Dealing with Sewer Smells from Your Toilet

Unfortunately, many homeowners believe that unpleasant sewage odors emanating from your toilet are natural occurrences, since the setting is the bathroom. However, these smells frequently indicate a more serious plumbing problem that needs to be fixed. Understanding the common reasons behind these smells and learning tips on how you can deal with them is important for all residents. If the issue underneath the smell isn’t something you can resolve, you should seek help from professional plumbers.

Dry P-Trap

A dried-out P-trap is one of the most common reasons for a sewage odor in your bathroom. A P-trap is a curved pipe that is meant to prevent the return of sewage gases into your house by holding water. If water hasn’t been used in a long time in that specific fixture, such as during vacations, sewer odors can freely enter your bathroom. Just running some water will allow the P-trap to refill and solve the problem if that's the case.

Broken Toilet Seal

Observe the base of your toilet closely; sometimes, when the seal of the toilet is broken, urine or waste can seep through and find a way onto the bathroom floor, creating a really awful odor. This scenario is a nightmare for many homeowners and is both dangerous and unhygienic. Luckily the solution for this is replacing the wax ring. To do this, however, you need certain tools and need to carefully lift the toilet completely. Although some experienced homeowners can tackle this, others may prefer not to. So, if you're not feeling sure, it’s best to contact professional plumbers.

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Clogs

Another source of sewer smells can be the clogs. Unfortunately, some homeowners aren’t as mindful about what is flushed down the toilets. And if you see visible signs such as water not draining after a flush or wastewater returning from the toilet, this can be the reason behind the odors. To avoid this problem in the first place, make sure nothing other than waste and toilet paper goes down the drain. To solve the clog, you can try different DIY methods such as vinegar and baking soda, hot water and dish soap, a plunger, or a toilet auger. These are all methods you can try. If the clog persists, however, contacting a professional is the best course of action.

Sewer Line Problems

Unfortunately, sometimes the issue isn’t as simple, and there’s a deeper underlying problem underneath. Problems like deeper obstructions, tree root infiltration, or broken pipes can also show themselves in the form of bad odors. To take care of these, certain repairs are a must. If the issue is with the toilet and can’t be fixed with a repair, toilet replacement might be necessary.

Reliable Plumbing Services

Although some odor problems are preventable in the first place or can be resolved with simpler methods, you should never disregard these odors, because they can be a sign of a major plumbing problem. And when these odors aren’t treated, it’s not only your plumbing system that’s at risk, but also your health. You may experience symptoms such as exhaustion, headaches, nausea, and memory issues. Luckily, all kinds of sewer problems can be solved by our skilled professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing and resolved quickly and efficiently. Call us today to learn more about the plumbing services we offer and schedule your appointment.