Smell from toilets ?

bigdog · 02-28-2010, 09:59 PM

I have a smell coming from 2 of 3 toilets in the house.?
No, it's not what you think I flushed !

No.... after any flush, there is an odor which smells like septic? Is this a result of a bad or blocked 'vent pipe' ?

If so, who would you suggest I ask to check this issue. A plumber?

Thanks,
BD

wifi · 03-01-2010, 04:00 AM

If the smell is coming from the toilet area, and it flushed normally (it all went down, and the water refilled the bowl),
when was the last time the wax seal was replaced?

You can get 'em at Lowes/HD, and its a DIY, if you don't mind wrestling around a toilet. Depending on your setup, you might want to think about replacing the water feed tube as well.

Have fun !

fatlazyless · 03-01-2010, 06:00 AM

For about two dollars, any hardware store has the aproximately 5" wax ring w/ rubber flange, and installing means removing the toilet from the floor, scraping out the old leaky ring, and replacing.

How much to get a local licensed plumber to install? Good question......maybe one hundred dollars? ....not sure......anyone know?

dpg · 03-01-2010, 12:12 PM

Replacing the seal is a so-so job. As you can tell from my "hole in the wall post" I'm no mr. fixit and I've done a wax seal before. If your not confident with home repairs ore at least don't have a couple "fairly strong" people to pick up the hopper have a plumber do it or at least a friend that's done it before. The toilet needs to go back onto the new seal very smoothly (another words you cannot "cock" it putting it back. Certanly it's "do-able" yourself but read up on it first (google.)

Eagle · 03-01-2010, 03:57 PM

It sounds like a blocked vent pipe to me. Unfortunately I don't know how you would test for that.

Rattlesnake Guy · 03-01-2010, 06:56 PM

Are the sinks making noise when the water is flushed in the toilet?
Does the toilet suck air at the end of the flush longer than it did previously?
Can you see the floor from underneath? (Cellar crawl space? Wet? Dry?)
Does air bubble up when the water goes down the toilet? (Splash up during flush)

RLW · 03-01-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy

Are the sinks making noise when the water is flushed in the toilet?
Does the toilet suck air at the end of the flush longer than it did previously?
Can you see the floor from underneath? (Cellar crawl space? Wet? Dry?)
Does air bubble up when the water goes down the toilet? (Splash up during flush)

If you can answer any one or more of the above questions you should be able to get a good cause of your problem. I'm on the side that it isn't the vent pipe if there is water in the bowl as that would keep all odors out.

bigdog · 03-01-2010, 11:02 PM

FYI....
-Sinks do not make any noise when the water is flushed in the toilet?
- Toilet does not suck air at the end of the flush.
- Does air bubble up when the water goes down the toilet.
- Cannot see the floor from underneath.

Smell seems to be coming from 2 of 3 toilets. One appears fine!

If it was 'vent pipe, wouldn't smell be coming from all toilets?

I have replaced 3 toilets in other property recently, so installing wax ring is not new to me or a concern. On other property, I had done ceramic tile work in all 3 baths, so I had to use the 'jumbo' wax ring to compensate for the tile.

Could the wax rings be the actual problem here ? The toilets are fairly new, and possibly inproperly installed with wax ring, or incorrect size was used?

Thanks,
BD

RLW · 03-02-2010, 06:09 AM

Thread #8 leads this writer to believe it is nothing more than a seating problem with the toilets. When tile is laid on the floor we change the flange to make it the proper height not using a larger wax rings.

bigdog · 03-02-2010, 08:32 AM

Thanks RLW, I have to agree.... Sounds like an improperly installed
toilet wax-ring issue. When I have time, will re-install with new wax-ring.

BTW, when the person who installed one of toilets, used floor flange bolts on toilet twice as long as needed, and not the 'break-off' type.
Consequently, I have these two bolts that stick up aboove toilet base,
and then he just put the decorative caps on top of the bolts. They don't even cover the bolts, caps just hang on top of bolts! Definitely a botched toilet installation job, by someone who didn't know what they were doing I guess?

BD

SIKSUKR · 03-02-2010, 09:12 AM

BD, If you have water in your tiolet traps, which you do, a plugged vent should have nothing to do with your smell. Your toilets also would not flush properly or would try to pull air in from another fixture on the same line. I would reseat the toilets and while your at it, either get new flange bolts or simply saw off the extra with a hacksaw but not while attached to the toilet. Hold the waste end of the bolt in a vice while sawing off as much is needed. I like to put a nut on first so after sawing through, when removing the nut it cleans up the threads from the saw action. In effect, rethreading the bolt. Bolts are very inexspensive so I would go that route.

