Why Does My Bathroom Smell Like the Sewer?

My bathroom smells terrible! If this sounds like you, it is obvious that you are trying to figure out why the issue persists. Your air freshener will not cover up a sewage smell, at least not permanently. The good news is that you can eliminate the sewage smell in your bathroom once you find out the cause of the sewage smell in your bathroom.

Reasons Your Bathroom Smells Like Sewage

There are several reasons for a sewage smell in bathroom. Continue reading to find out what they are.

The Drain in Tub

The first place you should investigate is the drain in your tub or shower if you notice a sewage odor. That is because the tub and shower drain collects dirt that is washed off when you shower. If it is not properly draining, it can cause an accumulation of bacteria which can lead to the sewer smell. You can clean your shower drain using a paint roller cover and disinfectant.

Bathroom Sinks

The second place you should check is the sink in your bathroom. Mildew can accumulate in your bathroom sink, which can cause an odor that resembles sewage. You can easily repair this issue by pouring a mixture of vinegar and baking soda down your drain. Once it has been sitting for at least 30 minutes, you can use a plunger to unclog your sink. The sewage smell from a sink isn’t just the result of a clog. It can also come from the P-trap underneath the sink. If the trap gets too dry, it can become filthy, leading to an odor.

Bathroom Toilet

If you have checked the shower drain and sinks and still can’t figure out where the sewage smell is coming from, you can move on to your toilet. Your toilet could cause a sewage smell if it was not correctly installed. It could also be due to a vent pipe responsible for moving smells away from the bathroom. If the vent pipe wasn’t installed correctly, it could cause the reverse of smells. The best thing to do in this type of instance is to contact a professional plumber.

Damaged Seals

This leads us to our next point, which is damaged seals. The toilet is connected to the drain via seals; if they are damaged, they can cause various smells to be released into your bathroom. If this is the case, a puddle of water will be present near your toilet, giving off an unpleasant odor.

Hot Tub

Do you have a hot tub or jacuzzi in your bathroom? You should probably check for smells in your hot tub if you notice the smell of sewage. The same concept applies to hot tubs as to shower drains. If the smell is coming from your hot tub, you will probably notice a biofilm at the bottom of it.

Categorised in: Plumbing Maintenance