Why does my bathroom smell like sewage?

There are many reasons your bathroom might smell like sewage, but the most common is a lack of water in your P-trap. When the water in that U-shaped pipe evaporates, there is nothing to stop gases from the municipal sewer line from entering your home. Other common causes include a broken toilet seal or a blocked roof vent.

How do you get rid of a sewer smell?

To get rid of a sewer smell caused by a lack of water in your P-trap, you can run water into the sink or shower for a few minutes to restore the seal. If the smell persists, it usually indicates a deeper mechanical issue like a leak, a clog, or a broken seal that requires professional diagnosis and repair. We use tools like smoke testing and camera inspections to find the exact source.

Is a sewage smell in a bathroom dangerous?

Sewage releases toxic hydrogen sulfide gas that can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, and dizziness. While it is unlikely that a standard household odor will release enough gas to be immediately life-threatening, long-term exposure is not healthy. Furthermore, sewer gas contains methane, which can be flammable in high concentrations. It is always best to address the odor immediately.

Why does my shower water smell like sewer gas?

If you notice a "rotten egg" smell, especially when the water is running, it is likely due to bacterial growth in your drains or water heater. When hair, soap scum, and organic waste accumulate in pipes, bacteria grow and produce gases such as sulfur. In some cases, it can also indicate high sulfur content in the water, which may require a filtration solution.

How do I fix a clogged drain?

While minor clogs can sometimes be moved with a plunger, persistent clogs that cause odors require professional intervention. We recommend avoiding chemical cleaners and instead opting for professional drain snaking or hydro-jetting. These methods remove the entire blockage rather than just poking a hole in it, ensuring the smell and the backup do not return.

Why does the smell get worse in the summer or after it rains?

In the summer, higher temperatures can accelerate the decomposition of organic matter in the drains, making odors more pungent. After heavy rain, the city's sewer system can experience increased pressure, which may push gases through vulnerable points in your home's plumbing if your venting is not functioning perfectly.

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Testimonials from our clients

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Dr.Pipe Drain and Plumbing

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Joseph Amalraj

Excellent job done by Elvis in fixing bidet ; it was complicated as the pipe ends were of different sizes.

Response from the owner:Hi Joseph. Thank you for your business. Sincerely, Max and Elvis

vito santacroce

We had a shut off valve replacement done, due to the old one leaking. Elvis came out and was so professional. He wasted no time in getting the job done quickly. Thank you to Ron and Dr.pipe for having these professionals working for you. Great Job!!

Response from the owner:Thank you, Vito Santacroce, for your business and review. Call us any time if you need plumbing service. Sincerely, Dr. Pipe.

Will Wong

Had a clog in the pipe under my kitchen sink. Elvis was very nice and informative in explaining the situation on what the issue was and how to further prevent it in the future. The service to fix the problem was quick and not a big mess. Highly recommended.

Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your positive review. Let us know if we can help you. Sincerely, Dr. Pipe.

G Smart

I am beyond happy with the toilet replacement service done by Elvis! He was very nice, explained everything. It's an old house, so not 100% standard and required some elbow grease. He put in a great effort, not just with the replacement, but cleaning the area, and dealing with some tricky parts. The price was also very fair. I would definitely recommend or call again. Thank you, Elvis!!

Response from the owner:Thank you for the good review. Let us know if you need more plumbing work. Sincerely, Max and Elvis

Cheryl Wallach

Elvis was great! He came the same day and fixed everything so quickly. Highly recommend

Response from the owner:Hi Cheryl. Thank you for your business. Always pleasure to work for you. Sincerely, Max and Elvis

Kobra

Can’t say enough good things about this company. Professional, courteous, and really good at what they do. Most importantly, they do professional work for a reasonable rate, unlike most plumbers in town. Add these guys to your Rolodex and forget the rest.

Response from the owner:Kobra, thank you for sharing your positive review! It's very important for us to read such great words. It was a pleasure to help you. Always yours, Dr. Pipe.

DJ Short

Elvis was great, was very respectful, knew what he was doing, very thorough, even retested twice. He put away things back under the sink that he didn’t move, great plumber and would use again, because of Elvis.

Response from the owner:Thank you, DJ Short, for your kind review! We are here to help you with any plumbing-related issues! Best regards, Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing Services.

William Ryu

Elvis did excellent work on what I thought was a sewer drain problem but turned out to be something else. After the first visit, Elvis explained to me in detail his thought process, including drawing diagrams for me on his phone, and gave his recommendations. He then came out for a second visit to install a new toilet and check the drain line, which improved my initial toilet plumbing issue. The work was done carefully, cleanly, and Elvis satisfied my curiosity by answering all my questions while he was doing his work. In the end I feel I can trust these guys to just do work that is required, while keeping my informed, so I understand the what, why, and how. High recommendations from me.

Response from the owner:William Ryu, thank you for your business! Dr. Pipe is really appreciate your review. We were happy to help you. Have a good day!

mtlebay

We were fortunate enough to have the Dream Team of Elvis and Justin come today to tackle our laundry list of issues, which were quickly and efficiently resolved. Elvis remembered us from 2 years ago too! We are very satisfied customers and highly recommend this company--they are great.

Response from the owner:Hi, mtlebay! Thank you for sharing your positive review and desire to recommend us. We are happy to see our clients satisfied. Have a good day!

C T

Elvis was fantastic, trouble shoot leak from main floor bathroom to basement. Helped fixed toilet too and basement sink leak and helped cauked bathroom crack from shower handle to fix leak. Professional and fast, highly recommended!!!

Response from the owner:Hi C T. It’s always a pleasure to help you. We are trying to do the best for our clients. Thank you for your business.

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