Why there is a sewer smell in the bathroom and how to eliminate it

Toilet odor removers

Before finding out the cause of the sewer smell in the bathroom and repairing the breakdown, it is recommended to use special household products that will temporarily eliminate the unpleasant odor:

• Refreshing air automatic aroma dispenser or aerosol.
• Sticker strips or blocks that are attached to the toilet.
• Flavored tablets for the toilet cistern.

For a country house and a summer residence, special products are used to care for country toilet bowls and cesspools.

The preparations contain bacteria that help to quickly process all the contents of the toilet, eliminating the unpleasant smell of the sewer. The most commonly used brands are: Saneks, Bioforce Septic, Septic Shock.

No. 1 - microspray and aroma dispenser

Both tools are attached to the wall of the bathroom. Their difference is that the microspray gives out the aroma after pressing it, and the aroma dispenser releases it automatically during the day. In this case, the aroma is served after a certain period of time and in a dosed amount. Popular brands include Glade, Airwick.

The automatic aroma dispenser is a universal tool that can eliminate unpleasant odors of any origin, but only for a while

An alternative option is a helium air freshener. It can be attached to the wall of the bathroom or placed on a shelf. It deodorizes the room with pleasant aromas for 60 days.

All of the above remedies superficially and temporarily solve the problem of an unpleasant sewer smell in the toilet, but they are not able to kill germs, remove pollution and eliminate the cause of the stench.

No. 2 - flavored tablets for the tank

An effective remedy to get rid of sewer odor is flavored tablets. They sink into the toilet bowl.

After each descent of water, the tablet refreshes the bathroom with a pleasant aroma, effectively disinfects it and prevents the appearance of urinary stone and rust on the walls of the toilet bowl.

The advantages of flavored tablets over alternative means are the possibility of reusable use, the performance of several functions at the same time and an acceptable price.

Flavored tablets used in the toilet cistern can turn the water green or blue.

In the modern market of household chemicals, high-quality products of trademarks are especially popular: Svezhinka, Rio, Snowter, Bloo, Liaara.

No. 3 - sticker strips and blocks

To eliminate odors in the toilet, blocks and sticker strips that are glued to the toilet are often used. They deodorize the air and have antiseptic properties, helping to fight harmful bacteria. In contact with water, they provide a pleasant freshness in the room.

The most popular sticker strips are Domestos and Toilet duck. They are designed for long-term action - approximately 450 contacts with water.

Hanging blocks with a refreshing gel are effective in combating unpleasant odors. They perform several functions at once: deodorize the air, wash and disinfect the toilet. The blocks are easy to refill and have a capacity of 100 washes. The most popular: Domestos, Bref, Toilet duck.

How to remove the smell from the pipes in the bathroom: ways to eliminate

So, having discovered that the bathroom smells like sewage, we start searching for the source - first you need to make sure that the stench comes directly from the pipes, and not from under the bathtub or from somewhere else. For example, if a water lock was pulled out of the siphon, then this can be felt by the movement of air - it will be drawn into the drain hole

If this does not happen, then we pay attention to the joints of the sewer pipes. It is worth talking about them in more detail.

If you have outdated cast iron - this is one thing, from time to time the tightness of the seams could be broken, and the pipe could rot in some places. Another thing is modern plastic pipes, which, in principle, should not siphon at the seams, unless, of course, they forgot to install a rubber seal in the socket.

Why does the bathroom smell like sewage?

The joints of such pipes could be broken for only one reason - if you are looking for easy ways and clear sewer blockages with a tool called "Mole". Although he copes with his tasks, along with blockages, he corrodes rubber seals. He does this not quickly, but methodically, over and over again depriving the rubber of its elastic properties, as a result of which it simply collapses. In this regard, it is better to use a plunger - fill all plumbing fixtures with water and begin to actively work with this device. Only you need not to push the water, but to suck it out - this way blockages are eliminated more efficiently and faster.

How to clean the sewer with a plunger photo

But back to the question of why the bathroom smells like sewage. Once you have identified the source and root cause of the stench, you can take steps to eliminate it.

The action plan is the following.

