Have you noticed a strange, foul smell in your bathroom recently? If you have, one of the likely culprits is the toilet – for obvious reasons. While most toilets will run smoothly for years after installation, you should be aware of some of the issues that can arise. Fortunately, many of these problems aren’t too difficult to address and can be identified easily if you know what you’re looking for. So, if your toilet is stinking up the place, read on for some expert advice to help remedy the situation!
Common Causes & Solutions
There are a handful of problems that cause toilets to emit foul odors. Here are a few of the most common ones and some solutions that you can rely on to help you get rid of them.
Evaporated Water
If you’ve just come home from a long vacation and notice that the toilet smells, you may be alarmed. You don’t have to be! When not used for extended periods of time, toilet water in the p-trap, a part that usually blocks gases from returning through your plumbing system’s pipes, can evaporate. As the p-trap uses water to block those gases, it can fail to do its job when said water evaporates.
The fix for this is simple: all you have to do is flush your toilet a handful of times to allow your p-trap to fill back up. Once your toilet’s p-trap has enough water in it again, it will function as it’s meant to, meaning the odor you’re smelling should recede.
This should be your first step when your toilet stinks. If it doesn’t solve the problem, you’ll have to take some further steps to properly address the smell.
Bacteria Buildup
Unsurprisingly, your toilet is a perfect place for bacteria to grow. While regular cleaning will usually ensure that your toilet stays safe and sanitary, the warmer, more humid months often cause bacteria to truly thrive. During this time, missing just one week of cleaning can have a stark and stinky result.
Luckily, this isn’t too hard to combat. First, clean your toilet as you normally would to see if that gets rid of the smell. If a regular cleaning doesn’t fix the issue, use diluted bleach to scrub both the bowl and the tank. It’ll take a little time and elbow grease, but it should be enough to make your toilet smell normal again!
Sewer Gases
If the previous solutions didn’t help, sewer gases may be causing your stink problem. Unfortunately, sewer gas problems are tricky to identify and remedy. From clogged drains to vent pipe problems to broken sealing rings, numerous issues can cause sewer gas to make its way out of your system and into the air you breathe.
Because of this, we recommend that you call a plumber when all other options fail. If you don’t have the right equipment and expertise, figuring out what your problem is can be difficult, and so can fixing it. Instead of drawing out the issues, work with a plumber to have the job done quickly so that you and your family can resume normal life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I contact a plumber for toilet repairs?
Even if you consider yourself a DIY expert, calling a plumber for toilet problems is always the way to go. Plumbers have the tools to locate the problems efficiently and the know-how to get the job done right. Without a plumber, you risk further damaging your system or wasting time addressing the wrong issue.
Are toilet repairs expensive?
Typically, toilet repairs are not that expensive. However, a problem that lies deeper in your plumbing system can potentially increase the repair costs. Working with a trusted local plumber can help you keep your repair costs lower when compared to other companies.
When Your Toilet is Acting Up, Call Joe the Plumber
If you’re in the greater Houston area and your toilet is smelly, not flushing, or generally not working as it should, you need to call Joe the Plumber! We’re the leading plumbing specialists in the region, offering our customers a wide variety of top-notch plumbing services at prices that our competitors simply can’t beat. So, whether it’s your toilet, garbage disposal, hot water tank, or anything else on the fritz, you can count on us for great service and solutions! Give us a call today to schedule your appointment.
