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Sewer gas smell from Bathtub drain
Posted on 1/24/23 at 2:09 pm
Posted on 1/24/23 at 2:09 pm
We have a sewer gas smell from one of our bathtubs. This is a tub that is not used on a frequent basis. I have tried to add water to it and even just added mineral oil to the drain in an attempt to prevent the trap from drying out. The expectation is that the mineral oil doesn’t evaporate very quickly. However within 3 days of adding a gallon of mineral oil to the drain, the smell was back. When I inspected it with my scope it appears to be dry. While not a common issue, I am beginning to think the P trap has a crack in it and is allowing the water to drain out. Anyone have any suggestions or common experiences, or plumber recommendations for Baton Rouge.
8
Posted on 1/24/23 at 2:35 pm to Woodsmaster
Put a bowl under the P-Trap, see if it fills with water.
Posted on 1/24/23 at 2:40 pm to Woodsmaster
Have you tried pouring bleach down the drain?
Posted on 1/24/23 at 2:51 pm to ItzMe1972
The p trap is for the bathtub so it is not easily accessible. We have poured bleach down the drain in the past with no change noted.
Posted on 1/24/23 at 3:19 pm to Woodsmaster
are you sure the drain is vented?
Posted on 1/24/23 at 5:12 pm to Woodsmaster
What floor is the bathroom and if first is it slab or pier and beam? If its not the first floor you should be getting a water stain if the water is draining out?
Ptraps are usually pretty close to the drain. You could probably borrow a camera or even stick something down and see if you hit water?
Ptraps are usually pretty close to the drain. You could probably borrow a camera or even stick something down and see if you hit water?
Posted on 1/24/23 at 5:21 pm to baldona
I have the same problem in my apartment, but I suspect it's coming from the clothes washer drain. I only need to do laundry less than once a week, so I'm just going to start running empty cycles to fill the trap with water. I wouldn't think there was a leak in the trap, since I'm on the third floor, and someone would have complained by now. 
Posted on 1/24/23 at 5:23 pm to baldona
It’s on the first floor, slab construction. I’ve used a boroscope I have and there appears to be no water.
This post was edited on 1/25/23 at 1:27 pm
Posted on 1/24/23 at 5:36 pm to Woodsmaster
That makes sense then. If its not used often, I would strong consider pouring something down there that would seal it. I'm not sure what honestly. That's a shitty probably temporary fix, but replacing it would be a big expensive job.
Posted on 1/24/23 at 5:39 pm to Woodsmaster
I had same. Had to snake entire house from clean out. Your clog could be in the yard to road.
Posted on 1/24/23 at 7:06 pm to Woodsmaster
The vent for the bathtub trap may be blocked. In a case like this-when a trap’s vent is blocked-other users in bathroom (toilet) will siphon the trap water out when flushed. Have seen this before in my experience. Just a thought.
Posted on 1/24/23 at 7:25 pm to HarryCallahan
Thanks. I haven’t checked the vent but will do so.
Posted on 1/24/23 at 10:06 pm to baldona
I’m pretty sure I have a cracked ptrap in a shower. I haven’t scoped it yet, but my plan would be to slowly drizzle pvc glue in hopes to get lucky and plug the crack without restricting the drain.
Posted on 1/24/23 at 10:07 pm to Woodsmaster
I would be sure the vent stack sticking out of your roof for that bathroom is not stopped up. Had any roofing work or anything done in the attic recently?
Also, when you flush the toilet or your clothes washing machine dumps, do you hear any gurgling from that tub drain when the P trap is full?
Also, when you flush the toilet or your clothes washing machine dumps, do you hear any gurgling from that tub drain when the P trap is full?
Posted on 1/24/23 at 10:28 pm to Woodsmaster
I had that problem in a half bath. Turned out to be a cracked flange on the toilet. Was allowing gas to escape. Replaced it and new wax ring and all good.
Posted on 1/24/23 at 11:53 pm to Woodsmaster
quote:
there appears to be no water.
This is your problem. The p-trap only does its intended purpose if it has water enough to block the gas. Pour a glass of water into the drain once a week and you should be fine.
Posted on 1/25/23 at 6:29 am to BawtHouse
I understand how the p trap works however the water doesn’t stay in the trap. If it was evaporation, then the trap should have stayed full for more then a few days when we filled it with mineral oil. However it didn’t and the smell returned in just a few day. that was with no one using this bathroom during this time when we used mineral oil in the drain.
Posted on 1/25/23 at 9:27 am to Woodsmaster
How far down is your P trap? Is it straight down like a sink might be or does your pipe run parallel to the floor first for a bit?
Posted on 1/25/23 at 9:42 am to baldona
Runs parallel to the floor for a few inches then the p trap.
Posted on 1/25/23 at 10:48 am to Woodsmaster
quote:
I’ve used a horoscope
i think you mean endoscope
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