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Firriao · Oct 5, 2009, 01:54 PM

Home tear down. Rebuilt. 2nd story bath has a horrible smell when the wind blows. Plumber said distance between subfloor and floor of bathroom too small for peadrain and methane gas comes up through shower, tub, and sinks(2) I thought there was no smell w/ methane. What could be causing smell? Is it toxic? If I run water down all the drains the smell goes away. VERY concerend... I have a 12 yr. old. Please help. Many thanks. P.S. I live very close to a sewage treatment plant. If I ever sell the house will this be a problem?

hkstroud · Oct 5, 2009, 02:21 PM

Plumber is full of it, or you are misunderstanding. What is peadrain? Do you mean P trap. That is a type of trap used to connect sinks to drain line. Does he mean that there wasn't enough room between the bath floor and the ceiling to in stall a trap for the tub or shower. If he means that he didn't install a trap because there wasn't enough room, then he should be hung up by his thumbs. Sounds like you have a blocked vent pipe. That is evidenced by the fact that if you pour water down the drain the odor goes away. If that plumber did the work, you may not have a vent.

Methane has no odor but sewage does.

Tell us more.

Firriao · Oct 5, 2009, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Plumber is full of it, or you are misunderstanding. What is peadrain? Do you mean P trap. That is a type of trap used to connect sinks to drain line. Does he mean that there wasn't enough room between the bath floor and the ceiling to in stall a trap for the tub or shower. If he means that he didn't install a trap because there wasn't enough room, then he should be hung up by his thumbs. Sounds like you have a blocked vent pipe. That is evidenced by the fact that if you pour water down the drain the odor goes away. If that plumber did the work, you may not have a vent.

Methane has no odor but sewage does.

Tell us more.

Yes... p trap too small between the floor of the bathroom and the sub-floor is what the plumber told us... he was called in after the fact... is the smell toxic to me ort my 12 yr old... will it impair the eventual selling of the house? Is the sewage plant one block away a factor? Should I leave and go to a hotel and hide out in fear... I had a husband... but he is gone... it is just me and my 12 yr. old daughter... am desperate for advice... thank you so much and God bless you for you time and efford in helping people. What to do w/ a 'blocked vent pipe" except tear out the entire bathroom?? P.S. have no idea who the plumber was who did the original work... this was an entire tear down and rebuild, due to mold.used prisoners from the jail if you can believe that... the main question is... is it safe to sleep here for my daughter and me... the smell makes me want to vomit. If not methane, than what??

KISS · Oct 5, 2009, 07:28 PM

Here is a simple version of the effects of sewer gas:

Indoor Air -- Sewer Gas

You can do a Google search for "msds hydrogen sulfide" and "msds methane" for specific info.

A "P trap" , "s trap" or "j trap" is nothing but a u shaped section of pipe which prevents sewer gas from escaping into the home.
Your toilet has one built into the toilet and that "U" thing in the drains for your sinks etc, hold a bit of water.

Unused showers or sinks can cause the water to evaporate. Pouring 4 cups of vegetable oil down an unused drain will not evaporate.

Can you take a picture of the vent stacks on the roof that might serve the second floor? You can post using "go advanced/manage attachments". There's a possibility they aren't high enough or have other problems.

If the vent is clogged, it can be fixed by running a snake from the roof.

If any of your fixtures gurgle, this is a sign of a plugged vent.

It's odd that you said sink, tub and sinks. If indeed it's all of those fixtures, then the vent is suspect.

If it's one, then it could be no trap or non-use.

Now it is possible that the wind could be forcing things down the stack too. That can be fixed as well.

Because you added "wind", I suspect another issue, so I'd like to see the layout of the pipes on the roof relative to any overhangs, etc.

If it really is wind, you can install AAV's with the proper cap on the roof vent.
e.g. http://www.plumbingsupply.com/autovent.html
This will prevent wind from pushing bad gas into the house.

hkstroud · Oct 5, 2009, 07:57 PM

No the sewage plant is not a factor in this problem. It might be when trying to sell you home but is not part of this problem. I would say that continued exposure to methane would be a health hazard, but no you don't have to run hide in a motel just yet.

I'm not sure that I buy what the plumber is telling you. I think you mean that there is not enough room between the bath floor and the ceiling below to install a trap. I don't buy what the plumber is telling you. I don't think you could have a floor joist that will support the floor and be to narrow to install a trap. If you did you would just let the trap extend through the ceiling. You must have a trap.

Look under the sink, you should see a bend in the drain pipe. That is a place for water sit and block sewer gases from coming back into the house. You must have traps or pouring water down the drain would not stop the smell. The problem is that water going down the drain will pull all of the water out of the trap if there isn't a place for air to come in. That is what a vent pipe does. It connects to the drain after the trap and allows air to come in. Vent pipes eventually go through the roof so that sewer gas escapes to the outside.
If you pour a small amount of water in each drain the water will fill the trap and block the sewer gas. If you have a blocked vent pipe or don't have one, the next time flush the toilet or use a large amount of water, the water going down the pipe will pull the water out of the trap and the gasses will come in.

I think you need to have another plumber look to see it the bath room has proper venting. In the mean time keep the sink and tub drains closed. Get one of those flat rubber tub stoppers about 3 or 4" in diameter and put over the shower drain.

ballengerb1 · Oct 5, 2009, 08:34 PM

Where do you live? P trap and J traps are not inside the floor except for tubs and showers, sinks have them directly under the bowl like Harold said.

Firriao · Oct 6, 2009, 02:01 PM

My guess is the smell is coming from mainly the shower, then the tub... but I am almost certain that a few times I smelled the sink. My husband says it has something to do w/ the wind...

Firriao · Oct 6, 2009, 02:10 PM

P.S. The plumber said that the peas in the shower and the bath tub were to short or small? Not sure, since he spoke to my husb. I can't contact him as he is on an oil rig in the middle of Mexico for god knows how long... sometimes months at a time... but I have a friend who does maintenance on the house next door. When I see him, I will ask him to read these posts. Thanks again... god bless!: