Useful tips on how to remove smell from the bathroom drain

Pleasant, refreshing air is an indicator of the cleanliness of the bathroom.

However, in some cases, an irritating sewer odor may appear, which not only causes discomfort, but also poses a health hazard.

Therefore, if alarming signs appear, you should definitely find out and eliminate the cause of the problem, and use preventive measures in the future.

We will tell you in this article how to remove the smell from the bathroom drain.

Why is ambre from the drain dangerous?

The composition of sewage water is rich in ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane and other substances that are formed during the decomposition of organic matter. Many of these compounds evaporate and enter the human respiratory tract with the air.

Most gases are poisonous and with constant inhalation cause serious health problems for residents:

• anxiety, nervousness;
• irritable behavior;
• sleep disturbance;
• rhinitis;
• bronchitis;
• nausea, vomiting;
• migraine;
• dizziness;
• pressure disturbance;
• blurred vision.

Prolonged exposure to persistent sewer vapors can lead to general intoxication and illnesses requiring medical intervention.

Causes of unpleasant odor

There are several main reasons why toxic fumes leak. from the sewer. In each specific case, you should check all possible weak points and, through elimination, find the “root of evil.”

Improper installation of plumbing

The bathtub, sink, and toilet are installed and operated in such a way that all waste flows into the general drainage system. Each plumbing fixture, regardless of its purpose, is equipped with a siphon, which, when filled with water, forms a water seal.

When purchasing plumbing fixtures, it is recommended to choose items with a deep siphon and a large volume (at least 300 ml).

Errors in designing a drainage system

Proper installation of pipes and plumbing requires a drain pipe, along which the sewer riser is connected to the ventilation passage. The latter is displayed on the roof of the building.

The consequence of improper installation or clogging of the drain pipe is the entry of air bubbles into the drainage riser through the siphon or pipe joints. As a result, the water seal “goes” into the sewer riser, and the barrier to the gases disappears.

Other reasons associated with the design and installation of a drainage system include:

1. Failure to comply with the slope of the sewer pipe.
2. Inaccurately selected pipe diameter.
3. The assembly of the structure does not start from the bottom position.

Blockages

They are among the most common causes of foul odor. Small debris, wool, and hair regularly fall into the drain.Accumulating in the channel, they impede the flow of fluid.

Soon the resulting organic plug begins to decompose and create an unpleasant odor.

The situation gets worse if a large object gets into the pipe. It creates a barrier to the drainage and collects all small debris.

Icing during the cold season can lead to stagnation of wastewater in the pipeline.

Leaks

Much depends on the degree of soldering of pipe joints. If depressurization occurs and gaps appear at the joints, then the appearance of liquid waste in the bathroom is guaranteed. They help maintain odor and dirt.

Old metal pipes lead to the same problem.. Rust eats through the metal, causing a gap or perforation to form. Liquid begins to seep through these holes.

Deterioration of ventilation

The plumbing room must have a ventilation outlet. If it is missing or clogged, odors and water vapor accumulate in the bathroom.

This contributes not only to the accumulation of gases in a confined space, but also to the development of pathogenic fungi.

Air stagnation in a small room can result from:

• Clogged ventilation shaft in the house.
• Forced air flow from neighboring apartments.

How to find the source of the problem?

To calculate the cause, you need to sequentially check all possible points of problems. These include:

1. Checking the ventilation system. A piece of paper or a lit match is applied to the hood grille. The deflection of the paper and flame towards the shaft indicates good air outflow.
2. Search for leaks.Use a clean napkin to guide the sewer pipes. Particular attention is paid to the joints. Finding wet dirt indicates cracks or gaps.
3. Determining the position of the sewer pipe. To do this, use a building level. It will show whether the required slope is available.
4. Checking the drain. Testing is carried out by opening the water taps as much as possible. Stagnant or slow flow of water from a sink or bathtub indicates a blockage.

How to fix it?

