Sewer smell in the toilet: why it smells like sewer, how to eliminate the unpleasant smell, why the toilet stinks, reasons for how to remove the smell, get rid of it

An unpleasant odor that appears in the toilet must be eliminated.
It affects the comfort of being in the toilet room and can spread to other rooms. It is not always possible to solve the problem only by using an air freshener. Depending on the cause of unpleasant odors, a suitable method for solving the problem is selected.

We will tell you in this article how to remove unpleasant smell from the toilet.

Causes of unpleasant odors

A bathroom is a necessary sanitary and hygienic space in any apartment or house. To prevent the appearance of foreign odors, special care and sanitary requirements in the toilet are required. If an unpleasant odor from the sewer system still spreads into the rooms, you need to find out what causes the sewer smell in the toilet.

Most often this is due to the following violations:

The pressure in the sewer system is too low.
Incorrect installation and connection of plumbing equipment.
Low efficiency of the ventilation system.

Sewer gases carry pathogens and harmful substances, including hydrogen sulfide, sulfur oxide, ammonia and much more. Inhalation of such a composition by a person causes irreparable harm to the body, so it is necessary to take urgent measures to identify the causes of its occurrence and look for ways to eliminate them.

In most cases, residents who have no idea about the peculiarities of sewerage work try to solve the problem of how to get rid of the sewage smell in the toilet with the help of modern air fresheners. However, scented aerosols can only kill the unpleasant odor, and not eliminate it completely. To independently decide why an unpleasant odor appears, you need to know the sewerage system in the toilet, have the slightest idea about the composition and operating principle of such communications and the plumbing equipment used.

An unpleasant odor is the result of sewer gases entering from the drain hole of plumbing fixtures when the device is clogged or improperly installed. In addition, there are several other reasons why the toilet smells like sewage in an apartment or private house.

Possible reasons

There are not many reasons for the appearance of sewer smell. Let's look at each of them and consider the procedure necessary to stop the spread of the "aroma".

Incorrect operation of the water seal

The water seal of the sewer system includes an artificially created water plug designed specifically for these purposes. It blocks the pipe and blocks the path of unpleasant odors. If for some reason there is no water, sewer vapors rush into your home.

Water seal of toilet and sink (bathtub) Source vodakanazer.ru

The curved pipe (corrugated hose, system consisting of several pipes) located under the plumbing equipment is called a siphon. Inside it is the same water plug, which acts as an effective protector from unpleasant fumes.

Healthy! In toilets, the siphon is built into the body, so there is no point in creating an additional water plug. But in the sink and sink, the water seal is assembled from additional (hinged) elements.

The most common cause of sewer odors in the toilet is a malfunctioning siphon. In this case, you need to try to determine why it stopped performing its functions and restore them. Let's take a closer look at the main reasons.

Important! If unpleasant odors occur due to improper operation of the water seal, it makes no sense to use fragrances and disinfectants. The problem needs to be eliminated, and the unpleasant odors will disappear after simple airing.

Incorrect siphon installation

A sewer smell in the toilet may appear if the siphon is installed incorrectly. It should be borne in mind that this situation is only possible if a corrugated pipe is used and a certain bend is not observed, which will act as a hydraulic plug.

Check the water level in the toilet Source vodakanazer.ru

Incorrect assembly of the factory siphon is also possible. But this is only possible if the outlet pipe is higher than the water plug or the plumber does not install a bending pipe. Such an error is only possible if the assembly is carried out by a person who has never encountered the structure of a sewer system and ignores the assembly instructions included with each package.

Healthy! Troubleshooting is solved by disassembling and correctly assembling the siphon, replacing it if damaged, or creating a certain bend in the corrugated pipe.

Stretched or incorrectly positioned corrugation

The problem described a little earlier relates to this reason. Due to an overstretched corrugation, instead of a bend with a water seal, a straight (insufficiently bending) bend is formed, which is not completely filled with water.

Types of corrugated pipes for siphon Source omshantidom.ru

The result is an unpleasant sewer smell. The solution to the problem is to slightly tighten the corrugated walls of the pipe and bend it in the desired direction.

Interesting! You can fix the straightened corrugation in the desired position by tying it in any possible way.

Drying out of the water plug

With daily use of the toilet, the water plug cannot dry out. This happens in situations where plumbing fixtures are not used for a long time. For example, when an apartment is empty without tenants for a number of reasons. In this case, the liquid may simply evaporate, and the unpleasant odors of the sewer system will gradually fill the room.

Source of unpleasant odor in a non-residential apartment Source www.remontnik.ru

This situation can arise both in an apartment and in a private house. It can be solved simply – within 20-30 seconds. open the water in each sink and flush the toilet. In a word, simulate the start of use of plumbing by filling all siphons with water. The smell will disappear after simple airing.

Healthy! In this case, there is no need to use odor removal products.

