It’s the last thing you want to deal with when you’re trying to relax in your own home – a foul smell wafting from the bathroom. Unfortunately, many homeowners find themselves faced with this unpleasant situation on a regular basis. So what’s causing that nasty smell, and more importantly, how can you get rid of it? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes of sewage smells in bathrooms, as well as some tips for eliminating them. Keep reading to learn more!
Reasons why your bathroom smells like sewage
1. Damp – the most common reason is often dampness on the floor or on walls caused by an overflowing sink or shower that has not been cleaned properly.
2. Overflowing Toilet – do you have an old toilet with a nutrient trap? if so, this means it leaves all the waste in the water and only empties every few days – making it more likely for bacteria to develop and creating a strong odor..
3. Broken Cleaning Routine – never clean the toilet bowl regularly! scrubbing encourages bacteria growth and can cause smells to linger even longer because of the sheer amount of soap residue left behind. instead, use natural deodorizers like white vinegar or baking soda to keep your bathroom smelling fresh without encouraging harmful bacteria growth.
4. Clogged Drain – avoid using strong chemicals such as chlorine bleach as these actually cause bacteria to grow and can create a terrible smell. use baking soda and white vinegar instead and follow the instructions on how to keep drains unclogged at all times for best results.
5. Ignored Leaks – whether it’s your washing machine or dishwasher, leaks of any kind will cause smells because left untreated they’ll cause mold growth.
6. Pipe Breaks – especially in the winter months pipes are more likely to freeze so if you suspect a break call a professional plumber immediately as this is an emergency situation that needs immediate attention.
7. Broken Seals Around Tiles / Grout – dirt and sand often accumulate around tiles which means there is no seal between the new and old grouting which causes severe bad odors. if it’s an older bathroom, sealing around tiles may no longer exist and this can be fixed with a re-grouting or complete replacement.
8. No Ventilation – bathrooms need ventilation otherwise the humidity will cause smells to linger much longer than they should. to fix this problem, simply install an exhaust fan over your shower/bathtub to ensure that moisture is removed from the air as soon as possible.
9. Poor Drainage – severe slow draining in any part of your wastewater system (toilet, sink, dishwasher) means there is not enough water no matter how many times you flush and this causes pressure against the sewer pipe which leads to those awful sewer gas smells. make sure there are no clogs by using a snake weekly to keep your drainage flowing freely.
10. Old Pipes – if you’ve been in your home for over 20 years, odds are the pipes have seen their fair share of wear and tear and may even be getting close to breaking down completely which means they can no longer block smells from passing through. a professional plumber will make sure everything is running smoothly again.
11. Your septic tank is overflowing – if your septic system backs up this can cause a sewer smell in your bathroom and throughout your entire home so call a professional plumber immediately for help if you notice a problem.
Why does my bathroom smell like sewage when it rains?
If there is an open window in the bathroom when it rains, you’re likely to hear this question. It’s because there are two main culprits that cause this problem.
1. The floor drain – during a rainstorm, water levels can actually rise inside your home which means wastewater backs up into your system and collects around the floor drain. this causes a horrid odor and sometimes the water will overflow out of the drain and onto your bathroom floor which makes it wet and slippery.
2. Clogged Air Vent – if your air vent is clogged with debris such as leaves, twigs, or dirt then you’re more likely to notice an unpleasant smell in the air when it rains.
Why does my bathroom smell like sewage when it gets cold?
If you notice this smell only during the cold winter months, it’s due to what is commonly known as a “trap seal.” When condensation forms on your pipes and eventually freezes, it melts again when the heat kicks on and fills your bathroom with disgusting, pungent odors.
Why does my bathroom smell like sewage at night?
If your bathroom smells like sewage in the middle of the night, you might have a clogged or broken sewage line. The sewage is unable to move through the line, so it simply sits in one location and gets heated by your water heater or furnace. When this happens, that sewage emits a horrible stench that smells like the sewer. Get a plumber to check your line ASAP.
What to do when my bathroom smells like sewage?
1. Open the window – if you suspect that your floor drain is backed up, opening the bathroom window will allow outside air to flow in and help get rid of the awful smell. it’ll also prevent flooding!
2. Run fan – run a fan at all times to keep moisture out of your bathroom walls because mold doesn’t like dry air and you can keep the smell down by simply keeping moisture out of your bathroom..
3. Clean regularly – use a small brush and baking soda or vinegar to clean around floor drains regularly to prevent clogs from happening which ultimately causes smells. if this doesn’t help, use a snake weekly so water can flow freely through your drain and into the sewer or septic system.
4. Try disinfectant – mixing bleach with water in a spray bottle is an effective way to clean any surface that the drains are near which will help you get rid of the smell completely. it also prevents mold from growing!
5. Use baking soda – pour some baking soda into your drain at least once a week and after you’ve showered. this is a natural way to keep your drain running smoothly.
6. Have it inspected – if you have a foul odor, call the plumber immediately because something may be wrong with your wastewater system. having them inspect it will save you from spending more money on expensive repairs later on.