In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the common reasons why your bathroom, and specifically your toilet, is letting off foul odors well beyond the normal scope. The toilet doesn’t always smell great based on its common uses, but there are situations where significant odors will linger well beyond their normal levels, even when it’s been hours in between uses, and these often signal damage or other issues taking place.
At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re happy to offer numerous toilet repair and related services for those experiencing any issues with this vital plumbing fixture. What are some of the other possible causes of these foul sewage odors in or around your toilet, and how can you both be rid of them and be sure they aren’t signaling a larger problem that needs to be remedied? Part two of our series will look at these areas in detail.
Bacteria Presence
One toilet odor issue that’s a bit less common in Utah due to the dry air, but still may take place at times, is the presence of bacteria that makes its way up through the toilet and into your breathing air. These bacteria are most prone to this effect during humid conditions – this means if you’re able to keep your bathroom relatively dry, like the state itself, you should be able to avoid this concern.
If you determine a humid bathroom space has allowed these bacteria up through your sewer system, bleach is the primary solution. Pour it into the overflow pipe or the flush valve of your system, rather than the bowl itself, as this will ensure it hits the entire system.
P-Trap or Vent Pipe Concerns
Under your sink and/or toilet in the bathroom, there’s a section of piping called the P-Trap. Shaped like a U, this pipe is meant to hold a small amount of water specifically to guard against smells making their way up into your bathroom.
If this water is allowed to evaporate, however, this protective layer vanishes. If this has happened, which is more common for lesser-used toilets where water sits for long periods, either pour water down the drain or flush the toilet to re-fill the P-Trap. If the odor persists, you have a more significant issue and should call our plumbers for repairs.
Sink Overflow
Finally, your bathroom sink actually may be the cause of the odor in certain cases. This can happen if your sink has an overflow mechanism meant to relieve the pressure if the sink is overfilled – but this same mechanism can collect sewage and other buildup, and eventually smell really bad. In some cases you can clean this on your own, while in others you’ll need our plumbers for a full drain cleaning.
For more on how to diagnose the cause of poor odors coming from your toilet area, or to learn about any of our drain cleaning, toilet repair or other plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.