Siphon clogged

The clog in the siphon itself will not cause a sewer smell. It will lead to disruption of the liquid and air circulation system, which will be reflected in the appearance of odors only after a few days. But it will be impossible to use the plumbing all this time, so it will need to be eliminated. In this case, we do not consider cleaning performed without disassembling the device. But the situation with disassembly and reassembly can become the culprit of odors due to errors during reassembly. For example, if for some reason the siphon (corrugation) is assembled incorrectly.

Disassembling and cleaning the siphon Source stroyobzor.info

The solution to this problem was described earlier: you need to assemble it so that a water seal is created inside, the upper edge of which will be above the drain pipe.

Manufacturing defect?

As practice shows, on some models of toilets (the model and brand are not named), the designers “created” an additional small hole connecting the cavity of the outlet sewer pipe with the flush cistern. As a result, after such devices are installed instead of old ones, an unpleasant sewer smell appears.

A professional plumber would never think of looking for a catch in such a manufacturing defect, so it takes a very long time to solve the problem. Until the toilet is dismantled and completely examined or the owner learns about this “little” trick. For what purpose it was done remains unclear. Whether this is a manufacturing defect or a design error is unknown.

Healthy! It’s easy to muffle the penetration of “aromas” - just seal this hole with silicone sealant.

Ventilation problems

Sewer ventilation (waste pipe) is a pipe connecting the plumbing main (riser) to the atmosphere or a separately located ventilation duct. According to building regulations, it must be present in buildings above 2 floors with accommodation of more than 10 people. This is explained by calculating the load on the highway.

The drain pipe serves as a compensator for pressures that arise when flushing a large volume of wastewater. It also promotes the rapid removal of gases from the system.

Water seal failure

The absence of a drain pipe often leads to the fact that as a result of the simultaneous flushing of several plumbing fixtures, the cross-section of one main line becomes insufficient. This becomes a “breakdown” (sucking) of water from the water seal into the main line. As a result, odors from the sewer rush into the vacated space and fill the room.

The problem is solved by filling the bend with new liquid. To do this, you need to turn on the water for a few seconds and flush the toilet.

Healthy! If the water valve frequently fails, consider installing a drain pipe.

Exiting the drain pipe Source omshantidom.ru
Installation of the drain pipe in order to avoid the smell of sewage at home is carried out in compliance with 2 principles:

The difference in diameter between the outlet and main pipes. The size of the ventilation line should be equal to or slightly larger than the cross-section of the main sewer line.
The top point should be located in the area of free movement of air flows. The connection to the attic is made subject to good ventilation, which is rare for most private households. In most cases, the top point of the drain pipe is brought to the roof and rises 30-50 cm above the roofing horizon. The ventilation duct is assembled from standard plastic sewer pipes with a diameter of 110 mm.

Important! Connecting the vent pipe to other channels (ventilation system, chimneys, exhaust ducts) is not allowed.

Please note that the smell of sewerage may be present even with a drain pipe installed. This happens for the following reasons:

No valve, no cap at the fan outlet. In this case, the cause may be a clog or a twisted bird's nest.
With a certain direction and strength of wind, sewer odors can penetrate into the room. This occurs due to the “squeezing” of the escaping air by more powerful gusts. The problem is eliminated by installing a weather vane deflector
Insufficient height of the pipe raised above the roof.
Overflowing septic tank (for houses that do not have a central sewage system). In this case, just pump it out.

Aeration valve

An aeration valve (aerator valve) is presented as a small plastic device designed to supply air inside the pipeline (in our case, into a plumbing pipe). The device works according to the following principle:

As a result of draining the water, a vacuum is built up in the pipe (the pressure value drops sharply).
As a result, a membrane inside the aeration valve opens, allowing air from the room into the pipeline through a special hole.
After equalizing the pressure, the valve closes and does not allow the smell of sewage into the room.

Non-return valve against unpleasant odors Source i.ytimg.com

Problem with the water seal

When the section of the sewer pipe is completely filled with waste water, the water plug is removed. The absence of a water seal or its poor functioning can be called the most common reason for the appearance of an unpleasant odor in the bathroom. A water seal is a water plug in a siphon under plumbing fixtures. It serves as a kind of barrier to sewer gases. In the absence of this barrier, gases freely penetrate into the bathroom and the entire house or apartment smells like sewage from the toilet.

Let's further figure out how to eliminate the smell of sewerage in an apartment if the cause has not yet been found. Each toilet has basic plumbing equipment - a toilet bowl, under which there is also a siphon. In this case, the siphon is a curved pipe in the bend of which liquid can accumulate. Such a water seal serves as a fairly effective barrier to unpleasant odors from the sewer system.

The slightest deviations in the operation of the siphon cause the constant presence of sewage smell in the toilet. If the siphon has ceased to perform a barrier function, then this happened for one of the following reasons.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Some useful tips on how to get rid of unpleasant toilet “aroma”.

