
When you have a sewer emergency, work with a team you can rely on. If you’re experiencing a bad smell in your toilet or bathroom, Austest Pipeline Solutions are here to help. We have all the plumbing and sewer inspection equipment to help you whenever you need us.
For all sewer drain inspections with stubborn sewage smell, get in touch with Austest Popeline solutions today.