Bathroom Smells – From the Pipes, Not Your Partner!

Is your bathroom still emitting pungent odours hours after your partner sat on the porcelain throne doing the daily Wordle puzzle? Have you tried multiple air fresheners only to return later to have the smell punch you in the face once again?

Before completely overhauling your partner’s diet or investing in expensive gut cleansing powders, consider whether the bathroom smells are coming from your pipes, rather than your partner. Chances are they are also getting a nose full of the smelly drains, and maybe even thinking it’s you!

DIY Fixes for Bathroom Smells and Smelly Drains

Sometimes stinky plumbing smells need to be dealt with by a plumbing professional. But the good news is there are a few things you can try first.

Fill the P-Trap

The first place to start is with the p-trap – this is a U-shaped pipe found underneath the basins, baths and showers (not the fluffy rug your nan used to put around the base of the toilet!) When it is filled with water, as it should be, the p-trap acts as a barrier that prevents gases from your sewer system rising up through the pipes into your home. If you have a bathroom where fixtures haven’t been used for some time, the water may have evaporated. In this case, simply running the tap to refill the p-trap may be all you need to do.

Check for Leaks in the P-trap

If you still have smelly drains even after running water down them, checking your p-trap for leaks is the next step in getting to the bottom of the issue. Even a small leak in the U-shaped pipe can be enough to let the potent gases sneak up through your system. This is something you may be able to replace and fit yourself. However, if you have any concerns, or lack the necessary tools for the job, calling a plumber is the best course of action.

Check the Sink for Blockages

It’s gross to think about, but all the things that go down your sink drain other than water (such as hair, toothpaste, soap, or food remnants) can cause a blockage in the pipes that takes on a life of its own and begins to stink!

In cases where the build-up is mild, pouring a cup of baking powder followed by a cup of white vinegar into your sink or shower drain and leaving for 10-15 minutes before running the hot water may be enough to clear the clog in the pipes and deodorise drains. You can also try unclogging the drain yourself with a plunger.

However, in more extreme circumstances, a plumber may use a drain snake or high-pressure hydro-jet to unblock the pipes.

Ignoring a blocked drain and hoping it’ll just go away can quickly turn into a costly mistake. So if these DIY methods don’t work, get your plumber on the phone!

Is the Smell Coming from the Toilet Rather than the Drains?

Are you struggling to keep a lid on the smell coming from your toilet? Smelly bathrooms aren’t always down to smelly drains or your honey spending too long on the dunny.

There are several reasons why your toilet might be the source of the foul smell.

Just like with the p-trap under your sink, the water in the toilet acts as a barrier to stop sewage gases from entering your home. If your toilet bowl isn’t filling up as it should, this could indicate a broken seal.

If there is no caulk around the base of your toilet, water and urine can gather in the crevices, grow bacteria and smell very unpleasant if left unchecked.

A loose or wobbly toilet may indicate a broken pan collar seal or wax ring which can result in toilet water leaking out and puddling on the floor and sewer gas escaping into the room.

Don’t let the stench of smelly drains or other unpleasant bathroom smells overtake your home! Contact Salmon Plumbing today.