You need to understand that if an unpleasant sewer smell appeared in the bathroom once, it will soon appear again. Therefore, this problem cannot be left to chance, but must be solved. Timely repair of the breakdown will save your time and money.

Do you have a special method for combating negative “odors” emitted by the sewer system? Do you want to tell us about an effective method or do you disagree with the information presented? Please write comments in the block below.

Incorrect installation

If the installation of the siphon was carried out incorrectly, then an unpleasant sewer aroma will certainly appear in the rooms. Consequently, the need arises to solve the question of how to remove the smell from the toilet in the apartment.

When installing a siphon, installing the outlet pipe too high will result in sewer gases passing over the water plug and freely penetrating into the living rooms. Consequently, the siphon will not fully perform its functions. The solution to the problem is to move the outlet pipe 2-3 cm below the water level.

Leaky sewer connection

The first two from the list of possible reasons have been eliminated, but we still do not understand why the toilet stinks. The next probable reason on the list is a violation of the tightness of the connection between the toilet and the sewer.

Cause

The putty that ensures the tightness of the connection has cracked and partially fell deep into the riser.
The rubber cuff, which performs the same function, has dried out and no longer seals the connection.

This cuff may lose elasticity over time.

The corrugation connecting the toilet to the sewer has shifted or has ceased to provide a tight seal, cracking along the folds.
It is advisable to completely remove the putty using a strong screwdriver or a narrow chisel, and then reseal the joint. You can do this again with cement mortar, or you can use silicone sewer pipe sealant.

Solution

Tip: Do not try to re-caulk the connection between the toilet and the sewer pipe over the old caulk. It will inevitably continue to crumble and the toilet stink will reappear.

Builders usually use the simplest method to seal this connection.

It is not difficult to make the cuff perform its functions again using the same sealant. To do this, it is highly advisable to unscrew the toilet from the floor and remove its outlet from the socket; then the cuff is removed, all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and wiped dry, and only then sealant is applied to the cuff on both sides. We assemble the structure in reverse order. Be careful not to pull the toilet too tightly to the floor, as this can easily crack the base.

The displaced corrugation simply returns to its place, preferably again on the sealant. If there are cracks in the corrugation on the edges of the plastic, it needs to be changed.

Corrugation is a thin and not very durable plastic. Sometimes cracks appear in it.

Drying the water seal

A long break in the operation of any plumbing equipment leads to the drying out of the water plug. In this case, there is no obstacle to unpleasant odors from the sewer. Eliminating the causes of sewer smell in the toilet can be done easily and simply; it is enough to ensure the flow of water into the toilet or other device until the water seal is completely filled.

In addition, you can reduce the rate of water evaporation during a long absence from a residential building. It is enough to pour a small amount of vegetable oil into the drain hole, which forms a film on the surface of the water. As a result, the water plug will take much longer to dry.

Stretched corrugated pipe

Modern plastic siphons are equipped with a corrugated pipe. During operation, the corrugation can stretch and sag, which will lead to the penetration of unpleasant odors into the room. This situation occurs when using electrical tape or adhesive tape as fastening, rather than special clamps. To eliminate the problem of why there is a smell from the toilet, it is enough to correctly position the corrugated pipe and fix it with clamps.

Incorrectly installed corrugated pipe

If the rules for installing corrugated pipes are violated, an unpleasant toilet smell may also appear. In particular, we are talking about the incorrect formation of a bend on a corrugated siphon pipe. Most often, a simple home craftsman does not know how to properly form a corrugated elbow and secure the hose in this position. The solution to the problem is to create the correct configuration of the corrugation and fix it with special plastic clamps. If you have doubts about your own abilities, you can always invite a professional plumber.

Siphon clogged

If the siphon is usually clogged, an unpleasant sewer smell may also appear in the apartment. Drains very often accumulate in the siphon elbow, which over time begin to decompose and emit a rather unpleasant aroma. If the water seal is clogged, it must be washed using chemicals that can be purchased at any specialized store. If necessary, the question of how to remove the smell from the toilet can be solved by mechanically cleaning the water seal.

In most cases, corrugated siphons are susceptible to clogging, which is explained by the folded surface of the inside of the pipe. It is in the folds that debris, fat and waste products are retained. To wash the corrugated siphon, complete dismantling of the device is required.

If you install a vacuum valve on the siphon through which the equipment is connected to the sewer system, you can ensure stable operation of the device. With such a valve, the pressure in the sewer system is stabilized.

We act according to schedule

The main condition in the fight against a specific aroma is regular cleaning. Whatever golden detergent is invented, it needs to be applied, it needs to be wiped, washed, it cannot help once and for all.