1. If the water seal in the bath siphon has disappeared, we contact the local housing office and urgently demand that the local authorities take immediate measures to eliminate the blockage in the sewer riser. At this time, in order to insure against such situations in the future, we ourselves go to a hardware store and purchase a siphon of a different design. Not simple, which is a piece of a pipe bent into an arc, but complex, having an angular design with many nuts - it holds the water seal better, in addition, it is much more convenient to clean it if necessary.
2. Along the way, in order to protect ourselves from this unpleasant phenomenon at 100%, we purchase a cylinder of sanitary silicone and a gun for it. With it, you will have to seal all the joints of the sewer pipes. In a good way, it is better to completely sort out the system and replace all rubber seals - at the same time thoroughly clean the sewer from blockages. There are two types of sealing gaskets for pipes of the drainage system - single-feather and double-feather. The latter seal the joint much more reliably, although it is more difficult to assemble them. Do not be lazy and put just such gaskets.
3. In the case of a cast-iron pipe, the joints are covered with cement diluted with water - you need to knead some kind of plasticine and stick it around all the joints in a circle.

Air valve for sewer ventilation photo

What else can be done in such situations to prevent unpleasant odors from the bathroom pipes in the future? There is such a device for sewage systems as an air valve. In fact, it performs the same function as the fan pipe.It lets air into the sewerage system, but does not release odors back. In principle, if such a device is installed as close as possible to the riser, it will not allow the water seal to be sucked out of the siphon.

Perhaps this is all that can be done so that the smell of sewage in the bathroom does not appear. All these ways of solving this problem are good in combination, otherwise all your actions will become a temporary solution to this issue, and in the near future it will appear again and again.

Leaks in the joints of the bed

Chasing the sockets of the cast-iron sewer leads to the leakage of foul-smelling drains. Lezhnevka is minted due to rotting of the cable (seal of the socket joint - organic fiber impregnated with resin) or due to the displacement of one pipe relative to the other.

The embossed joint of a cast-iron lezhnevka

elimination

The chasing of the joint of a cast-iron lezhnevka is performed as follows:

1. With a hammer and a strong screwdriver, we break the old embedment of the socket (the cable is sealed with a cement-sand mixture);
2. We remove the old cable with a screwdriver;
3. We lay several turns of the cable between the pipe and the socket and seal them with chasing (this tool can be made from a thin steel tube by flattening its end with a hammer) or with the same wide flat screwdriver;

Graphite stuffing box for sealing stems of valves and gate valves

1. We cover the socket with a mixture of sand and cement in a 1: 1 ratio, diluted with water to the consistency of thick sour cream.

Socket connection of cast iron pipes

Why does the bathroom smell like sewage?

There are several reasons for the spread of sewer amber: from a banal clogged pipe to a malfunction of ventilation. Let's dwell on each of them in more detail.

Incorrect installation of the system

If the “aroma” of the sewer began to spread in your new or just renovated housing, then the reason is most likely the incorrect installation of the sewerage network.

In this case, violations often manifest themselves in three ways:

1. The most difficult case is non-compliance with the slope when installing the wiring. Insufficient angle of inclination of the pipeline leads to stagnation of drains. Excessive slope is also bad, as in this case the liquid will quickly evacuate, and larger and heavier waste will stagnate and clog the pipe.
2. Improper installation of the water seal leads to the fact that it does not retain water, which should prevent the penetration of gases from the sewer. Errors in the arrangement of sewer ventilation can also lead to snatching of the water seal when flushing large portions of wastewater.
3. If, when connecting pipelines, the joints were not well sealed, then it is these places that are the source of stench.

Hidden violation of the integrity of the pipes and the accumulation of condensate

Leaks, imperceptible at first glance, are another common cause of stench in the bathroom. Such defects are very difficult to detect, as they can appear in hard-to-reach places, for example, on a pipe section immured in the floor or wall.

In this case, the situation is aggravated if moisture seeps into the ceiling, forming diaper rash, and destroys the wooden elements of the subfloor.

Moistening of floors can also occur when condensate forms on the pipes. This phenomenon is possible if the pipeline passes in places of temperature differences.

As a result, putrefactive bacteria and mold fungi actively develop.

Malfunctions in the water seal

Malfunctions in the operation of a water seal can occur not only as a result of incorrect installation, but also during its operation. Problems appear for several reasons:

• as a result of clogging or freezing of pipes;
• due to the expansion of the corrugated pipe over time;
• due to clogging of the fan pipe, leading to a violation of sewer ventilation and snatching of a water plug when draining water into the riser;

In the latter case, when a large volume of liquid enters, for example, when flushing from a toilet bowl or when a washing machine is running, a characteristic squelching sound can be heard coming from small siphons.

Loss of water from the siphon can occur if the plumbing is not operated for a long time. The liquid will just evaporate.

Insufficient ventilation

In addition to the sewer ventilation riser, the bathroom needs air ventilation, which can be forced and natural. For a bath, air exchange is especially important, as this is a humid room.

The accumulated liquid leads to the development of mold and putrefactive microbes and the spread of an unpleasant odor.

Clogged pipes

Sewer pipes are highways through which contaminated water moves with hair, grease, animal hair, sometimes thick paper and sand that have fallen into it.

Large waste can lead to the formation of an obstruction. Also, during operation, the walls of the pipes become overgrown with plaque, which causes a narrowing of the lumen.

Blockage is not only a source of unpleasant odor in itself, but also disrupts the operation of the entire sewer system, including water seals. And it is in the siphons that the accumulation of contaminants occurs most often.

Smell from washing machine

Sometimes the odor comes from the washing machine, which can develop mold. This is especially common if the technique is used frequently, and for washing, a mode with a temperature of no higher than 30 degrees is almost always chosen.

Sometimes the drain hose is clogged or the operation of the sump pump is disrupted.

Thus, many causes of bad smell in the bathroom are related to each other. In many cases, you can fix them yourself.

Leakage and blockage

Several factors contribute to the spread of the smell of sewerage on the access floors and premises of apartments.

If it is persistently felt in the entrance and apartments on the first floors, this is a sign that it is time to go down to the basement of the house and carefully examine the sewer wiring that was carried out through it. Most often, in the process of this, damage is found in the pipes. Their appearance entails the outflow of effluents. Since the central sewerage service serving an apartment building is most often run by a management company, it makes sense for residents to apply there with a statement to eliminate the leak.

You should not hesitate with this, because due to an accident, dampness forms in the basement, and moisture quickly washes away the wall structures of the house, which leads to their destruction. The service organization decides whether to replace the pipe or (more rarely) to make the damaged area watertight by using welding and other necessary equipment. After the complete completion of emergency work, the premises of the house basement must be well ventilated.

The smell from sewer drains can occur if residents use the central sewer improperly, as a result of which it becomes clogged.The actions of people living in the house in this situation are similar: an immediate call for help from representatives of the organization serving the sewer networks of the house. Problems are solved by breaking through the created garbage "congestion" with specialized equipment or (if this method cannot be used) by replacing the problematic section of the pipe.

Eliminate bad odor

After the causes of the darling are found, eliminating the smell is only a technical task. Let's figure out how to get rid of each problem separately.

Correction of ventilation

First, make sure that the smell of sewage in the bathroom comes from here: bring a lit match or lighter to the vent. Has the flame gone out or changed direction towards the duct? Ventilation is fine! Nothing happened? Let's move on to point number 2.

If the apartment is located in an old housing stock (especially for low-rise buildings before the 80s), start with a complete cleaning of the exit. Often, fragments of stones, dust and dirt accumulate there - their removal can solve the problem with air outflow.

To remove the unpleasant odor for sure and never again think about problems with air circulation, experts advise installing a forced ventilation system. To do this, electricity is supplied to the outlet and a fan is installed, which can be turned on together with the main light or have an independent electric drive.

See installation instructions for forced ventilation:

Joint sealing

Determining the source of sewer odor due to small cracks or loss of joint insulation is not an easy task.The only way to understand where the stench comes from is to connect your sense of smell and examine all the sewer pipes in the bathroom. Risers, junction of the drain pipe (if the bathroom is combined with a toilet), a system for draining the bathtub, shower cabin and sink.

