Problems with Sewer Odor

Q:  I have a rental house with a bathroom that has problems with sewer odor. Do you have any advice on how to address this?

A: The first suspect is the toilet. Gently try to move the bowl of the toilet. If the bottom moves even slightly in any direction, then the sewer gas is probably escaping around the wax ring that seals the toilet to the floor. If this is the case, remove the toilet and replace the wax seal. If the toilet is not a problem then check the drains of other fixtures. When a plumbing fixture hasn’t been used in a while, the traps below the drain can cry out, allowing gases to escape.

Pour a cup of water down the drain to reseal a trap. Also, clean the floor thoroughly and, if possible, ensure the bathroom has adequate ventilation and an operable window or exhaust fan.

Hot Product

Maze Stormguard Nails
Maze STORMGUARD® Nails

Maze STORMGUARD® nails are double hot dipped galvanized and have a thick coating of zinc for maximum corrosion-resistance. All Maze STORMGUARD® Nails meet and exceed the ASTM A 153 specification for hot-dip galvanizing. Maze manufactures quality double hot-dipped nails for fiber cement siding, cedar and redwood siding, roofing, cedar shakes and shingles, PVC trim products, […]

Read More >>