Wiping from time to time and incomplete cleansing of surfaces from urine leads to the formation of hardening plaque and stone on the toilet. It gives off a persistent odor and to get rid of it, it is no longer enough to simply wipe with a regular product.

Particular attention should be paid to hard-to-reach places - under the toilet rim. There are enough curved spout tools to get there.

Walls and floors also require attention; many small drops remain on them, which are not visible, but over time they eat into the surface and are difficult to remove.

Remembering what needs to be done on Saturday is not difficult when a person works a five-day shift. And if the activity schedule is changing, then it’s a good idea to make a plan for cleaning. To do this, just stick a colorful calendar on the door in the toilet and circle the necessary days.

It happens that even with proper cleaning, the smell remains, especially in old apartments. Most often the reason is cracks and damage from time to time on the pipes. In this case, it is necessary to thoroughly examine the sewer pipes and their joints.

Clogged sewer pipe

To effectively remove a blockage that has formed in a sewer system pipe, you need to buy a product containing chlorine from a specialized store. To use the drug to solve the problem of how to eliminate the smell in the toilet, you must strictly follow the instructions on the bottle so as not to harm your health. The product must be poured into the drain hole and left for a while. Most often, the blockage dissolves under the effective influence of a modern household product, and the plumbing fixture begins to function normally. If a household chemical product turns out to be ineffective, then you need to use the services of a plumber to clean the pipe.

How to quickly eliminate odor

The lack of water in the toilet water seal can be detected with the naked eye. To remove an unpleasant odor, simply drain the water, creating a clean water plug. If the water level in the drain remains low, then the problem lies in improper installation (siphon, drain pipe, etc.).

If the problem persists after filling the water seal, then the ventilation and sewer systems should be cleaned. If you suspect a leak, you should inspect the joints and then wrap them with toilet paper. A change in the color of the adsorbent will indicate a depressurized connection.

If home measures have no effect, it is necessary to call specialists who will determine the area of the leak or improper installation of pipes . To search for damage, special devices are used: thermal imagers, acoustic leak detectors, etc.

If the smell is due to the presence of a hidden sewer leak, then the owners will have to dismantle the cladding and part of the ceiling.

Improved ventilation draft

Cleaning the ventilation duct is performed in the following sequence:

Remove the decorative grille. Clean it from dust, dirt and cobwebs, rinse thoroughly.
Wear gloves and sweep out small and large debris from the ventilation duct.
Clean the canal deeply with a dry and clean toilet brush. Vacuum the remaining dust and cobwebs with a pipe without attachments.
Clean the canal walls from dirt using a damp sponge and scraper. Detergents and chemical solvents are not recommended.
Reinstall the clean decorative grille. Check the ventilation draft.
For more thorough cleaning, you can use a flexible shaft and a stiff brush, the diameter of which is approximately equal to the width of the ventilation duct. The structure of the shaft and brush is put on the drill, which rotates at low speeds. Before starting work, it is recommended to mark the height of the floor with the ceiling on the cable. When the end of the brush hits a solid obstacle and the mark reaches the exit of the channel, the shaft can be removed.

Ventilation needs to be improved.

If there is no draft even after cleaning, then the problem may occur in several apartments or on all floors. To “break through” a ventilation duct in a common building system, you need to call specialists from the management company or the housing office.

Home methods for cleaning pipes

If an obstacle occurs in the pipeline, the water in the water seals is not renewed, and the incoming waste begins to decompose and emit a stench.

You can get rid of the blockage using the following means:

Table salt and soda. The method is only suitable for preventing blockages and gently cleaning the walls of the sewer. You need to pour 150-200 g of salt and soda into the drain, add hot water and leave for 2-3 hours. The product is used to clean sink drains. More effective chemicals are required to dissolve hair and impurities.
Vinegar and soda. The problem may arise not in the bathroom system, but in the apartment’s general sewer system. In this case, the likely cause of the blockage is fatty deposits. They are effectively eliminated with a combination of vinegar, baking soda and hot water. To clean the pipe, you need to remove the metal mesh from the drain hole, pour 100-150 g of soda into it and pour in 200-250 ml of vinegar (6%). After this, close the drain with a stopper and wait 2-4 hours. The last step of the procedure is pouring 1-1.5 liters of boiling water. The cleaned drain is washed with running water.
Soda and plunger. The combination of home remedies and mechanical action allows you to do without strong chemicals. First you need to pour 1 liter of boiling water into the pipe, wait 10-15 minutes and use a plunger. If it was not possible to break through the blockage, you need to pour 150-200 g of soda into the drain, pour 1 liter of boiling water, wait and use the plunger again. The procedure can be repeated 2-3 times.
Plumbing cable. A flexible steel rope with a hook attachment is suitable for removing dense blockages and large debris. To clean the drain, it is screwed in and pushed into the pipe until the obstruction disappears. It is not recommended to pierce corrugated connections with a cable, because a sharp nozzle can tear thin walls.
Chemical reagents. Tornado, Bagi Potchan and Mr granules are used to remove blockages. Muscle, Chirton powder, liquid Mole, DEBOUCHER Active and Synergetic, Sanfor, Chistin, Tiret and Sanox gels. Some products (for example, Tiret) are not intended for cleaning toilet drains. Reagents are poured or poured into the drain hole. After 5-15 minutes of action, the sewer is washed with hot water.

