Why is my toilet bubbling and really stinky?

Question

Hi. I live on the second floor in an apartment building. We have noticed a VERY foul smell in the bathroom. We had someone come "fix" it, but I dont know what was wrong as I dont speak the language here and he didnt speak English. The smell was gone for about 24 hours. Gradually has been coming back. It actually caused me to vomit a few times! Its bad.
There is nothing in the bathtub or sinks when we flush. No clogs. So I finally noticed that when I close the lid sometimes, the smell gets better. I did that tonight and when I reopened it, the water was bubbling. Almost like a tiny boil.
Anyone know what this is and what to say to the people when they come to fix it again???
Also, is this serious? I am pregnant and cannot take any risks. There are no windows in the bathroom, so I am pretty nervous about ventilation. But when I open the bathroom door, the whole apartment smelle up. Please help!!!

Answer 1

Improper Venting.

There are a few different types of waste systems commonly in use, but they all need to take into account proper venting of the gas.

Sewer gas is mostly Methane and is somewhat flammable, but probably not in the low levels you are experiencing.

There may be a pipe that leads from the basement up through the roof that should be open to vent the gasses out of the system, and away from the living areas. Outside it should dissapate and not build up.

It may be older construction or to foreign codes that have different requirements, but if you have a septic system and leach field, there are several bacteria and enzyme powders commercially available that assist in the breakdown of fecal matter and fats, and will reduce a smelly system. These typically need to be used every 6 months or year assuming you do not use bleach, draino, or toiletbowl cleaners which will kill the good bacteria in the system and cause Methane gas problems and backups. If you use these toxic agents, you need to add bacteria and enzyme more frequently. You may also need the septic system pumped out if it has stopped working properly due to harsh chemicals, or if it is a closed system (cess pool with no leach field)

If you are attached to a city sewer system and do not have private septic to worry about, make certain that the gas is not backing up into your house from the city sewer. If it is, you have a big problem that the city needs to fix.

Have your man check the venting to make sure no bird or wasp built a nest in the vent, and that no rodent crawled in and got stuck, preventing proper venting.

Answer 2

It's most likely not a setic tank issue, as you say its in an apartment building. If there IS a septic tank, it is nost likely full, and because they are not cheap to dump, the landlord may not have the money. Bug him if there is a septic tank.
If its on sewer, it could be clooged drains and P traps, which once the water slowly flushes down past the partial blockage, is releasing stench up through the toilet drain. If they have roto-rooter where ever you are, that is the answer, if not, you may have to remove the bowl, get a glove , spoon, stick, whatever it takes and manually clean all that disgusting gunk out. You will puke because if you think the thought of it is gross, having your fingers in it and the stench will overcome your senses.

Anyway, using a toilet brush or any brush (Don't let it drop in the hole) Scrub the hell out of it with straight javex. Getting down as far as you possible can, and until the brush comes up clean every time. Then you can replace the toilet bowl, by first scraping off the wax ring that was there (its a seal) and buying and placing a new one in its place. ( They are cheap about bucks at any plumbing store) This itself might be the problem, as a wax seal that isn't sealing will also release stink into the room.
Re faste your toilet, turn back on the water, and you should be good to go. A littler trick you can use is once a month drop a half a cup of 0-0-0- fertilizer down the toilet. (it's cheap too, like 7 bucks for a 25 lb bag) (it (the nitrogen)creates a chemical reaction which eats up the crap with an enzyme action) Its used for maintainng septic tanks (non-concrete ones) . It's not that environmentally friendly I guess, but it helps your pipes stay cleaner lots longer so you don't have to do that disgusting job again too soon. Hope it helps.

Answer 3

It has nothing to do with the bath tubs or sinks. Perhaps, there is a blockage at the joints in the discharge pipe. The bubbling is because of the effort of air clogged in at times trying to free itself. The bad smell for sure is due to age old lumps of wastes asking for clearance. Get a reliable professional clean up the mess once for all and ensure no un dissolvable discharge lets into the pipe again to avoid recurrance. No ventilation in the bath room is a bad statement to read by.

Answer 4

It sounds like the gases are backing up, this is not good and you need assistance. The traps in plumbing are used to stop the various odors from backing into the pipes. Yes, being pregnant is at issue, contact a plumber now. If you a renting the apt, the apt manager must by law repair/fix the situation. If they do not respond, contact the housing authority for your city or state. They will help you, renters have rights, as well as responsibilities, and also, the health dept will appreciate a call from you as well, tell them about the pregnancy for sure. Good luck.

Answer 5

The drains are all vented to the outside, usually throught the roof of the house. If you look at your roof, you should see some short pipes about 2" in diameter sticking through. These are plumbing vents. Vents are used for 2 reasons.. #1 to allow water to drain by letting air behind the water and thus the water will run out of the house... and #2 (no pun intended).. to provide a place for sewer gasses to vent outside your house. That smell is sewer gasses (methane). They are dangerouse to your health. And your problem is that the vent is clogged. This is certainly the problem because you smell the methane (its bubbling through the water in the toilet to enter your home). And, you didnt mention it, but I'd bet that the drain is draining a little slower than normal also (vent not letting air in behind the water).

So, definitely get the plumber or someone back in to open the vent .

Answer 6

there is someplace a drain it is so narrow that the water while flowing down pulls a vacuum in the back of it. that's no longer s undertaking because of the fact the siphon will permit the air in. This in simple terms makes a gurgling sound. If this would not suck each and all of the water from the siphon, this is not any longer a undertaking. it frequently isn't. this is solved by utilising making the pipe on the sewer area of the siphon wider or utilising a 'ventilating' siphon which could permit air in while it detects an underpressure. @RT The vent pipe shape isn't used anymore the place I stay so i did no longer assume you had one.

Answer 7

second floor....bubbling. Not a backed up sewer line. Gasses past the trap mean no venting to the outside air. Look for possibly a birds nest in the vent, or other blockage. Its definatley not doing what it should.

Answer 8

That sounds like sewer gas coming up through the pipe. That's bad. Call the plumber back right away.

Answer 9

Sounds like it needs Rodding. That's something the plumbers do when a plunger is not enough to fix the problem.

Answer 10

Lol.What did you eat?? Try telling the plumber exactly what you put here otherwise we might be able to officially say that old faithful has relocated to your apartment.