Spring Came Earlier This Year – Bathroom Smell Removal Guide
Even with regular cleaning, there are times you still notice some stench coming from your bathroom. In fact, this is one of the cleaning challenges many people have to deal with. Fortunately, it is easy to get rid of bathroom smell, especially if you know where it is coming from. In this guide, we tackle a few ways to remove bathroom smell depending on the source.
1.Dirt or Poor Cleaning
The first culprit when it comes to sources of bathroom odors is improper cleaning of the sinks, bathtubs, and toilets. Perhaps, you only use gentle cleaning products and scrub superficially. Unfortunately, gunk-buildup around the sinks, the rim of the toilet bowl and hidden grooves of bathroom fixtures will make a perfect breeding ground for microorganisms. In no time, you are bound to experience foul smell coming from your bathrooms.
When cleaning, be careful to thoroughly scrub the hidden corners and small crevices in your bathroom fixtures. Also, use cleaning agents specifically designed for bathrooms and toilets. This is because they come with a stronger formulation that can get rid of urine, soap scum and other dirt found in bathrooms. You can also invest in odor eliminators just in case you have to deal with stinking surfaces now and then.
2.Idle Bathroom Fixtures
Have you ever looked at your bathroom plumbing lines keenly? You might have noticed that the pipe that runs from your sink or toilet drain to the main wastewater line is U-shaped. The main line is the large pipe on the wall with one end going up to the roof and the other running down to the septic system.
The U-shaped part of the pipe is known as a P-trap, and holds some clean water after you use the sink, flush the toilet or empty the bathtub. The main purpose of this water is to bar backflow of sewage gasses into your house. However, if you haven’t used your bathrooms for long, the water can evaporate lowering the levels to an amount incapable of preventing gasses from flowing into your house. Think of the sink or toilet in your guest room that you haven’t used for more than a month, or so.
A simple solution would be to run water down such plumbing fixtures, by opening the taps, flushing the toilet or using the bathrooms. This fills up the P-trap and now gasses will leave through the proper channel- the vent pipe. In case you are remodeling or revamping your bathroom and you notice the foul smell, identify any open drain pipes and cover them until the work is complete.
3.Clogged Drains
An obstruction in the drainage pipes or vents blocked by leaves, frost, dead birds, and bird’s nests could be reasons for foul smell coming from your bathroom. The dirt blocking the drains can grow some bacteria which will result in the foul smell coming into the house. On the other hand, blocked vents hinder fresh air from flowing into the house. Blockages also hinder exit of gasses from the sewer tank and their only way out is through the bathroom drains.
There is a flexible auger called plumber’s snake used to unclog sewer lines especially when a plunger has failed. If you do not have this tool or are not comfortable climbing the roof to run the snake through the vent, call a plumber to help you with the exercise.
4.Leaking Plumbing Fixtures
This can be another source of odors coming from the bathroom. Inspect the areas around the P-trap to see if there is any wetness. Leakage will drain the water in the P-trap thus removing the barrier and allowing bad odors to flow freely into your home. The leaking P-trap could also be passing some urine and other dirt onto the floor thus being the main source of the bad odor.
Another area that can leak gasses is the vent pipe. Probably, the plumbers cut and installed it wrongly or it has a crack somewhere. Unfortunately, some of these cracks or cuts could be hidden in the walls, making it hard for homeowners to trace. If you have done everything else you can and still can’t seem to get rid of the smell, contact your plumbing contractor and have them inspect the system.
Conclusion
There is nothing as uncomfortable as a sewer smell inside your house. In fact, it can make your home unlivable. Besides, that unpleasant smell is because of methane gas produced by decomposing human waste, and it can be hazardous if you inhale a lot of it. Stay safe and comfortable by identifying the source of the smell and fixing it using the above ideas.
Author: Nathan Raymond is the CEO of West Coast Restoration & Cleaning. “Ray” and his staff are experts in water and fire restoration, and mold removal, carpet cleaning, and much more. As an expert in this field, Raymond enjoys sharing his experience with homeowners and property managers as an active author in the blogosphere. He has been active in the industry for over ten years, and his business can be found at www.westcoastrandc.com.
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