For thorough cleaning, it is recommended to remove the corrugation or disassemble the siphon. Flushing the pipeline section will remove grease, dirt and organic waste from the walls.

Improper installation of the sewer system in the toilet

Poor performance of plumbing fixtures can be explained by problems with the siphon or clogged sewer system. It is because of the resulting blockage that the clearance in the sewer pipe narrows, which can well be called the reason why the toilet smells like sewer. The absence of a water seal in most cases is explained by mistakes that were made during the process of arranging the sewer system. It is important to understand that plumbing equipment must be installed in strict accordance with installation rules and accepted standards.

When using sewer pipes of small cross-section, it is a violation of building codes. You need to choose products whose diameter corresponds to the volume of waste and frequency of use. In this case, you can count on the normal operation of the sewer system, otherwise a vacuum may occur in the pipe and the water plug may break.

Very often, the cause of failure of normal operation of plumbing equipment is a clogged drain pipe, which equalizes the pressure in the sewer system. A blockage can form due to an ice jam in the winter, which leads to a vacuum in the sewer system. As a result, the toilet smells like sewage. The problem can be solved after the ice layer melts and by installing pipes of larger diameter.

Sometimes the water seal breaks when draining water from the drain tank, as a result, sewer gases freely penetrate into the room. Cleaning the sewer system pipe helps eliminate this cause of unpleasant odor.

Poor sealing

If the tightness of sewer pipes or their connection points is broken, an unpleasant odor will also appear in the room. In this case, a section of pipe or a joint with a leak, which is the direct cause of the smell from the toilet, may not be detected immediately; it is necessary to carefully inspect the entire sewer system.

It is worth noting that difficulties in finding problem areas may arise if there is a hidden installation of sewer pipes. If the problem occurs in this particular place, then you can inhale unpleasant odors for a long time. In addition, in such places, after some time, mold forms, which reinforces the negative.

The location where leaks are detected can be different, for example, a leak in a floor slab. Very often, the cause of the problem of why the toilet stinks and the appearance of unpleasant sewer odors is a poor connection between the corrugated element and the drain pipe. If such a problem area is discovered, it is necessary to replace the corrugation and strengthen the tightness of the junction of individual elements. In most cases, silicone-based sealant is used as a sealant when connecting pipes and corrugations. It is the most reliable material for protecting the junction area of individual elements of plumbing equipment.

Poor ventilation system

The bathroom and toilet are rooms where highly humidified air is constantly present. This is due to regular use of water. To normalize air humidity, it is necessary to install a ventilation system. It also allows you to solve the problem of how to get rid of the smell in the toilet.

Apartment buildings are most often equipped with a natural exhaust system, but its effectiveness is not observed in all cases. You can test the operation of the ventilation system yourself using a regular sheet of paper, which you need to bring to the ventilation hole. If the natural exhaust system works well, the sheet will press against the grille of the ventilation hole, otherwise it will fall to the floor.

A falling sheet of paper indicates a low efficiency of the ventilation system, which is why the toilet smells like sewage. In this case, it is necessary to clean the ventilation ducts. If the desired result is not achieved after preventive measures, more serious measures should be taken and forced ventilation installed.

You can also use a lighter or a lit match. If you bring the fire close to the vent, effective ventilation will draw out the flames. A quiet fire indicates insufficient air extraction from the room.

Most often, an additional fan is installed in an existing ventilation duct and in a ventilation hole in the bathroom.

Installation of a device to eliminate sewer smell from the toilet is carried out according to the following scheme:

Electrical wires are pulled into the ventilation hole.
The mounting points of the ventilation device are marked on the wall.
Holes are drilled in the marked places.
Using special fasteners, the lower part of the fan housing is fixed to the wall.
Connect the power supply wires.
Fix the decorative grille.

To ensure that the forced air exhaust system does not cause problems, you need to clean the ventilation ducts from the accumulation of cobwebs, dust and other debris. It should be noted that fans with a check valve are characterized by the greatest efficiency.

