What should I do if I smell sewer gas in the bathroom?

Question

The ladies bathroom at my church has four stalls and one or more of them (not sure which one) is leaking some noxious smell. First is it dangerous and second how can I fix it. The church is on city sewer.

Answer 1

You've got a blocked vent tube have the maintenance man or you go up on the roof above the bathroom and take off the cap and clear the blockage.

Answer 2

It is not dangerous unless it smells like natural gas that you would use on a gas stove. Does the bathroom have a drain in the floor? If so then it is probably dried out and needs some water poured down it,

Answer 3

More than likely it is just a wax seal that needs to be replaced . Another thought crossed my mind ,since it is a church and the toilets are used very little during the week ,it may be the water is evaporating from the bowl allowing odors to escape .or do you have a floor drain that may not have water in it? Check to make sure all drains have water in them ,and if the odor persist have the wax seals replaced on the stools

Answer 4

Unless it also is a smoking area it is not dangerous. Provided the room has even the most basic ventilation there is no hazard.

It seems that due to age and use there has erupted some leak. Better leave it to someone who knows about this because trying yourself can and will get very messy.

Answer 5

look for a broken drain pipe or leaking toilet
yes sewer gas can be very unhealthy to breath

Answer 6

Possibly the seal around the base of the toilet, where it sits on the floor, has broken and needs to be replaced, by a plumber.

Answer 7

extend the vent pipe on the roof

Answer 8

Run for the hills!!!