If the cause is found, the section is completely changed or, at a minimum, the gaskets are updated. Still not sure where the smell comes from? Go through all the doubtful places with sealant - perhaps this will help correct the situation.

For more sealing tips, see the video:

Mechanical

To do this, use a cable, plunger or other specially designed devices. There are also methods with a film - they work on the principle of a plunger, when the blockage is cleared with a vacuum.

The toilet bowl is recommended to be cleaned in case of violation of the conditions of use: washing off hygiene products, rags, towels, garbage. The bathroom drain is usually clogged with hair, which is easiest to remove with a special cable.

Chemical

In this case, a special agent must be poured or poured into the drain, wait for the time indicated on the package, rinse with water. The chemistry literally dissolves the plug and clears the blockage without a vacuum or plumbing cable.

The most popular means:

• Tiret. The main component - chlorine, getting into the sewer, disinfects and removes debris. Additional surfactants fight fat, so it is effective not only in the bathroom, but also in the kitchen. 250 ml of gel is poured into the drain, wait 20 minutes and rinse with boiling water.
• Mole. The active ingredient is sodium hydroxide. The method of application is the same: pour 250 ml, wait 1-2 hours (depending on the severity of the blockage), rinse with warm running water.

There are also special products that dissolve hair, with a disinfectant effect, etc.

A plumber will tell you about cleaning a strong blockage:

Why does the bathroom smell like sewage, how to get rid of the smell

Bathroom features

The bath is connected to the general sewerage by a flexible pipe. It should be curved and have a drop sufficient to ensure that dirty water does not return. This tube should also have a water seal (as in the photo), which will protect you from the problem when the bathroom smells like sewage. If the obstacle in the form of a water plug disappears, the unpleasant smell gets unhindered access to the bathroom.

Most often, the reason why the sewer smells in the bathroom is violations in the connections of sewer pipes with bathrooms or errors made during installation. An unpleasant odor often occurs in rooms where the rules for operating the system are violated or there are problems with the water seal.

A washing machine is often installed in the bathroom.

It is important to properly tap the drain hose. In addition, there is a ventilation hole in the bathroom, through which fresh air is supplied.

The cause of the trouble may be hiding in the ventilation duct.

Disturbed air circulation

Ventilation in the bathroom is needed not only to eliminate the smell, but also to dry the air. Therefore, if the bathroom smells like sewage, you need to check the condition of the ventilation system - if it does not work well, then the smell may appear due to excessive humidity. In addition, high humidity can lead to mold growth.

Why it smells like sewage - the occurrence of a blockage

Another reason why the sewer in the bathroom smells is the formation of a blockage. Dirt, grease, hair collects on the walls of the pipes. Therefore, they must be cleaned periodically.

The tube must be returned to its normal position and fixed with a special mount at the required height. In order for the water seal to work again, it is necessary to pass water into the pipe. The flask-shaped siphon should be disassembled and washed. If the bathroom has not been used for a long time, it is enough to drain the water down the drain. In case of a serious blockage, you can use special chemicals for cleaning pipes or a plumbing cable.

Plaque on pipes - stinks of sewage in the bathroom

Deposits in sewer pipes can also cause bad odors. Because of them, the internal clearance of the pipes and the operation of the water seal are reduced. In this case, it is necessary to clean the sewer. Especially often this problem occurs in cast iron pipes.

Incorrect pipe selection and installation errors

A common reason why the smell of sewage in the bathroom is observed immediately after repair is the wrong choice of components and mistakes made during installation.

Also, a washing machine can be a source of an unpleasant odor if the drain hose tie-in comes after the water seal. In this case, an unpleasant odor goes through the washing drum.

Condensation and leaks

If all of these methods did not help and it is still not clear how to get rid of the sewer smell in the bathroom, then the possibility of leaks and accumulations of condensate should not be ruled out. Water can rot and give off an unpleasant odor. Drops can fall from the water heater, taps.It is necessary to check whether water gets into the laundry basket, onto the shelves with cosmetics.