Method 1 – removing odors

Ventilate your bathrooms. Proper ventilation in bathrooms will provide you with constant circulation of clean air. The best way is to install a fan. But don't forget to clean it periodically. The fan can be connected to the light switch button. So, after each use of the bathroom, the air will be purified. In addition to the toilet, a fan should also be used in the bathroom to remove moist air in a timely manner. This way you will avoid mold growing in the bathroom.
Use odor eliminators or air fresheners. Many people have a can of air freshener in their toilet. But an air freshener does not eliminate odors, it only masks them. Therefore, if the smell is strong, then no air freshener will help. In this case, it is better to use an odor eliminator. They work much more efficiently. But choosing such an eliminater will have to be done by trial and error. Therefore, it is better to read reviews on the Internet before making a purchase.
Buy an air purifier. This is a special gadget. If your room has poor air circulation, then this is what you need. The main source of unpleasant odor is bacteria. This device passes air through itself, purifies it and kills all bacteria. The cost of such a device varies from $25 to $250. It all depends on the size of your bathroom.
Try a dehumidifier. Perhaps the unpleasant musty smell in your bathroom is due to high humidity or mold. A dehumidifier is perfect for this case. These are the same granules in bags that are put in shoes. You can buy them online, pour them into a bowl or vase, and place them in your bath or toilet. If you use synthetic desiccant, be careful that animals or children do not ingest them. They may be harmful to health. Natural drying agents are plants such as ferns and lilies.
Make your own air purifier. A homemade cleaner can be much more effective and cheaper than a store-bought one. For one serving of air freshener, mix 3 parts water, one part vodka and 20 drops of an essential oil such as lavender or eucalyptus. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and place it in the toilet. After each use of the bathroom, spray your own freshener. If you don't like the smell of alcohol, you can try mixing 2 cups of water, a tablespoon of vinegar, a teaspoon of baking soda and 10 drops of essential oil.

Errors when installing sewer pipes

An improperly assembled sewage system causes an unpleasant odor even in a new apartment or house after almost the first days of use of the toilet or bathroom. The question inevitably arises as to why the toilet stinks in this case.

It is recommended to lay sewer pipes in accordance with certain norms and rules in order to avoid unpleasant moments and unexpected breakdowns. Violation of these standards can cause low efficiency in the operation of the sewerage system.

The main reason why a toilet stinks of sewage in a room is the incorrect angle of the sewer pipes. The solution to the problem in this situation and eliminating the persistent fetid odor is to completely dismantle the sewer system in the house and install pipes at the optimal angle of inclination.

Also, the smell of sewer gases may appear due to poor seals at the junctions of pipes and fittings. This is especially true when using plastic elements in sewerage installations. You can eliminate the reason why the toilet smells like sewage yourself by installing new seals or replacing the gaskets.

In general, the following should be noted: in order to avoid various problems and the appearance of an unpleasant sewer odor, it is recommended to entrust the design and installation of particularly important communication systems to professional craftsmen.

Solution methods depending on the problem

Before you start studying the question of how to remove sewer smell from a bathroom or toilet, you need to correctly determine the cause of its occurrence. A correctly detected flaw will indicate what to do about the problem.

To check the operation of the ventilation system, use a regular sheet of paper. It must be attached to the grille covering the ventilation hole. If the leaf holds, the traction is excellent, the problem with the smell is not due to ventilation. If a leaf falls, you need to look for the cause of poor traction; perhaps the channels are clogged. Another popular way to test traction is to hold a lit match. With good ventilation, the flame will deflect towards the shaft.

If the problem is not ventilation, proceed to check the drainage in the sinks and bathtub . Open the taps to full pressure and monitor the flow of water into the drain hole. If the water drains slowly, there is a blockage. If the water drains well, but the smell remains, just pour boiling water down the drain, which will clean out the fatty deposits.

If, after checking the ventilation and pipes, there is no answer as to why there is a sewer smell in a private house, check the pipe joints and the base of the toilet for leaks . Place a clean white napkin under suspicious joints and observe. If it gets wet, the joint is not sealed.

If after all the checks the smell remains, it means that the problem is not inside the apartment, but in the common building riser. In this case, you cannot cope on your own; you need to call plumbers.

Troubleshooting ventilation problems

How to get rid of ventilation problems? The first step is to find the cause of the loss of traction. Often, the efficiency of the hood decreases when:

the channels become clogged;
the bathroom doors are pressed too tightly against the frame;
neighbors on the lower floor installed a powerful fan in the shaft.

When assessing, it should be taken into account that on hot days the draft in the ventilation shaft is worse due to the external warm air, which does not allow the internal warm air to escape. To eliminate the difference, you just need to leave the bathroom door ajar.

To determine the problem, you need to remove the grille covering the ventilation hole, and then use a flashlight to look at the condition of the ducts. If debris is found, it is removed with a wire with a bent end, or with your hands.

If a tight fit of the door leaf is to blame for poor ventilation, you can install ventilation holes in its lower part or trim the lower part of the leaf to obtain a small gap.

If the owners do not want to violate the integrity of the door, it is recommended that they simply do not close the door to the bathroom completely, because a small gap will be enough to ensure air circulation inside the room.

