Hi all-
I have a new, 3 story condo, with periodic septic smell permeating out of the master bath area only. To mitigate this, I cover the shower drain with a rubber cover, and close the toilet seat and sink drain, but I can still smell it, (today worse than ever)!

I'll check the CC&Rs, and home warranty for possible coverage, but I thought perhaps one of you might know of a "green" (or not) remedy I can do myself (?) I do have Liquid Plumber gel, but wonder if I should for this purpose (with no clog)...

:eek:

Put away the Liquid Plumber, no clog and it only works on TV. Try a few things like taping down cellophane or plastic wrap over the shower drain to eliminate it as a source. All drains have traps and vents so the sewer gas is always there but usually gets channeled up to your roof line. It could also be a bad wax ring under the toilet. I assume you have an exhaust fan, turn it on to help pull more gas into the room so you can better trace it. Do you have any fixture in the MB that is never used?

Thank you so much for helping so quickly!

As far as MB fixtures not being used, there are none. I can smell gas wafting up the shower drain mostly. There seems to be a bit coming up the sink drain today, and I smell none coming from the toilet, (or around the floor area there).

I have two other baths, and none have these issues.

In terms of the basic homw warranty, do you happen to know if this would be covered under "Systems: Plumbing?"

I do not know what kind of warranty they gave you but I can bet they will say its not covered, that's how many home warranty companies are trained to answer the question. Try taping plastic wrap over your shower drain for a day to see if the odor stops. You may have a clogged vent stack that causes your traps to get siphoned which allow sewer gas inside.