How do I stop a sewer smell coming from my tub?
Upstairs I have two full bathrooms including tubs. I always shower in one and then use the sinks in the other after showering. After I shower in the first, I notice when I return to the second bathroom that a sewer-like smell emanates from the drain of the tub (which has hardly ever been used.) This smell only happens when I do my shower routine. What is happening and is there any cause for concern? Thank you.
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If you never use the tub the water in the p-trap will evaporate. This is more than likely the cause of the smell. Just run water in the unused tub every now and again to keep water in the trap.
Its function is to create a barrier of water between the interior of your home and the gases in your drainage system of your waste water.
My guess is that the tub which has the smell coming from the drain is probably not used. What is happening is the the drain pipe trap under the drain of this unused tub has no water in it (it evaporated and dried out). Remember, the purpose of the traps under your tubs and sinks is to be always full of water (that is the pipe under all of your tubs and sinks that is shaped like the letter U) so that sewer gases can not get past the water trapped in the U and come out of your sinks and tubs. So, knowing that, your fix for your problem is very simple. Simply pour a couple of glasses of water down the drain of your unused tub. That will fill the trap under the drain preventing the gases from coming out. If you continue not to use this tub, you will have to follow that simple procedure regularly as the water will evaporate out of the trap again over time. Good luck. ...JoeStatenIsland