[jones327]

I have a swere smell in my bathroom that is in a finished basement. The basement was finished by the builder and not done after purchase. There is a studor vent somewhere in the bathroom that is not working so we want to find it and replace it. Where should I start cutting to look. The wall, the ceiling or is there another non-invasive way to find this vent.

[speedball1]

It's always too bad when builders don't follow code. It's against code to wall in a AAV where it can't be replaced or serviced. I would call the builder and ask, If I had to guess AND the bath room group was wet vented I'd open up the wall over the vanity. Good luck, Tom

[ma0641]

How do you know there is an AAV? Could be a bad wax ring on the toilet.

[phoebeisawsome]

I think you should start with the top and bottom of the corners on the walls and then start on the floor corners then the celing it happened with my friend

[ma0641]

i think you should start with the top and bottom of the corners on the walls and then start on the floor corners then the celing it happened with my friend

?? To what are you referring? A studer vent? Never saw one on a floor level!

[phoebeisawsome]

Well my friend had one there but check on the walls and celings

[massplumber2008]

Hi Jones

Tom is correct in stating that the place to start looking is right inside or just above the vanity (behind the mirror or medicine cabinet). Here, if a bathroom group has been WET VENTED the lavatory vent will almost always get the studor vent so it is going to be the best place to start.

Brian also presents a good suggestion in that a bad wax gasket could cause odor issues although this will usually result in staining/mositure at the base of the toilet but it certainly could be worth exploring!

Look inside the vanity.. up high. If the AAV isn't there then as Tom presented, look behind the mirror or medicine cabinet.. most likely the vent will be found there.

Good luck!

Mark