Well basically, my mum is painting our bathroom at the minute and when she was by the bathtub we smelt this weird indescribable smell. Then she started to continue painting by the toilet and it smells real bad of sewage, its not really strong but strong enough to make you feel sick, basically its smells like an open drain, we checked the tolilet and the floor around it and there is no leaks nor blocks in the toilet at all. Where could the smell be coming from and what should we do! It stinks!
Thanks!
2007-09-16 03:23:31 · 10 answers · asked by Tink 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Oh how helpful.
2007-09-16 03:32:34 · update #1
David K wtf are you onna bout, Reported :D:D haha
2007-09-16 05:59:36 · update #2
have you checked for a leak underneath your house ... assuming you have a crawl space... you may have a busted sewage line that is leaking ... this is a big problem not only plumbing-wise but can also create foundation problems for your home. if you are not afraid to crawl under there, get a flash light and check it out. if you see a puddle or find a damp spot call a plumber/repairman soon or you'll find yourself with bigger problems than just a bad smell.
also on the lighter side - check the wax ring around the toilet. turn off the water to the tank and flush all of it out. get some towels and put them where the hose connects to the toilet. unhook the line at the toilet. there are two caps at the base of the toilet. lift them up with a flat screw driver and remove the bolts. you should be able to lift the toilet up. there is a wax ring that sits on the sewage pipe. verify that is there and in good condition...this wax makes a seal so you'll need plenty of it to be there. it's very easy to fix and inexpensive too. get some more wax in the plumbing section at a home improvement store.
remove the old wax. put the new wax in place and carefully place the toilet back down. someone at a home improvement store can help you get the correct wax ring and maybe even help you answer the question to the smell for free before you take the toilet apart.
2007-09-16 13:03:17 · answer #1 · answered by pAgnAliA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had the same problem, it turned out to be the wax ring ,
this wax ring gos between the toilet and the flange , the flange is basically the top of the sewer pipe,that sits on the floor.
The wax ring is nothing more than wax washer that stops any leaks,and you can still flush the toilet without seeing any water the wax ring also protects from the leaks of sewage gases, these rings can and do wear out over time,cut off water,empty fill tank,and any water still in toilet,disconnect pipes, unbolt toilet and lift it up,clean old wax away(gloves) look for any damaged pipes if none replace new wax ring,hook up toilet wax ring cost no more than 5 bucks
2007-09-16 14:06:12 · answer #2 · answered by little eagle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you may have a plumbing problem as in venting or perhaps the wax seal around the toilet is leaking ( fumes) If you are handy remove the toilet and give everything a good cleaning and inspection. and replace the wax gasket. Also it could be a mold problem behind the walls or floor. If this stuff is beyond your capabilities I think I would call a plumber as breathing this kind of stuff could not be good.
2007-09-16 10:49:31 · answer #3 · answered by ec1177 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes older toilets become pourus and over years of use that "smell" is just inbedded in. Is the base of the toilet sealed with caulk? Also the base's seal that the toilet sits on may need to be replaced. I'd probably give a thorough cleaning and if that didn't help...call the plumber! It may be more than you two want to handle...ranks high in the yuk department!
2007-09-16 10:42:15 · answer #4 · answered by PAB 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First be sure it not the paint you smell. It not the greatest thing in the world and you say your painting and you not mention it smelling before you paint.
Then try puring some Lysol in each drain and let it set. Not take much. See if it clear up.
Only other thing I think of is a dead mouse. If it that, well, you have to find it. I had to do this for my mom. It was under the house close to the area we smell it most.
2007-09-16 10:33:00 · answer #5 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get down there and smell around the base of the toilet. If the smell is coming from around the base, you need to install a new wax ring as your old one is leaking.
2007-09-16 11:35:04 · answer #6 · answered by OleGreyGoose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be that your vent tube (located on top of the house above the bathroom) is blocked. This would vent sewer gases into your bathroom through the drains. Just climb up there with a drain snake and unblock it. If that doesn't help, I don't know what to tell ya.
2007-09-16 10:34:05 · answer #7 · answered by shojo 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Check your vent tube, located on the top of your home right over your bathroom. If it is clogged it will allow sewer gases to collect and enter your home. EIther use a snake to check to see if it is clear or hire someone to clean it out for you.
2007-09-16 10:39:03 · answer #8 · answered by Deborah S 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ask the male members to aim straight, as a plumber, I come across this all the time!
2007-09-16 14:51:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like there was dry urine on the walls and the moister from the paint reactivated it. it should stop once the paint drys.
2007-09-16 12:59:30 · answer #10 · answered by triminman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