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sfrancia · Apr 16, 2011, 10:45 AM

Hello!

I am renting a "studio" space in an old warehouse. The studio we are in has a 6 or 8 inch drain pipe. The room smells AWFUL! Studio's on either side of us do not have the same smell (with no drain). The owner has put "foil wrap" over the drain, and it is doing nothing. Is there any product (i.e. tape, mixture, etc) that I could put over it to STOP the smell? The drain is no longer used for the room.

massplumber2008 · Apr 16, 2011, 04:40 PM

Hi Sfrancia...

The drain is 6-8 inches, but I'll bet that the drain pipe under the floor drain cover is only 2-3"... ;)

You could install a SURESEAL... click on website link: Home: SureSeal Waterless Floor Drain Trap Sealer

The sure seal seals the trap so it won't allow sewer gasses to flow back into the apartment, but still allows the drain to be used if needed in the future (better than taping over it, for sure). Discuss this with the landlord and he should be glad to pay for it!

Another option would be to simply pour enough MINERAL OIL into the PTRAP to keep the trap wetted... pour enough to fill the trap but not overflow into the drain system. Here, this may be a good alternative as mineral oil evaporates very slowly and won't create a home for bacteria/bugs like cooking oil could. You would, however, need to repeat this every few months or so as the oil would evaporate eventually (but much slower than water would).

Finally, you could also pour a 1/2 gallon of water into the drain each month... should keep any sewer gasses from backing up and into the apartment!

Glad to discuss more if you want...

Mark

ballengerb1 · Apr 16, 2011, 08:04 PM

I agree, go with mineral oil. The trap is likely dried out if its an old warehouse. No water in the trap and your place is a direct vent to the sewer

sfrancia · Apr 18, 2011, 08:46 AM

Thanks to both of you for your help. I have absolutely NO idea about fixing plumbing problems, and have been dealing with this smell for about 6 months. I will try the water/mineral oil. But, should I bother with placing duct tape over the grate as well, or is that just a waste? Thanks again guys!

ballengerb1 · Apr 18, 2011, 09:05 AM

Mineral oil, no water, should refill the trap. With your type of use will there ever be a chance water would be on the floor and that drain would be needed?

sfrancia · Apr 20, 2011, 07:41 PM

Hey Guys!

Okay, just a few more questions and then I will leave you alone.

First, how much mineral oil? Will this get rid of the little "black" gnats that are showing up? So should I use only mineral oil and no water? or should I use a mix. The drain will NEVER be used for any liquid again. Finally, will I know to "re-fill" down the road if the smell returns? Sorry to be such a novice!

Thanks again,

Steve

ballengerb1 · Apr 20, 2011, 08:04 PM

The trap should get water first, likely already has some but add as much as you want. Excess will drain off, then add a cup of mineral oil, it will float on top of the water in the trap and no evaporate like water

sfrancia · Apr 20, 2011, 08:11 PM

Okay! I will try it tmrw. Any thoughts on duct tape over the grate?

massplumber2008 · Apr 21, 2011, 04:49 AM

No need for the duct tape... ;)

sfrancia · May 8, 2011, 07:47 PM

Hi Guys-

Well, I filled the drain with water/mineral oil, but the smell persists after two weeks. Should I put more water in the drain? Really becoming a problem as EVERYTHING left in studio is starting to have the sewer smell permeate. Is two weeks enough time for the smell to go away, or should I be giving it more time? Sorry for the questions...

ballengerb1 · May 8, 2011, 07:52 PM

OK thanks for the update. Is this the one and only floor drain, is there a toilet or tub or sink in this general area?

hkstroud · May 9, 2011, 05:19 AM

You said that this is a 6 or 8 floor drain in an old warehouse. Everyone is assuming that this drain had a trap. You also said that this drain will never be used again.

Remove the grate, stuff some newspaper down the drain about 3 or 4 inches. Mix up a small amount of concrete. Mix it up wet enough to pour. Pour concrete on top of the newspaper, flush with the floor. Replace the grate.

sfrancia · May 9, 2011, 08:50 AM

No toilet/tub or anything. They broke up bigger rooms to make multiple studios to rent out. Not sure if I would get an okay to concrete up floor, but will check. Is that my only real option ?

massplumber2008 · May 9, 2011, 01:25 PM

Cementing over is fine if landlord approves it as it can easily be broken out if you do the paper trick and only fill to 2 inch depth or so, but the mineral oil should have worked... UGH!

Other option is to talk to your landlord...this really should be his/her problem...not yours... ;)

Mark