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gam43 · Jun 18, 2009, 02:15 PM

I hope I'm in the correct category -- I'm new to this site.

I have been smelling something that reminds me of sweat or onions in one of our bathrooms. At first I thought it might be in the drains, but used drain cleaner and it didn't seem to help. I've now narrowed the source down to the shower. It may be in the drain but I'm thinking it might be in the sub-floor beneath the shower. We had a problem at one time with the floor of the shower feeling insecure; they repaired it by cutting out the sheet rock in the ceiling of the bathroom beneath the shower and reinforcing the floor beneath the shower. Maybe moisture has gotten between the floor and the reinforced area.

Anyway, has anyone ever experienced a strong odor that started as described (reminiscent of onions or sweat) and then got worse over time? Could that be the smell of mold or does anyone have any other ideas? The shower is one of those prefab things --no wood/tile/grout. This is driving me crazy! :eek:

Catsmine · Jun 18, 2009, 02:55 PM

This one might go in "plumbing" better.

The "onions" odor does sound like decaying plant matter. Has it gotten stronger or more "rotten?"

blood_viper187 · Jun 19, 2009, 09:16 AM

I used to work as a meat cutter for a grocery store. Pour a bit of bleach down that drain and see if that stops the smell.:)

gam43 · Jun 19, 2009, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Catsmine

This one might go in "plumbing" better.

The "onions" odor does sound like decaying plant matter. Has it gotten stronger or more "rotten?"

YES, it's getting stronger by the day. We're going to try bleach as suggested the former meat cutter (THANK YOU!) and then I guess it's on to the horrible possibility that we have to have a new shower installed for untold numbers of dollars! :(

gam43 · Jun 19, 2009, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by blood_viper187

I used to work as a meat cutter for a grocery store. Pour a bit of bleach down that drain and see if that stops the smell.:)

We're definitely going to try that. Is the definition of "a bit of bleach" a tablespoon, a cup, a whole bottle?? :D

Catsmine · Jun 19, 2009, 12:01 PM

At least a cup of bleach, don't be stingy. If the drain cleaner was an enzyme type it may be still working on the crud in the pipe and causing odors. The enzyme types can take a couple of weeks to finish working.

Is there any mildew or discoloration around the outside of the shower? A "no" would indicate that it's not so much a moisture and growing mold problem as perhaps a dying mold problem.

gam43 · Jun 19, 2009, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Catsmine

At least a cup of bleach, don't be stingy. If the drain cleaner was an enzyme type it may be still working on the crud in the pipe and causing odors. The enzyme types can take a couple of weeks to finish working.

Is there any mildew or discoloration around the outside of the shower? A "no" would indicate that it's not so much a moisture and growing mold problem as perhaps a dying mold problem.

Thanks -- there's no discoloration anywhere so I'm thinking it's inside SOMEWHERE. I'll pray it's the drain and not the sub-floor. Really appreciate your advice!

Catsmine · Jun 19, 2009, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by gam43

Thanks -- there's no discoloration anywhere so I'm thinking it's inside SOMEWHERE. I'll pray it's the drain and not the sub-floor. Really appreciate your advice!

Optimism Rules!!