RLW · 03-02-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

Thanks RLW, I have to agree.... Sounds like an improperly installed toilet wax-ring issue. When I have time, will re-install with new wax-ring.
BD

If you go with the new ring and not replace the flange with the proper size, use a ring with a boot attached. Don't ask what it is, just get it at any hardware store. It will give some extra protection.

jmen24 · 03-03-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

FYI....
-Sinks do not make any noise when the water is flushed in the toilet?
- Toilet does not suck air at the end of the flush.
- Does air bubble up when the water goes down the toilet.
- Cannot see the floor from underneath.

Smell seems to be coming from 2 of 3 toilets. One appears fine!

If it was 'vent pipe, wouldn't smell be coming from all toilets?

I have replaced 3 toilets in other property recently, so installing wax ring is not new to me or a concern. On other property, I had done ceramic tile work in all 3 baths, so I had to use the 'jumbo' wax ring to compensate for the tile.

Could the wax rings be the actual problem here ? The toilets are fairly new, and possibly inproperly installed with wax ring, or incorrect size was used?

Thanks,
BD

If your wax ring has a hole large enough to allow the odor through you would definately have a water issue as well, everytime you flush. Even if the water was leaching below the flooring you would know. Thinset mortar becomes soft as it is exposed to water and plywood will swell.

Is is truely a sewer smell or just a musty water smell. If a musty water smell than take a few minutes and clean the tank of the toilets really well. A scum can form in the tank that then gets transfered to the bowl. The idea is to not only clean the tank, but to flush out the chase channels that bring water into the bowl.

Having worked in property management for 5 years prior to my current job, I was responsible for all the maintainance of 240 low income apartments accross the state. I have not seen a failed wax ring cause a sewer smell in an apartment, at least one that was overly strong, just a faint hint, there were a couple that were off gasing badly, but the toilet would flood the apartment when flushed. I have changed alot of those damn things.

Anyway it is cheap insurance to change the wax ring and SIK's idea on the bolts is a good one, new snap off are fine as long as they are snapped properly, after the toilet is installed is NOT the time to perform the snap, it will ruin your flange as well as possible damage the toilet.

When you pull the toilet, stick it in the tub, or bring it outside and throughly hose it off, inside and out to clear those channels.

SIKSUKR · 03-03-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmen24

If your wax ring has a hole large enough to allow the odor through you would definately have a water issue as well, everytime you flush.

Unless there is a restriction downstream, the water should generally drop straight down past the wax ring and not necessarily out the opening. I have had a toilet smell problem solved replacing the ring and never had it leak.

bigdog · 03-03-2010, 09:12 PM

I think I'll start with simple solutions first. 'KISS' right ?

A good tank cleaning as JMEN24 suggested will be the first task.
If toilet still smells after that, will change wax ring as SIKSUKR mentioned.

Have installed 3 toilets in other house recently, and agree, it''s no big deal or take rocket science !

May not tackle wax ring replacement for a week or so, too many other issues
currently dealing with, but definitely will get back to Forum with results.

Thanks,
BD

ITD · 03-03-2010, 10:09 PM

Bigdog, replacing the ring should be a ten minute job. I'm thinking you may find that it has been leaking for a long time causing rot and other issues. If that's the case then it will take longer than 10 minutes, but at least you will have figured out the problem. I would think that if a dirty tank were the problem, it would be apparent when you took the cover off. I would also do some exploring, the pipe could have a leak beyond the toilet.....

jmen24 · 03-04-2010, 09:23 AM

Good luck with the repair Bigdog.

02-28-2010, 09:59 PM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Smell from toilets ? I have a smell coming from 2 of 3 toilets in the house.? No, it's not what you think I flushed ! No.... after any flush, there is an odor which smells like septic? Is this a result of a bad or blocked 'vent pipe' ? If so, who would you suggest I ask to check this issue. A plumber? Thanks, BD

03-01-2010, 06:00 AM	#3
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,525 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	For about two dollars, any hardware store has the aproximately 5" wax ring w/ rubber flange, and installing means removing the toilet from the floor, scraping out the old leaky ring, and replacing. How much to get a local licensed plumber to install? Good question......maybe one hundred dollars? ....not sure......anyone know? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

03-02-2010, 06:09 AM	#9
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	Thread #8 leads this writer to believe it is nothing more than a seating problem with the toilets. When tile is laid on the floor we change the flange to make it the proper height not using a larger wax rings. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.

