Your bathroom is your own little retreat, but one that’s easy to mess up! From dirty grout lines to clogged drains, there are plenty of things you can do wrong when it comes to keeping your bathroom clean and smelling fresh. To help you prevent bathroom smells from infiltrating your space, a professional plumber in Toronto recommends the following five reasons why your bathroom smells bad and how to fix them!
Photo by Dan Smedley
The first thing you should do when your bathroom smells bad is check that you don’t have a dried up water trap under your sink. These traps collect the sewage and oils that flow into your sink and hold them there until it’s time for a drain cleaning.
If they dry up, the sewer gases will come back up through the drain and into your bathroom, where they’ll give off their distinctive smell. Put some water in the trap every now and then so it doesn’t get too dried out. This way, any odors can be captured before they make their way back up the pipes.
A cracked or broken sewer pipe is the most common cause of a bathroom odor. Sewer gas from a leaky pipe can seep into the house through sinks and drains, causing both unpleasant odors and unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide in poorly ventilated areas. If your home has plumbing that is several years old, you may have had a crack or break that has gone unnoticed until now. If this is the case, it is time to call an emergency plumber in Toronto! Sewer pipes are usually made out of clay or concrete.
Clay pipes are older, but they are still used today because they are less expensive. They tend to be broken easier because they are brittle and very hard to patch up once damaged. Concrete pipes are stronger and last longer, but they cost more money upfront as well as during maintenance costs later on down the line. Both types will eventually need some kind of repair at some point in their life span so make sure that you know what type of pipes your home uses before making an emergency phone call to a plumber!
A dirty bathroom is a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which causes the unpleasant odor. In order to combat this, clean your toilet with some bleach and water every week. To make sure that you’re getting all of the dirt off of your floor, wipe it down with a wet rag as well. This will remove any residue from shoes or other objects that are tracked in from outside.
If there’s an unpleasant odor coming from your bathroom sink, then you might have too much soap buildup on the drain cover. Using vinegar or baking soda can help alleviate this problem by breaking up the grime so it can be washed away more easily. Check under your sink to see if anything has spilled onto the ground and use a wet cloth to get rid of any dust bunnies.
Lastly, while we’re talking about sinks, if they have standing water on them then they might also be contributing to odors! Make sure that they dry after each use by placing towels underneath them before turning them on.
Photo by PAN XIAOZHEN
If your bathroom smells bad, it could be due to leaking pipes. Pipes can leak for a variety of reasons, but in order to fix the problem you’ll need to identify where and what is leaking. If the leak is coming from your faucet or shower head, turn off the water valve that controls those sources and see if the smell goes away.
If not, you’ll need a plumbing Toronto expert who specializes in pipe leaks and installations. If you notice that the smell persists after turning off the water at the source, then there may be something amiss with other fixtures like your toilet tank. The liquid inside the tank might have become stagnant and started to decay, which will cause an awful stench. Talk to a professional for assistance.
Biofilm is something that forms on the insides of drain pipes. It’s made up of bacteria and other organic material that is not washed away by regular cleaning. Over time, this buildup will cause your bathroom to smell bad because it will produce malodorous gases. You will have to use products that are specifically meant to clear out germs and bacteria. It is ideal to hire a plumbing service that specializes in drain cleaning and drain repair Toronto.
Bathrooms are some of the most humid and warm spaces in your home, which makes them the perfect spot for bacteria and mold to flourish. When you’re not taking care of your bathroom, you can unknowingly cause it to smell bad—and no one wants to use a smelly bathroom! Frequently inspecting your bathroom for plumbing issues and making necessary renovations should keep it fresh and hygienic at all times. Talk to a professional plumber specialized in toilet repair in Toronto if you have questions.