Public rest rooms drains smell?

Question

I was told that we should "charge" the drains. Does any one know what that means???

Answer 1

I'm betting they mean put in a trap primer. Trap primers release water in the trap to keep them from drying out. Pretty expensive process. I would pour water in the drain every couple of weeks if this is the case. Smells can come from many things. The wax ring for the toilet could be leaking. The restroom could be improperly vented and sucking the trap dry. The sinks could have buildup in the pop-up assembly or trap,bleach will cure that for a while The list goes on and on. If pouring water in the drain does not work I would suggest calling a plumber and having a smoke test performed. They will pump smoke into the drains and the smoke will show up where the sewer gas leak is. usually around $300. I charge 400 because I hate doing them.

Answer 2

What booyain has suggested is the correct answer.

The water in the drain "trap" has evaporated and is allowing sewer gas to flow, unobstructed, into your air. Look for drain traps that are in places like the center of a floor of a bathroom. Especially a room with southern exposure window glass -- heating up the room and accelerating evaporation.

These kinds of floor drains often dry out because there isn't a frequent enough spillage of water on the floor that is replenishing the trap.

Answer 3

Usually its just that the trap in the floor has dried out. My maintenance man has to pour a gallon of water down the ones we have periodically. There is supposed to be a "flap" that doesn't allow the sewer gas to come back up, but for some reason it always does. As far as I know, the term "charge" just means to flush out the sink and drain lines.

Don't put a gallon of bleach down there like that person suggested. You're gonna kill everyone with the bleach fumes!

Answer 4

I do maintenance at my workplace, big bldg with drains in the floor. When they start to smell simply fill them with water!!Works like a charm!! Its because the water inside has evaporated and they've become dry so now you are getting from god knows where.. wherever those drains lead and most likely its the sewer somewhere. Try it and your problem will be solved. I don't know what "charging the drains" mean?? Maybe thats it.

Answer 5

The drains need to be cleaned out. There is a product you can buy to put down the drain that kills the gasses that build up down there. That's where the terrible smell is coming from.

Something tells me you aren't the one in charge of maintenance, right? If you are, what are your vendor resources? Do you have a company that provides your restroom products......handsoap, toilet tissue, paper towels, toilet seats, air freshener dispensers....they should be able to provide you with this product.

Answer 6

Pouring water down them is correct. The only problem with that, is that if it is a drain that is not used much, the water will evaporate from the trap, and you will smell sewer gas again. Vegetable oil works very well, and doesn't evaporate.

Answer 7

I believe charging refers to pressurizing the line, then forcing water through to remove built up funk that has settled in the pipe. If your pipes are old though, you may risk causing leaks. You may want to try an organic decomposer purchased from your local home improvement store or custodial supply house.

Answer 8

put water down drain

Answer 9

It means to pour a lot of water in them, and also a gallon of bleach will help.

Answer 10

No, don't know what that means, but most public restrooms smell.