Basement toilet smells and bubbles?

Question

Before we moved into our house we had our basement finished and added a full bath. We do not use this bath and despite all of this we sometimes discover food particles in it for some reason. We had our main line snaked out twice already. Our toilet bubbles on occasions when we flush it as well. Someone told me that our toilet might be connected to our sink disposer line or something. A plumber once told me that we might have to ad another vent for this particular toilet. Sometimes it really smells. Please advice what needs to be done and the approx cost. Thanx

Answer 1

USA The new bathroom was not installed properly. Flush the toilet, and run water in the lavatory and tub once per week to keep water in the traps. That will eliminate the smell, if it is originating in the bathroom. If you are finding food particles in the toilet or tub, it is because a flow of waste from upstairs is backing up into the downstairs bathroom. My bet is that the new piping connections were not installed at the proper azimuth at the existing building drain (they should be connected in the upper third of the pipe), AND, the piping is not installed at a proper slope. I would get whoever did the original installation to come back and fix it. Venting also needs to be checked and verified. As far as cost, I don't know. If the pipes are under a concrete floor slab, and you cannot find the contractor that installed the bathroom, you could be in for a few thousand dollars.

Answer 2

The toilet is not vented properly. I can't guess at to the cost, too many variables. It sounds like it has never been vented right. Who ever added the bath didn't do right. Sometimes it is difficult to tie in to and existing vent from the basement or add another on, so they just didn't bother. A good plumber needs to evaluate the vent/drain system to give you the least expensive option.

Answer 3

I took a plumbing class recently. The reason why the toilet bubbles is because something is blocking the airflow outside, if there is an airflow outside. The reason why it stinks is because it is not used and there is no water to block the sewer gases coming in. Usually, id you just flush the toilet, it'll stop smelling. I don't know how much it would cost to get another air vent or anything like that, but usually getting rid of the smell is free.

Answer 4

remember now, a toilet in the basement is the last line of all the toilet, kitchen sink in the house before in goes down, if the vent in that toilet was not done properly it going to cause a lot of problem (beleive me I know from experince) my basement have been flooded twice. so I think its a problem you need to care of ASAP.

Answer 5

i'm not a plumber but I think you need a master plumber