Hi, I'm based in Toronto, Canada. Strange smell coming from only one of my bathrooms (I live in a relatively new condo with 2 bathrooms). Smell just started in last couple of months, and I've lived here for almost 2 years. It isn't a sewage or rotten egg smell. On the 'sweet' end of the spectrum, but very strong, cloying, pungent and unpleasant. The smell is almost always there now, though occasionally it seems less present/pervasive. I can't figure out the source. It's still there even after cleaning the sink, toilet, tub and floor. Smell doesn't seem to get triggered by running the taps. The water also doesn't smell bad at all when I run it. There's no significant mold growing in the washroom that I can see. I'm guessing some kind of bacteria might be growing in my drain or pipes? I have used non-toxic cleaners since I moved in without a problem... not sure if there's a connection. I do use this bathroom regularly.

Anyone have any experience with this? [Please try to use plain language in your response, as this is not my area of expertise. Thanks!]
And can you suggest the type of business or professional I should contact to resolve this problem e.g. would a run-of-the-mill plumber know what to do? Thanks!

In plain english, mon1. I live in Cobourg, Ontario, and in Toronto, Ontario you are presently having a garbage strike and I know the streets are littered with refuse. I lived through the last one in Toronto and I can assure you the smell pervading every knook and cranny of the city was absolutely reeking.

You are asking about a cloying sweet smell. My friend, that is the scent of organic decay. Do you not think the affluent is seeping into the Don River, the Humber River and anywhere it can get? That's why you are having the smell in your bathroom.

ms. tickle

I had this problem before. When I had it checked into, the plumber said I had a mold called 'blue mold' and he took care of it.

I would contact a plumber to come out to check it out. If its mold you need to get it out right away.

*edit* and as tickle said above me, it could be garbage rotting :) you never know. No matter what though, you need to locate the smell and get rid of it.