The best solution to normalize ventilation in the bathroom is to install an exhaust fan.

Cleaning siphons and pipes

Among the tools of every owner there is a plunger and a metal cable for cleaning pipes in the sewer system. No experience or special skills are required to work with them.

A plunger is suitable when you need to quickly clear a clogged siphon in the kitchen or bathroom. It cannot cope with more severe blockages, especially those located far from the drain. You can read more about this topic in this article.

When working with a plunger, adhere to the following sequence of actions:

the bathtub or sink is filled with water so that the rubber part of the plunger covering the drain hole is completely hidden;
after this, it is enough to make 5-7 sharp movements with the plunger up and down. Pressure is generated in the drain system, which helps to release the siphon from accumulated debris, pushing it further along the drain pipe;
the plunger is removed and the water is turned on again. If it doesn't go away quickly enough, the operation is repeated.

The cable will help cope with the accumulation of debris in distant sections of the pipe. When working with a metal cable, keep in mind that plastic pipes can be damaged by contact with metal, so it is better to clean the cable only in metal pipes.

Procedure for working with the cable:

the end of the cable is pushed through the drain hole until it stops at the blockage;
when the tip reaches the stop, the cable begins to rotate around its axis counterclockwise. In this way, you can hook the garbage and pull it out, or push the plug into the common house riser;
after completion of the work, the cable is removed and hot water is passed through the drain;
To ensure that the cable retains its shape, after work it should be thoroughly washed, dried and applied with protective lubricant.

You can remove the stench not only mechanically, but also chemically.

The market offers ready-made formulations in the form of gels, liquids, powders or granules. When working with them, you must follow the instructions on the packaging or bottle.

You can also deal with traffic jams using home remedies:

pour 200 grams into the drain. soda and leave for half an hour, after which the pipes are cleaned with hot water;
200 ml of vinegar will enhance the effect of soda. The pipes should also be flushed after half an hour;
citric acid is diluted in boiling water and poured into the drain. You can flush the pipes with hot water after the acid stops forming foam.

Joint repair

Traditionally, flax or fum tape is used to seal threaded joints of plumbing pipes, but to ensure a tight fit of drain pipes, sealant is best suited.

When choosing a sealant, you should pay attention to the composition and purpose. You should only purchase plumbing sealants that will provide protection against fungus.

Based on their composition, sealants are divided into the following types:

silicone. They are highly elastic and do not lose their original properties due to temperature changes;
acrylic. Less elastic sealants, but also excellent at retaining water and not sensitive to temperature changes;
polyurethane. This type of sealant has a pungent odor when it dries, but after curing, the unpleasant odors go away. An additional plus is that this sealant can be painted over;
acrylic-silicone. Suitable for sealing any plumbing elements and repair work.

Before starting work with sealant, it is necessary to dry and degrease the seal area. Apply sealant in a continuous line around the entire circumference of the joint.

You can start using the sewer only after the sealant has completely dried. The drying time for each type is different, so before sealing you need to read the instructions for use.

Failure to comply with hygiene standards

Compliance with hygiene rules is one of the first rules that allows you to avoid the appearance of unpleasant odors from the toilet in an apartment or house. Most often, the stench is a consequence of irregular cleaning of plumbing fixtures and untimely flushing of waste products. It should be remembered that the sink, bathtub and toilet require regular cleaning using household chemicals.

To care for the toilet, you can purchase a product in specialized stores that kills germs and solves the problem of why there is a sewer smell in the toilet.

Household products for eliminating odor in the toilet

To fix the problem, you need to understand why there is a smell in the toilet, what caused it. In some cases, this process can take quite a long time, so you can use products to mask unpleasant odors.

In particular, we are talking about the following:

Automatic air freshening devices or aerosols. A solution for solving the problem of what to do if there is a smell from the toilet is placed in a special bottle that can be mounted on the wall of the bathroom. The devices differ in design and method of application. Aerosols release aroma into the air when you press the device, an automatic dispenser releases aroma in certain portions after a certain time during the day. This option is considered the most effective solution to the problem of how to get rid of the smell in the toilet. However, it is worth understanding that this effect is temporary. Gel air fresheners are an alternative option and can also be mounted on a wall or placed on a shelf. Saturates the room with aroma and eliminates unpleasant odors for 60 days. The disadvantage of aerosols and aroma dispensers is that they temporarily eliminate the cause of odor from the toilet. In particular, they do not contain substances that can kill germs, eliminate pollution and solve the problem of how to get rid of unpleasant odor in the toilet.
A sticker strip or block that can be attached to the toilet. Toilet blocks and adhesive strips can be called one of the effective ways to eliminate unpleasant sewer odor. In addition, the products have antiseptic properties, thanks to which they help in the fight against harmful microorganisms. With each flush, the room is filled with pleasant freshness and aroma. Using hanging blocks filled with a refreshing gel allows you to solve the problem of whether the toilet stinks, what to do, and at the same time clean and disinfect the toilet.
A flavored tablet placed in the toilet cistern. This option can be called quite effective in getting rid of sewer smell. The product is placed directly in the drain tank and can color the water green or blue. When the water is flushed, a pleasant smell spreads into the room, and the inner surface of the toilet bowl is disinfected. By using scented cistern tablets, you can not only get rid of unpleasant sewer gases, but also prevent the appearance of urinary stone and rust on the walls of the toilet. The advantages of this method of solving the problem of how to get rid of smell from the toilet include reusable use (the tablet can lie in water for a long time), simultaneous performance of several functions and an affordable price.
Special care products for country toilets or cesspools. The products that are used if a toilet smells in a private home contain special bacteria that help process the contents of the pit or toilet more quickly and eliminate the unpleasant sewer smell.

