You enter your bathroom, eager for a refreshing shower, when it hits you suddenly: an odor so strong and nasty that it nearly knocks you off your feet. Your bathroom drain smells like sewage, and pretty soon, the rest of your home does, too.
Why does your bathroom drain stink so badly, and what can you do about it? Discover the top causes of a smelly drain below, then call our trusted plumbers in Mission Hills, CA, at Point Loma Electric and Plumbing for help.
Top Reasons Why Your Bathroom Drain Smells Like Sewage in Mission Hills
Your bathroom may smell awful for a number of reasons, some of which you can fix yourself and others that’ll require a plumber’s help.
Unchecked Bacteria Growth
Perhaps the simplest reason why your bathroom smells foul is that the toilet needs a good cleaning. Over time, bacteria can build up in the toilet, causing it to smell like sewage. This can happen even if your toilet looks clean. Don’t be fooled; it’s still a bacteria factory!
To solve the problem, add some toilet cleaner, or a mixture of bleach and water, to the bowl and scrub well. Let the solution sit for a few minutes, then flush. Repeat as necessary until the odor fades.
You’ve Got a Nasty Drain Clog
You wouldn’t normally think of your shower as the source of a nasty sewer odor. If you’ve been neglecting your shower drain, though, you may have a clog causing that stench.
The good news is that you can usually fix small clogs yourself. Try a plunger first. If that doesn’t work, dissolve some baking soda in a cup of vinegar and pour it down the drain. This mixture may dissolve the clog. Still having trouble? If your bathroom drain smells like sewage, call us for help.
There’s a Sewer Backup in Your Home
In some cases, the sewage system in your Mission Hills neighborhood may get congested, causing sewer gas (and sometimes waste) to back up into your drains. Usually, the problem fixes itself within a few hours. If it doesn’t, or a large volume of waste is coming up through your drains, call a plumber.
If you frequently suffer from sewer backups and your bathroom drain smells like sewage more often than not, we may suggest installing a backflow valve to prevent gas and waste from making their way through your drains.
Your P-Trap Is Dirty, Dry, or Broken
The P-trap is a section of curved pipe designed to trap sewage odors and stop them from entering your home. If you don’t use your sink frequently, the P-trap can dry out. To fix it, simply run the water for a couple of minutes.
P-traps can get dirty over time, too. If this happens, you’ll smell a musty odor rather than sewage. A baking soda and vinegar solution may get rid of the grime.
If neither of these fixes works, the P-trap may be broken. You’ll need a plumber’s help to fix it.
Your Toilet Has a Broken Seal
Your toilet has (or should have) a wax or rubber seal around the base. This seal is designed to prevent sewer odors from entering the bathroom.
Whether or not you’ll need a plumber depends on the damage. If it’s just a small crack, apply a dab of caulk and let it dry. If the whole seal has degraded, you’ll have to hire a plumber as replacing the seal involves removing the toilet.
Your Septic Tank Is Full
If you have a septic tank, this is one of the first culprits you should suspect when you smell sewage. A bad odor could mean that your tank is full and needs emptying.
You can empty the tank yourself or hire a crew to do it for you. If you go the DIY route, be sure to dispose of the waste at a treatment facility.
What to Do if Your Bathroom Drain Smells Like Sewage in Mission Hills, CA
If your bathroom stinks and you can’t fix it yourself, the smart thing to do is call a plumber. We’ll inspect your pipes with a camera to look for blockages and damage. Depending on what plumbing issues we find, we may suggest drain cleaning, repairs, or sewer replacement.
Point Loma Electric and Plumbing is Mission Hills’ go-to choice for plumbing services. We’ve proudly served the area since 1988 and have hundreds of happy customers. If your bathroom drain smells like sewage or you’d like expert tips on preventing shower drain clogs, call us to schedule service today.
