[Suzy Moffatt]

Two years ago, we had remodeling done in our bathroom; new tile, new sink, and countertop. About 6 months after the work, we began to smell a mildew smell which seemed to come from around the sink and pipes. It was very strong. Several weeks after we started smelling the mildew, a plumber came out to unstop a clogged commode line, and when asked about the smell, suggested that we reseal the commode bottom which might be allowing the smell. My husband resealed the commode and 3 days later, the smell was completely gone. That was last April. In December, the smell came back. We thought that maybe the commode had come loose and my husband resealed it again. It did not help. Now the smell is worse than ever. It permeates our bedroom and clothers and wafts into the rest of the house. I've been reading suggestions from the internet, so I've tried bleach and water in the overflow, vinegar and soda down the sink drain, letting it sit overnight. All of those help from a short while, like several hours, but it always comes back strong. The only other clue I can think of is that overnight, it seems to settle down and I don't smell it until after we have used the bathroom for the morning. Then here it comes for the rest of the day. Oh and my husband got on the roof and checked the pipe to see if anything was clogging it. It seemed open. I'm going to have to leave my house if we can't figure out something soon.

[ballengerb1]

We need to get our smells right. A bad seal on the comode is actually a failed wax ring and the smell you get is not mold, its raw sewage and you won't mistake that smell, is that what you smell?

[Suzy Moffatt]

No, it's not raw sewage. I thought that was what I would smell if it was the commode, but since we stopped smelling the mildew the first time that my husband resealed the commode, I assumed that was the problem. I realize now that it must have been coincidence because when he resealed it the smell continued. It's really mildew smell rather than sewage smell. It seems to come more from under the sink around the pipes.