We have had a smell coming from our upstairs bathtub drain for several years. We built the house 7 years ago so it's quite new. In the past 3 years, we have had 3 different plumbers out and they couldn't find anything wrong. We ran two smoke tests....and they were both fine. The p-trap is working good and the vent seems fine. They seemed to feel it's the products the boys are using, so we tried all different stuff and it still smells. It's almost like a urine smell but I assure you they aren't urinating in the shower. The smell seems to show up about 10 minutes after you use the shower. We have also tried taking the drain apart and soaking the pieces in bleach. We have cleaned the drain with a variety of solutions: baking soda and vinegar, bleach and over the counter drain cleaners.....nothing works. And, no it's not the toliet, we replaced the wax ring as well. We also have two bathroom sinks in the room which don't smell at all. I'm ready to rip out the bathtub, but then what do I do? Help me
COMMUNITY FORUM
I would try an oil of peppermint test and see if that produces a smell inside the home.
Also sometimes some things go down a drain and do not fully pass the trap and this can cause capillary action (like the wick of an old cigar lighter) thus depleting the trap seal
Some installers especially with non ferrous piping fail to support the plastic drain lines properly and as the system is in use some of the drain lines can slip causing the trap to pitch and lose its seal thus allowing fumes to enter.
There could also be a small hole or a defective joint and a smoke test will not show any defects inside the walls.
Try the oil of peppermint and then see what happens as it is very safe and non destructive.
good luck...
Sylvan
It is far better to have a gun and never need it THEN need a gun and not have one
Also sometimes some things go down a drain and do not fully pass the trap and this can cause capillary action (like the wick of an old cigar lighter) thus depleting the trap seal
Some installers especially with non ferrous piping fail to support the plastic drain lines properly and as the system is in use some of the drain lines can slip causing the trap to pitch and lose its seal thus allowing fumes to enter.
There could also be a small hole or a defective joint and a smoke test will not show any defects inside the walls.
Try the oil of peppermint and then see what happens as it is very safe and non destructive.
good luck...
Sylvan
It is far better to have a gun and never need it THEN need a gun and not have one