Leaks can also form in hard-to-reach places - under the washing machine, sink, behind the bathroom. In addition to the appearance of an unpleasant odor, water will eventually destroy the floor covering, interfloor ceiling, and the ceiling of the neighbors from below.

In order to avoid the occurrence of such a nuisance in the future, you need to regularly clean the pipes, monitor the state of ventilation, and keep the bathroom clean. Of course, this cannot completely eliminate the possibility of an odor, since this often happens through no fault of the apartment owners, but it will significantly reduce it.

How to eliminate sewer odor

To get rid of this problem, identify and eliminate the cause of its occurrence.

Repair of engineering networks

Cleaning the sewer pipe with a cable.

1. Refurbishment of the pipeline. New elements are laid, creating a slope prescribed by sanitary standards. Unreliable connections are treated with sealant, new seals are installed.
2. Elimination of blockage of the general sewer riser. In apartment buildings, this problem is solved by utilities.
3. Elimination of pipe damage. The hole in the metal pipe is closed with a cement mixture. The joints between the plastic elements are covered with sealant.
4. Replacement of old cuffs. Before installing a new part, the socket is freed from contamination and traces of corrosion. The cuff is coated with silicone sealant.
5. Processing the joint of the toilet pipe with a cast-iron sewer pipe. To do this, the corrugation is disconnected, cleaned and degreased. After reconnecting the part, the joint is treated with a sealant.
6. Siphon inspection.When placing a plumbing fixture, the corrugated hose may not be given the required bend, due to which a water seal is not formed. The desired shape of the pipe is achieved by hand. So the water lingers in the tube and does not let in fetid gases. After using the bath or shower, insert a plug into the drain hole.

Cleaning sewer lines with a grease trap

The grease trap consists of 2 components:

1. primary filter. Effluent discharged from the sink is fed into the container. Here they are cleaned of large particles of dirt.
2. secondary filter. Here fat particles are removed, purified water is drained into the sewer pipe.

Cleaning plumbing

You can remove the blockage from the siphon by disassembling the structure and washing its parts. This will help eliminate decaying waste that spreads unpleasant odors.

To clean the drain pipes of the sink and bathroom, you can use both chemicals and special equipment.

Cleaning the sink with boiling water

To clean the sink, follow these steps:

1. The sink is washed and dried with a sponge.
2. The drain device is washed with 5-10 liters of hot water. If the liquid goes into the sewer pipe slowly, the action is repeated.

Cleaning plumbing with baking soda and vinegar

If the pipes smell like sewage, you can try cleaning the drain system with baking soda and vinegar. These products remove contaminants that prevent water from flowing. 100 g of soda and half a glass of vinegar are injected into the neck of the siphon. The drain is closed with a rubber stopper or rags. The composition is kept in the drain device for 5-6 hours for the complete convergence of fatty deposits.The drain device is washed with a bucket of boiling water.

Salt, soda and cream of tartar to clean the drain

To clean the sewer system in this way, mix 1 tbsp. l. salt, the same amount of soda and 0.5 cups of cream of tartar. The composition is introduced into the waste channel, after which a glass of hot water is poured. After 2-3 minutes, rinse with running water.

Household chemicals

To eliminate the smell of sewage, acidic or alkaline compounds can be used. Mole and Tiret are considered the most effective. The required volume of liquid or powder is introduced into the waste hole, topped up with 0.5 liters of water. After half an hour, 15-20 liters of water are poured into the neck of the siphon.

Devices for dealing with blockages

Chemical products sometimes do not cope with persistent blockages. Pollution is removed with a plunger or a steel cable. In the second case, the toilet is disconnected from the sewer system.

Then they perform the following actions:

1. The tip of the cable is inserted into the pipe and the device begins to turn, moving it further. If a traffic jam appears on the way, the direction of rotation is changed. The cable is removed and washed.
2. The toilet is connected to the pipe, the siphons are returned to their place. 3-4 buckets of boiling water are poured into the drain holes.

The end of the cable is equipped with a spiral, on which you can put on a ruff, scraper or hook. The second side of the device is bent to form a handle.

