Sorry if this is vague but I am frustrated. I have a 2 story 4 year old tract home in Chandler, AZ. Builder is Taylor Woodrow. It has 3 1/2 bathrooms. One of the upstairs full baths, which is on the east side of the house, has had a strange odor in it for the past few weeks. It really only gets used in the mornings when my husband shaves and sometimes showers in it. It has tile floors, a normal shower/bath. It was cleaned inside and out this weekend by my step-daughter who also complained about the smell (which is like a strong urine). The toilet, floor and shower is clean, yet the smell lingers. I can even smell it walking by the bathroom without even going in it.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing the odor? Where do I start to determine the source of it? None of the other bathrooms smell at all. No other strange scents in the house. Nothing leaking that we can see.

I did see some similar questions on this. Is it possible there is hair or something in the shower or sink drain causing the smell? The bathroom was used by 18 yr old step-daughter when she comes over, and now a 14 yr old step-daughter. I suppose its possible something has built up in the drains.


Update-I just went in there and sniffed around... pretty sure the smell is coming from the shower drain.

How do I get rid of it? Bleach and hot water? Do I need to call a plumber

Thank you,

OK its time for moms home recipe on drain cleaners. Tom the plumber will tell you to pour bleach in all the drains over night but mine is way more fun. Mix a 1/2 cup of table salt with 1/2 cup of baking soda and throw it into the drain and then step back and add a cup of vinegar. Allow to soak overnight followed with a bucket of really hot water. Do this in the sink and tub but not the toilet. Is it a shower/tub or a stand alone shower?

It's a shower/tub.

Should I attempt to pull out all the hair which is probably in there? Like with a screwdriver or something?

Forget the screw driver, it won't snag the hairball. They make a white plastic strip with little barbs on it that can be fed down the drain to pull out hair or you can try a coat hanger with a small hook on the end. Removing the drain plug may be needed.