Check out some similar questions!

opeggisu · Sep 15, 2008, 04:22 PM

Hi I have been smelling this really bad smell in the guest bathroom. I thought it was coming from the toilet but I just opened the shower door and it has a sewer smell really bad. Do you have any suggestions other than the bleach. I know there is no build up of hair or grease because we have only used the shower a couple of times. Our home is 20 years old! Please Help!

massplumber2008 · Sep 15, 2008, 04:36 PM

Opeggisu:

Have you been pouring water down that drain periodically?

You should be dumping about a 1/2 gallon of water down the shower drain monthly to keep the shower p-trap from evaporating and allowing sewer gasses into your home.

Right now, sewer gasses are entering into the home. Pour 1/2 gallon water down drain and do this monthly OR you could also pour some mineral OIL or cooking oil in the drain and that will keep drain from drying out... but do this only if not planning to use for a long time and check drain every couple months to be sure no refill needed.

Let me know what you think...

MARK

Milo Dolezal · Sep 15, 2008, 05:20 PM

As Mark correctly advises: keep the trap wet at all times. Make it a habit to turn shower on once a week just for that reason.

ballengerb1 · Sep 15, 2008, 06:01 PM

Mark may have written mineral spirits but we know he meant mineral oil. That is unless he want you to start you toilet on fire. I use plain, cheap vegetable oil to keep unused traps wet.

opeggisu · Sep 15, 2008, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Opeggisu:

Have you been pouring water down that drain periodically??

You should be dumping about a 1/2 gallon of water down the shower drain monthly to keep the shower p-trap from evaporating and allowing sewer gasses into your home.

Right now, sewer gasses are entering into the home. Pour 1/2 gallon water down drain and do this monthly OR you could also pour some mineral spirits or cooking oil in the drain and that will keep drain from drying out...but do this only if not planning to use for a long time and check drain every couple months to be sure no refill needed.

Let me know what you think...

MARK

Thank you for your help... Should I put the water in and then add oil.

massplumber2008 · Sep 16, 2008, 03:28 AM

If not using the shower for awhile then you should just add the oil for now. Use a wet vac. To suck the trap dry and then pour oil into drain until it reaches just above draining level... see picture of trap below.

And Bob is correct I meant mineral OIL... :) Changed it at my post above. Thanks Bob!