[depollack]

I have a smell coming from under my bathroom sink. I just had the sewer cleaned out by Roto Rooter but the smell did not go away. I am not on a septic tank. Any ideas?

[ballengerb1]

You may have a venting problem. The smell could come inside if the trap was dried out but then the smell would be in the sink, not uder it. The smell may be coming through the wall opening where the lateral drain comes to the trap. Did roto rooter rod your vent stack too?

[depollack]

I have a smell coming from under my bathroom sink. I just had the sewer cleaned out by Roto Rooter but the smell did not go away. I am not on a septic tank. Any ideas?

Thanks for replying. No they only did the main drain. Under the sinks (all of them) I have some kind of vent with check valve on it in case water comes up. Its called Studor Mini-vent. It seems to be working. The smell doesn't knock you over. It is slight just a enough to piss you off and not all the time. DP

[ballengerb1]

I replied to your PM with replacing that AAV under the sink. I think its failed you.

[massplumber2008]

Hi Guys.

DP... I think maybe that studor mini vent may be defective... or it was not put back in correctly.

My GUESS is that the studor mini-vent is defective. It happens once inawhile. Here, when a fixture drains, the studor vent allows just enough air into the drain to allow the waste to be self scouring and to drain well.

If the spring mechanism becomes defective, for whatever reason, the studor vent not only allows air into the drain, but can also let some sewer gasses escape. That sounds like what you are smelling, and why it is that it is not an issue all the time.

I would replace the studor vent. It is quick and easy enough... just spin out counterclockwise and take to nearest home supply store and purchase a new one. Also purchase a container of pipe dope... then pipe dope the threads of the new studor vent and install... hope that does it for you.

OH! And the fact that this odor coincides with the rotorooter guy... unless he climbed under sink and removed the studor vent and snaked down the drain (which it does not sound like he did)... then it just may be a coincidence. Let us know what you think.. ok?

[depollack]

Thanks. The company is here in Tampa Florida and I'll give them a call. However it is not doped in. It's just sitting on top with a rubber gasket. It's snug but not like the one in the kitchen. I love this web site. DP

[ballengerb1]

Although I might try applying some plumbers grease to that gasket and reinstall, replacing the AAV is probably the best appraoch.

[depollack]

I'll try that. Thank you. Dave

[ballengerb1]

This is a bit strange. The site tells me wdoxie made a post to this question but I sure can't see it??