I have a relatively new shower stall in my ground floor bathroom (about 5 years old), and I've been noticing a faint sewage gas smell after using it for just a couple of minutes. This smell goes away quickly, almost like the system burps or something. I've checked the P-trap and it's definitely not dry, plus I don't see any clogs or issues. Anyone have ideas on what could be causing this?
3 Answers
I had a similar issue, and it ended up being a loose connection behind the P-trap. Tightened it up and the smell went away! Another time, I found a crack in the connection between the vent pipe and the cast iron stack in my attic. I capped it off and wrapped it well, not the prettiest fix but it’s held up for years. You might want to check if your toilet's vent could be clogged too, as that can mess with the P-trap.
You might want to check if your foundation vents are working well or if there are issues with the ridge or soffit vents. Sometimes bad ventilation can cause this kind of smell. Also, consider the installation by your plumber; there might be a hiccup there.
It sounds like your P-trap might be getting suctioned out due to improperly installed drain pipes. In my experience, using an S-trap instead of a proper P-trap can lead to those sewage smells surfacing. Also, if you're not maintaining a consistent water level in the drain, that could be contributing to the problem. Check for proper venting as well, especially if there's a vent stack nearby your shower drain that could be blocked or damaged.
Yeah, not easy to check if it's under another floor, but definitely worth the look if you can access the venting.
Totally agree! A proper vent is crucial. If it's being sucked out, you might need to investigate that vent in the attic or wherever it connects.