Ways to get rid of sewer smell

The first thing that the owners of the apartment should do is to establish the cause of the unpleasant smell. If the problem is in the installation, then you should contact the professionals. If the reason lies in the malfunction of the hood or the depressurization of the pipes, you can try to fix the problem yourself.

Professional

A person must soberly assess his own abilities. If there is no desire or skills to engage in such work, it is better to contact a professional workshop, where they will definitely help solve the problem of unpleasant amber throughout the apartment.

There are several situations when the help of a plumber is needed:

• improper installation (violations during the installation of plumbing and ventilation can lead to the spread of a terrifying “aroma”, you will have to completely redo the system);
• lack of proper exhaust (it is very easy to check, just attach a sheet of paper to the grate of the ventilation shaft - it should be attracted by air flows).

If the owners decide to change the old system to a new one, it is better to entrust the work to professionals. This will give strong confidence in the quality and durability of the work done.

Folk

If the cause of the stink is a clogged drain, leaking pipes, or other simple problems, you can deal with them yourself using folk methods. There are quite a few of them, and each hostess can choose the right one for herself specifically.

First you need to establish the location of the blockage. This can be done by checking the drain in the bathroom, sink, toilet. Only after that it is recommended to take up cleaning products, including folk ones.

Our grandparents, mothers and fathers did not have the opportunity to use expensive cleaning products and used improvised products to effectively clean the bath from blockages:

• table salt (just pour a large amount of salt into the drain pipe, and after a couple of hours rinse with a stream of hot water);
• table vinegar + baking soda (for cleansing, you will need 5-6 tablespoons of baking soda, which are also poured into the drainpipe of the bath, then in a thin stream, trying not to damage the enamel, pour table vinegar; closing the drain with a cork, leave it overnight; in the morning it will be enough to rinse draining with plenty of warm water);
• Alka-Seltzer tablets (effervescent tablets are dipped directly into the drain pipe and table vinegar is poured in a thin stream, two minutes is enough for the dirt to be easily removed; rinse with plenty of warm water).

The slightest doubt in one's own abilities should be the reason for inviting a professional plumber. Only an experienced master is able to give a guarantee of getting rid of the sewer smell in the apartment.

Where does the smell of sewage in the apartment come from?

Before dealing with a specific "aroma" in housing, it is necessary to establish the causes of its appearance.

They may be:

water seal problems. This is a layer of water, a kind of "cork" in the siphons of sinks and sinks, toilet knees. If it is not there, the smell from the sewer freely penetrates into the room, the so-called “reverse throw” of gases occurs. The absence of a water seal is usually the result of improper installation or a long period of inactivity of the device. Gas can also enter the room when the water level is too low;

clogging of the siphon and / or pipes leading to it. At the same time, dirt accumulates on the walls, a sticky coating that exudes an unpleasant odor. If we add to this the periodic "breakthroughs" of gas with a poorly functioning water seal - the "ambergris" in housing will be impressive

It is important to understand: clogging significantly impairs the operation of the water seal, so the risk of a breakthrough increases;

incorrect installation of plumbing devices. The irregularity may relate to the level of the drain pipes in relation to the sewer riser / bed and the drain point of the device, the angle of inclination of the pipeline, the bend of the corrugation, and so on.

This issue will be discussed in more detail below;
leaks in the sewer system. At the same time, polluted sewage gets on the floor / walls / even the ceiling (due to leakage from the neighbors from above) and exudes a disease-causing and simply unpleasant miasma. When communications are closed by panels or built into the main walls, it is not easy to notice leaks;

excess pressure in the sewer. Sometimes it happens that the gas pressure in the fan pipes exceeds atmospheric pressure, in which case the gases break through the water seal in portions, in the form of bubbles;
Finally, do not forget about the most banal reason - insufficient care for plumbing fixtures. Remains of faeces or urine on the walls of the toilet, poorly cleaned sinks and sinks can also cause extremely unpleasant odors.

Having considered the main causes of unpleasant odors in housing, we will try to figure out how to eliminate and prevent them.