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Posted by John on October 8, 2005, 11:21 am
Hey everyone,
I'm having a heck of a time finding the source of a sewer gas smell in the
upstairs bath. I'm on a private septic system (tank & field)
Smell is only in the upstairs bath, and only near the toilet area. Can't
pinpoint any exact sources. Can't detect smell from sink or shower drain.
I assumed it was the toilet wax ring, so I replaced that. No change. Next
thing I did was to remove toilet altogether and seal up the drain hole with
seran wrap & rubber bands. No help. All drains seem to work fine. I wondered
if it was the vent pipe plugged so ran a hose down the pipe from the roof-
it runs trhough just fine, I can hear the water running out the main pipe to
the septic tank main pipe.
Could it be bad wax ring let some stink onto the plywood floor where the
toilet sat? Wife is scrubbing that now.
Can't seem to find the source!
Septic tank could use pumping, we moved in less than a year ago, but I'd
expect that to effect other drains too, especially the downstairs bathroom.
Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Johny B
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Posted by Amun on October 8, 2005, 12:23 pm
show/hide quoted text
> Hey everyone,
> I'm having a heck of a time finding the source of a sewer gas smell in the
> upstairs bath. I'm on a private septic system (tank & field)
> Smell is only in the upstairs bath, and only near the toilet area. Can't
> pinpoint any exact sources. Can't detect smell from sink or shower drain.
> I assumed it was the toilet wax ring, so I replaced that. No change. Next
> thing I did was to remove toilet altogether and seal up the drain hole
with
show/hide quoted text
> seran wrap & rubber bands. No help. All drains seem to work fine. I
wondered
show/hide quoted text
> if it was the vent pipe plugged so ran a hose down the pipe from the roof-
> it runs trhough just fine, I can hear the water running out the main pipe
> the septic tank main pipe.
> Could it be bad wax ring let some stink onto the plywood floor where the
> toilet sat? Wife is scrubbing that now.
> Can't seem to find the source!
> Septic tank could use pumping, we moved in less than a year ago, but I'd
> expect that to effect other drains too, especially the downstairs
bathroom.
show/hide quoted text
> Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated!
> Thanks,
> Johny B
Just wondering if you say it's only in the one spot.
And you seem to have checked all the normal sources
(traps all filled)
do you have a vent fan there ?
In my last house a bird got trapped in one and died.
We just about went nuts trying to locate where the smell was getting in
As it only happened when the fireplace was burning and negative house
pressure pulled in the smell in through the vent fan
AMUN
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Posted by John on October 8, 2005, 2:29 pm
show/hide quoted text
> Just wondering if you say it's only in the one spot.
> And you seem to have checked all the normal sources
> (traps all filled)
> do you have a vent fan there ?
> In my last house a bird got trapped in one and died.
> We just about went nuts trying to locate where the smell was getting in
> As it only happened when the fireplace was burning and negative house
> pressure pulled in the smell in through the vent fan
> AMUN
Yes, it seems to be in that spot only. I've removed the toilet altogether so
that trap can't be a problem. Shower or sink trap? Unless the trap is
siphoning out..we run that water alot. Plus, sticking my nose right up to
the other drains does not provide the smell.
No vent, except for a window.
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Posted by Jimmy on October 8, 2005, 11:41 am
show/hide quoted text
>> Just wondering if you say it's only in the one spot.
>> And you seem to have checked all the normal sources
>> (traps all filled)
>> do you have a vent fan there ?
>> In my last house a bird got trapped in one and died.
>> We just about went nuts trying to locate where the smell was getting in
>> As it only happened when the fireplace was burning and negative house
>> pressure pulled in the smell in through the vent fan
>> AMUN
>Yes, it seems to be in that spot only. I've removed the toilet altogether so
>that trap can't be a problem. Shower or sink trap? Unless the trap is
>siphoning out..we run that water alot. Plus, sticking my nose right up to
>the other drains does not provide the smell.
>No vent, except for a window.
Are you sure you don't have a failed auto vent in the wall?
If they stick open they can stink up the place bad.
These nasty things were often put in if a toilet or sink was not close to the
stack.
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Posted by John on October 8, 2005, 7:02 pm
show/hide quoted text
> Are you sure you don't have a failed auto vent in the wall?
> If they stick open they can stink up the place bad.
> These nasty things were often put in if a toilet or sink was not close to
> the
> stack.
I can't say that we don't, but the main vent does run up through a wall just
a few feet away. The vent seems ok. I ran a garden hose of water down it and
could hear the water runing strong in the main septic pipe in the basement.
I can't imagine the pipe breaking in the wall, there's nothing tp cause it.
And, no water showed up on a wall or ceiling.
To rule out the septic tank, we're having it pumped this wednesday.
I'm about to lock the door and just get used to the downstairs bathroom.
-JB
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> I'm having a heck of a time finding the source of a sewer gas smell in the
> upstairs bath. I'm on a private septic system (tank & field)
> Smell is only in the upstairs bath, and only near the toilet area. Can't
> pinpoint any exact sources. Can't detect smell from sink or shower drain.
> I assumed it was the toilet wax ring, so I replaced that. No change. Next
> thing I did was to remove toilet altogether and seal up the drain hole