I have methane gas smell in my bathroom. What is causing it? WE have flushed the toilet and then filled the sink trap with water:confused:

Hi, stinky2009!

In what part of your home is the bathroom located please? Also, is there any type of floor drain in the bathroom?

I'm asking about location and a drain because I have a similar problem with a bathroom that's in my basement.

Thanks!

The first thing I would do is sniff around the drains to nake sure the smell didn't come from there. If they didn't smell anything the next step would be to pull the toilet, clean up the old wax seal and reinstall the toilet with a new wax seal. Good luck, Tom

If the smell is coming from a drain, like one in the floor, what would that mean, Tom?

Thanks!

I'm not a plumber, but my limited plumbing knowledge would say the most likely cause would be the wax seal is bad at the toilet flange. However, it could be that you have a clogged vent and when you flush or use other sinks, etc, it's siphoning down the water level in the trap(s) in the room. Start by cleaning the base of the toilet and the floor around it really good and then taping around the toilet to create a seal. The trap for the toilet is the water you see in the bowl and the wax ring seals the bowl to the drain pipe to prevent sewer gasses from escaping. If the methane smell goes away, it's the wax ring. If you flush the toilet a few times and you shine a flashlight into the traps and see the water level has gone down from being siphoned out, it's a clogged vent.

For the wax ring, replace the seal. The flange should be set so that it's about 1/4" above the finished height of the floor. Flange extenders, double wax rings, etc, are options to correct a flange set too low. The toilet should be caulked around the base when set. Did this gas smell problem start after a recent toilet plunging?

If it's the vent that's clogged, you can snake it out.

THere's a few plumbers here to give some more insight.

Hey Speedball, the "Scales above" have disappeared from your posts. FYI

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Hey Speedball, the "Scales above" have disappeared from your posts. FYI

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That's OK Jack! I've been around so long that greenies don't mean anything anymore. Most of us older guys don't care. I like the comments and feedback but as far as I'm concerned they can do away with the "box scores" entirely. Regards, tom

There is no drain in the floor and the bathroom is on the first fllor. I have a full bath on 2nd floor. I had a plumber look at it and he suggested having the vent checked. If that is clear then I'm going to have the wax seal replaced

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Originally Posted by Clough

If the smell is coming from a drain, like one in the floor, what would that mean, Tom?

Thanks!

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I would think the trap seal has evaporated allowing sewer gas to escape. If the floor drain isn't used why not fill the trap with anti-freeze or motor oil and forget it? Regards, Tom

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Originally Posted by Clough

If the smell is coming from a drain, like one in the floor, what would that mean, Tom?

Thanks!

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If you get sewer gas out of a drain that would indicate the trap seal has been lowered to the point of allowing sewer gas to escape. Cheers, Tom

This may not be the problem... But not enough water in the toilet bowl will leave a vent path for gases vapors for the septic tank or sewer system to enter the house. To ensure the toilet bowl is getting the proper amount of water check that the small tubing hose in side the toilet tank is in the tank overflow.(small open pipe above the normal water level). This hose send a side stream of water to the bowl through the tank overflow to ensure adequate amount of water to prevent this problem... Home Medic

Just put water down the drain and there you go it's fixed!! Water just evaporate that's all

Hi homemed, You're three years late with your excellent answer. Check the date before you post. PS** This could also be a ruptured wax seal. Regards, Tom