03-02-2010, 08:32 AM	#10
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Toilets smell Thanks RLW, I have to agree.... Sounds like an improperly installed toilet wax-ring issue. When I have time, will re-install with new wax-ring. BTW, when the person who installed one of toilets, used floor flange bolts on toilet twice as long as needed, and not the 'break-off' type. Consequently, I have these two bolts that stick up aboove toilet base, and then he just put the decorative caps on top of the bolts. They don't even cover the bolts, caps just hang on top of bolts! Definitely a botched toilet installation job, by someone who didn't know what they were doing I guess? BD

03-02-2010, 09:12 AM	#11
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	BD, If you have water in your tiolet traps, which you do, a plugged vent should have nothing to do with your smell. Your toilets also would not flush properly or would try to pull air in from another fixture on the same line. I would reseat the toilets and while your at it, either get new flange bolts or simply saw off the extra with a hacksaw but not while attached to the toilet. Hold the waste end of the bolt in a vice while sawing off as much is needed. I like to put a nut on first so after sawing through, when removing the nut it cleans up the threads from the saw action. In effect, rethreading the bolt. Bolts are very inexspensive so I would go that route. __________________ SIKSUKR Last edited by SIKSUKR; 03-03-2010 at 01:44 PM.

03-01-2010, 04:00 AM	#2
wifi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 1,321 Thanks: 282 Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts	If the smell is coming from the toilet area, and it flushed normally (it all went down, and the water refilled the bowl), when was the last time the wax seal was replaced? You can get 'em at Lowes/HD, and its a DIY, if you don't mind wrestling around a toilet. Depending on your setup, you might want to think about replacing the water feed tube as well. Have fun !

03-01-2010, 12:12 PM	#4
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,560 Thanks: 149 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	Replacing the seal is a so-so job. As you can tell from my "hole in the wall post" I'm no mr. fixit and I've done a wax seal before. If your not confident with home repairs ore at least don't have a couple "fairly strong" people to pick up the hopper have a plumber do it or at least a friend that's done it before. The toilet needs to go back onto the new seal very smoothly (another words you cannot "cock" it putting it back. Certanly it's "do-able" yourself but read up on it first (google.)

03-01-2010, 03:57 PM	#5
Eagle Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 48 Thanks: 24 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	It sounds like a blocked vent pipe to me. Unfortunately I don't know how you would test for that.

03-01-2010, 06:56 PM	#6
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Are the sinks making noise when the water is flushed in the toilet? Does the toilet suck air at the end of the flush longer than it did previously? Can you see the floor from underneath? (Cellar crawl space? Wet? Dry?) Does air bubble up when the water goes down the toilet? (Splash up during flush)

03-01-2010, 11:02 PM	#8
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Smelly Toilets FYI.... -Sinks do not make any noise when the water is flushed in the toilet? - Toilet does not suck air at the end of the flush. - Does air bubble up when the water goes down the toilet. - Cannot see the floor from underneath. Smell seems to be coming from 2 of 3 toilets. One appears fine! If it was 'vent pipe, wouldn't smell be coming from all toilets? I have replaced 3 toilets in other property recently, so installing wax ring is not new to me or a concern. On other property, I had done ceramic tile work in all 3 baths, so I had to use the 'jumbo' wax ring to compensate for the tile. Could the wax rings be the actual problem here ? The toilets are fairly new, and possibly inproperly installed with wax ring, or incorrect size was used? Thanks, BD Last edited by bigdog; 03-01-2010 at 11:03 PM. Reason: spelling

03-03-2010, 09:12 PM	#15
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Smelly Toilets? I think I'll start with simple solutions first. 'KISS' right ? A good tank cleaning as JMEN24 suggested will be the first task. If toilet still smells after that, will change wax ring as SIKSUKR mentioned. Have installed 3 toilets in other house recently, and agree, it''s no big deal or take rocket science ! May not tackle wax ring replacement for a week or so, too many other issues currently dealing with, but definitely will get back to Forum with results. Thanks, BD

03-03-2010, 10:09 PM	#16
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,860 Thanks: 461 Thanked 666 Times in 366 Posts	Bigdog, replacing the ring should be a ten minute job. I'm thinking you may find that it has been leaking for a long time causing rot and other issues. If that's the case then it will take longer than 10 minutes, but at least you will have figured out the problem. I would think that if a dirty tank were the problem, it would be apparent when you took the cover off. I would also do some exploring, the pipe could have a leak beyond the toilet.....

03-04-2010, 09:23 AM	#17
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	Good luck with the repair Bigdog.