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-   -   Rust smell in overflow pipe (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=601517)

  • Oct 6, 2011, 01:11 PM
    sjvanderaa
    Rust smell in overflow pipe
    I have a Kohler Archer tub with a slotted overflow attached. We use this tub/shower at least once per day. In the past few months - I have noticed an odor coming from the overflow - it has a rusty/musty kind of odor. Surprisingly, the odor isn't coming from the drain. To test this out - I taped the overflow shut and see if the smell continued. It stopped in that bathroom. However, it then started smelling in the downstairs bathroom - but only in the sink overflow - the drain is fine. Does this sound like a clogged vent pipe - or something worse? I have cleaned/bleached everything numerous times, and there doesn't appear to be a problem with the water flow.

    http://www.bathroom-glass-vanities.com/bath-tub-kohler-k-1123-la.html?utm_source=PriceGrabber&utm_medium=ppc&utm _campaign=kohler-bathtubs&utm_par1=color&utm_term=K-1123-LA-00
  • Oct 7, 2011, 05:28 AM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    have a Kohler Archer tub with a slotted overflow attached.
    By "slotted overflow" are you referring to the rectangular overflow built into your soaker tub?
    Is the smell there all the time or just when you drai? Any bubbles or gurgling?
    Did the downstairs sinks stop smelling when you removed the tape from the tub overflow? More details please. Back to you, Tom
  • Oct 9, 2011, 04:53 PM
    jrg973
    You may have hit the nail on the head. Try one thing though, make a stroug solution of Bleach and water.
    1 gal bleach to the tub, once the tubis full let it overflow for a good while. Just before you toun the water off tap some Flashmans yeast at the overflow so it gets sucked in, immidiatly turn off the water and drain the tub. Some yeast should stay in the overflow overnight. This will start disolving any bacteria/sluge in the overflow. Clean pipes are far better then dirty ones. Good luck.
  • Oct 10, 2011, 05:54 AM
    sjvanderaa
    Yes, referring to the rectangular overflow in the soaker tub. The smell is there all the time, but actually a little less after someone takes a bath or a shower. No bubbles or gurgling. The downstairs sink didn't stop smelling after we removed the tape from the tub overflow. However, I bleached the sink overflow this weekend, and it has smelled better. I flushed it with quite a bit of bleach. I did the same with the tub overflow - but am not getting the same results.

  • Oct 10, 2011, 06:12 AM
    speedball1
    Did you pour full strength bleach down the tub overflown or did you simply add it to a tub full of water and let it overflow? Back to you, bTom
  • Oct 10, 2011, 06:24 AM
    sjvanderaa
    I poured the full strength bleach down it - and let it sit for a few hours - then flushed it.

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