The solution to the issue depends on what caused the smell. Each specific case requires the use of your own skills, special tools or calling a specialist.

Improved traction

You can improve ventilation in the bathroom in different ways, for this:

• install a fan on the hood, selecting it according to the volume of the bathroom;
• install an axial or duct fan with a check valve on the ceiling;
• open the bathroom door at night to remove the air lock in the ventilation duct;
• make holes in the door leaf for more efficient air circulation around the room;
• using a hook and a flashlight, they remove fallen objects or debris from the shaft.

When the natural air circulation in the bathroom is disrupted, it is necessary to install forced ventilation.

Pipe cleaning

If the smell appears due to clogged pipes or siphon, use a suitable cleaning method. There are three main methods.

1. Chemical. The range of household chemicals offers powder, gel, granular products. The most popular are Mole, Mister Muscle, Bagi Pothan, HAAH, Chirton, PROSEPT and others.
2. People's To dissolve small traffic jams, use available means (soda, vinegar, citric acid).A strong solution is poured into the drain hole and left for 20 minutes. Then rinse with tap water.
3. Mechanical. You can clear a clogged pipe bend under the sink using a plunger or manually by unscrewing the siphon. A distant blockage is removed using a cable. It is lowered into the drain hole and pushed through the pipe with rotational movements.

Repairing leaks

Detected cracks in the pipes are sealed using fum tape or a special sealant. The latter method is considered more reliable.

For plumbing repairs, various sealing materials are used:

• silicone;
• acrylic;
• silicone acrylic;
• polyurethane.

Before applying sealant to the pipe, its surface is cleaned, degreased and dried. The mastic is distributed with a spatula, making a continuous circular line. You can use plumbing fixtures after the product has completely dried.

Correcting installation errors

This work is the most difficult; it is not always possible to carry it out on your own.. If the problem is caused by the lack of slope of the sewer pipe, then sometimes it is possible to place a small block or brick under the near end of the pipeline. The desired slope is created, and the waste naturally goes into the sewer.

In what cases should you call a specialist?

Special situations require the intervention of a specialist. A professional, having experience and a special tool, will be able to fix the problem at a professional level.

It is necessary to contact specialists if:

• It is not possible to clean the ventilation shaft on your own;
• it is difficult to replace an old, unusable sewer pipe;
• Incorrect installation of a plumbing fixture needs to be corrected;
• install forced ventilation in the bathroom;
• remove hard-to-reach blockage at the distal end of the pipe.

Prevention measures

Even if your bathroom drainage system is not a concern, it is important to remember and implement preventive techniques. They will provide fresh air in the room and protect the owner from unexpected expenses.

Experts recommend:

1. Install small screens on the sink and bathtub drains that will trap debris and dirt.
2. When changing plumbing fixtures, replace old pipes at the same time.
3. Periodically rinse the drain coming from the sink and bathtub with boiling water.
4. After 1-2 months, flush the pipes with special chemicals or a homemade composition.
5. Every six months, check the condition of ventilation and sewerage.

Additional Tips

To protect yourself from the problem of bad odor in the bathroom, You should listen to the following recommendations:

1. Entrust the development of the project and installation of the home drainage system to experienced professionals.
2. When choosing a sealant for sealing cracks, it is advisable to give preference to compounds that contain antibacterial and fungicidal additives.
3. In summer, without use, the siphon quickly dries out; to restore the hygienic condition of the bathroom, just pour water into it.

All the most important and useful information about cleaning the bathroom is collected in this section of the site.

Video on the topic of the article

The causes of sewer odor and how to eliminate them are in the video:

Conclusion

An unpleasant sewer smell in a plumbing room is a common problem. Its causes may be related both to the drainage system itself and to the operation of the ventilation.

You can fix the problem yourself by cleaning, sealing pipes, improving ventilation, and correcting the structural elements of the system. In difficult situations, it is recommended to contact specialists.