Hey everyone! I've just moved into a new house, and I've noticed a strange, damp smell coming from a bathroom that hasn't been used since I got here. It smells kind of like the aftermath of a shower, but it's definitely not the same as the other bathrooms. I suspect it might be coming from the toilet tank since there's some mildew and buildup in there. I've read that people don't usually clean their toilet tanks, but is it really something that would cause odors? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
2 Answers
Grab some Borax and hot water, then scrub everything down to get rid of the mildew. Also, removing the caulk around the toilet base is important since it can trap water. Lastly, be sure to check the toilet seal—if the wax ring is bad, it definitely needs replacing.
Make sure you're regularly flushing the toilet and running the sink or shower in that bathroom if it's not being used often. Drains have traps that hold water, which prevent sewer gas from coming back into the room, but if they dry out from non-use, you can end up with odors. If the previous owners left the house sitting for months, that might be why you're smelling it now. Using the bathroom more often should help eliminate the smell, but make sure the traps are filled.
Ahh, this might be it! If I use the bathroom regularly, will that keep the gases away, or could they still persist?
Thanks for the heads-up! Is it common to have caulk around the base of the toilet, or is that a bad sign?