The appearance of an unpleasant odor from the sewer system requires urgent intervention and a quick solution to the problem. Eliminating the reason why the smell from the toilet penetrates into the room will not only maintain comfort in the room, but will reduce unexpected costs associated with sewer repairs. In addition, knowing how the sewer system and plumbing equipment works will help you save on the services of professional plumbers.

Fighting methods

It is quite possible to cope with odors from the toilet in various ways. Good results can be achieved by:

folk recipes;
fresheners;
purchased cleaning products;
use of acids, alkalis, chlorine.

Complex processing may require a combination of several options. For example, the use of cleaning products and the use of air fresheners.

How to eliminate it using folk remedies?

Simple ways to combat unpleasant odors allow you to use the means and substances that you already have in your household to achieve the effect.

Soda

Baking soda powder tends to absorb odors . In order to refresh the space of the toilet room, you can place a bowl of baking soda in the room.

Vinegar

In cases where the smell needs to be eliminated quickly, a recipe based on table vinegar is suitable. To do this, pour an arbitrary amount of vinegar into a container with hot water.

The hot solution will evaporate, causing the smell of vinegar to cover up the unpleasant odor from the toilet. The effect of this method is not long-lasting.

Soap

Some types of cosmetic soap have such a strong aroma that they can be used as a scenting agent. A few pieces of this soap will solve the problem if you place them in the toilet room. It is advisable to use soap with the same scent .

Coffee

Coffee beans have the ability to emit a fairly strong characteristic odor. You can take advantage of this by pouring some grains into a decorative bowl. You will have to change the fragrance every 1-2 days.

Essential oils

Natural essential oils have a fairly strong aroma. Their scent develops best when heated.

If there are pipes with hot water in the room, then you can drop a few drops of oil onto a damp handkerchief , which should be placed on the hot pipe.

An alternative option is to apply the oil (a few drops) to the switched off light bulb. When you turn on the light, the oil will evaporate, refreshing the room.

Acid and alkali

Caustic soda can be used to clean the toilet and eliminate odors. At its core, it is an alkali.

Application procedure:

Scoop out the water from the toilet.
Pour in the alkali solution.
Leave for several hours.
Treat with a brush.
Rinse off with plenty of water.

Instead of alkali, you can use products with acid - vinegar, citric acid (it must first be diluted in water), etc.

Such products are simply poured into the toilet and left for several hours. After this, clean the surface and rinse with water. For stubborn stains, re-treatment may be necessary.

Preparations with chlorine

Products containing chlorine, such as bleach, allow you to clean the surface of the toilet , disinfect it and eliminate unpleasant odors. The disadvantage of this use is the specific aroma of chlorine itself and the fact that the substance is toxic.

You can use the whiteness gel by applying it under the headband. It is possible to use chlorine-based preparations as a last resort, using personal protective equipment, and only with good ventilation.

Air fresheners

All air fresheners can be divided into three main groups:

Deodorizing air. Such fresheners neutralize molecules that cause an unpleasant odor.
Masking unpleasant odors. Aromatization of the toilet allows you to hide the unpleasant odor, drowning it out with a pleasant one, with a pronounced fragrance.
Combined means. They combine the first two options.

Air fresheners are available in different forms:

sticks,
gel,
aerosol.

How to get rid of it using special sewer cleaning products?

Purchased products allow you to maintain the hygiene of the toilet - they eliminate not only unpleasant odors, but also limescale and other organic pollutants. The rating of toilet and bathroom cleaning products is presented in this article.

Domestos

Domestos series products are designed for high-quality care and cleaning of the toilet , disinfection of plumbing fixtures and removal of blockages. The cleaning solution is produced in gel form, which is well distributed over the surface. The main active substance is sodium hypochlorite.

If the condition of the toilet is neglected, it is recommended to leave the applied product for several hours to work. With regular use, Domestos works faster. After exposure, rinse off the product with water using a brush.

Advantages of use: