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If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of being in a bathroom and catching a waft of rotten eggs or some other unpleasant smell then you’re not alone.
Chances are, it’s coming from your toilet and no matter how hard you try to ignore it or cover it up with air freshener and various scents, the issue still persists.
In this article, we will explore what could be causing these foul smells and provide helpful tips to help diagnose, identify and remediate any underlying problems related to why your toilet smells like rotten eggs.
What you are smelling is a gas called hydrogen sulfide (H2S) which originates directly from raw sewage flowing through pipes. If it’s coming from the septic system, bacteria may be to blame. On the other hand, if your water supply is causing a stink then only one pipeline could be at fault.
What causes a toilet to smell like rotten eggs?
There are several causes of a toilet smelling like rotten eggs, including:
Bacteria
Certain bacteria in your toilet, such as sulfate-reducing bacteria, multiply and produce hydrogen sulfide gas, which has a distinct smell of rotten eggs.
Sewer Gas
Sewer gas from bad seals around the toilet drain opening or from a dry P-trap.
Water Supply Issues
A malfunctioning water supply line can cause an unpleasant odor from the pipes running to the toilet bowl. This could be caused by corroded pipes, buildup of organic matter in the pipes, or a faulty seal.
Blockages
Another common cause of toilet odors is blockages from items flushed down the drain. If these blockages are not cleared, an unpleasant sewage smell could be present in your bathroom for weeks.
How to identify the source of the smell?
To identify the source of the smell, you need to do a few things:
- Check for any signs of water damage around the toilet such as discoloration or mould.
- Look inside the toilet bowl and check for buildup of organic matter or blockages.
- Examine any pipes running to the toilet and make sure the seals are not broken or leaking.
- Inspect the septic system and look for any signs of bacterial growth which could be causing a rotten egg smell.
How to fix a smelly toilet?
Once you have identified the source of the smell, then there are a few things you can do to help fix it.
Chemical Cleaners
You can use chemical cleaners to help reduce the smell and kill any bacteria that may be causing it.
- DISSOLVES HAIR, SOAP, TOILET PAPER & FLUSHABLE PERSONAL CARE WIPES: Forget the dirty work of…
Unclog
Remove any buildup or blockages in the toilet bowl with an appropriate cleaner, tool or flush the toilet with a bucket of water. The best way to prevent blockages is to never flush anything other than waste and toilet paper down the toilet.
- Heavy-duty force cup made of high-quality rubber creates a strong seal on any toilet or drain…
Call A Plumber
If there is a broken seal or leaking pipe then call a plumber to fix the issue.
If your septic tank is to blame then make sure you have it regularly cleaned and maintained by a professional. This will help reduce any odors coming from the tank and keep it running efficiently.
By following these steps, you can hopefully eliminate any unpleasant smells coming from your toilet and restore peace to your bathroom.
Preventing a smelly toilet in the future
To ensure that your toilet remains odorless in the future, it is important to take some preventive measures.
Clean Regularly
It is important to clean your bathroom regularly and pay particular attention to cleaning around any seals or pipes running to the toilet.
Regular Maintenance
Make sure you have your septic tank maintained on a regular basis by a professional. This will help keep any bacterial growth and odors at bay.
Avoid Blockages
Finally, make sure that you never flush anything other than waste and toilet paper down the toilet to avoid any blockages or buildup in the pipes.
Summary
To prevent a toilet from smelling like rotten eggs, it is important to identify the source of the smell and take action accordingly. This could be due to sewer gas, bacteria in the septic system or water supply issues. Chemical cleaners, unclogging and calling a plumber are all potential solutions to this issue.
To ensure that your toilet remains odorless in the future, make sure to clean regularly, keep up with septic tank maintenance and avoid flushing any items other than waste and toilet paper down the toilet.
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