Septic smell - isolate to shower on main level - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

thebone · 2012-05-07, 05:07 AM

Howdy folks.

This issue occurs ONLY in the standup shower on the main level. No sinks or anything.

We just moved in, and the place was vacant for a while. Someone suggested possibly the trap dried up and to run water; how much water do I need to run to fill the trap ?

billpaidJr · 2012-05-07, 08:12 AM

If it has a p-trap then its about 1 liter. Just run the shower a couple minutes.

Jake · 2012-05-07, 08:47 AM

I assume you are using it on a regular basic. If so the p-trap is the source of the smell not the septic lines. Especially if it is partially filled with hair and sludge. I would clean it out as good as possible then fill it with some bleach and flush it out by running the shower. I have had to do that myself.

TKG26 · 2012-05-07, 09:13 AM

Are you on a septic system? How is the main floor flushing performance?

sailmaker · 2012-05-07, 09:44 AM

If you have just moved in then "welcome to my previous world". Above posters here are right. The P trap is likely blocked with someone else's gloppy hair mass which is the YEUCH factor. Use the top bent portion of a wire coat hanger and just breathe out, never in.

We lived with a septic system for 17 years on clay loam and I knew it was early December because the septic smell permeated the house. Long story for another time.

thebone · 2012-05-08, 04:06 AM

OK, I dumped some bleach last night, heading over this am to take some more boxes, will flush the bleach away and see what's up.

jayoldschool · 2012-05-08, 11:19 AM

I bet there is no vent stack from that bathroom...

thebone · 2012-05-09, 05:07 AM

Um, how would I check that ?

LOL

Just to clarify it is ONLY the shower causing the smell. The sink has no stench. The washer and dryer has none.

I got to thinking last night, I've heard some people talk about the trap being dry and what not but now I am wondering, the wash machine hasn't been used in a LONG time.

Basically, we closed May 2. I am gradually moving things over. Big move day is this coming Saturday. However, the house was vacant for a few weeks before closing and even then, it was just the previous owner's kids slowly coming and clearing out their stuff. Possible that the wash machine hasn't been used in well over a month.

Could there be some sort of "shared" system, whereby the wash machine needs to stay active too ?

thebone · 2012-05-09, 05:09 AM

Also, what's the best way to clean a P trap on a septic system ?

I have read some views that Drano is useless. I have seen some places suggest pouring bleach, letting it sit overnight, then dumping hot water down.

Or, should I be looking at snaking it or something ?

Jake · 2012-05-09, 08:49 AM

The bent coat hanger trick mentioned by Sailmaker would work but can be difficult to insert. You can also use baking soda and vinegar to break up the mass.

redzone · 2012-05-09, 09:09 AM

you can get a dril powered auger for under 50 bucks. Over the life span of your ownership you will use it multiple times. i suggest getting one and watching a few videos on youtube.

LONSat · 2012-05-09, 11:54 AM

I can attest to the smell that a mass of decaying hair etc in a trap can create. I had one drain when I moved in to my current place, that until I removed the offending mass would stink primarily when water from the spout was hitting directly over the drain. There was always an unpleasant smell that came back as the water in the trap was disturbed. Using some sort of plumbing snake although gross will probably clear the problem. The bleach will only be a temporary fix until the biomass in the drain is cleared.

57 · 2012-05-09, 12:03 PM

Something like Drano usually works if you follow the instructions exactly and perhaps requires more than one application. If it's stubborn, try a toilet plunger first (after the Drano), rather than a snake. You can usually "hear" the difference between a properly clear P-trap with water running through it properly (gurgling), vs a plugged trap (quiet). A plunger works best when there is a water level in the problem area (put an inch or two of water in the shower if you can and do this when you plan to shower anyway so that it doesn't matter if you get a bit wet) The water works as a "seal" for the plunger. Sometimes the "pulling" of the plunger is just as effective as "pushing" so do both.

Jake · 2012-05-09, 01:03 PM

57 the visual you just created for us is ... well interesting.

But I agree the plunger should loosen the sludge after a treatment to loosen it.

I bet a carefully bent coat hanger (rounded end with a spiral shape ) on a cordless drill would work too. Just don't force it in.

jayoldschool · 2012-05-09, 06:44 PM

Get a proper snake. You should be able to get one at any hardware store. I have one, and it makes quick work of any clogs.

This is the exact one I have:

2012-05-07, 05:07 AM	#1
thebone Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 182	Septic smell - isolate to shower on main level Howdy folks. This issue occurs ONLY in the standup shower on the main level. No sinks or anything. We just moved in, and the place was vacant for a while. Someone suggested possibly the trap dried up and to run water; how much water do I need to run to fill the trap ?

2012-05-07, 08:47 AM	#3
Jake Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gatineau and Ottawa Posts: 10,185	I assume you are using it on a regular basic. If so the p-trap is the source of the smell not the septic lines. Especially if it is partially filled with hair and sludge. I would clean it out as good as possible then fill it with some bleach and flush it out by running the shower. I have had to do that myself. __________________ Tip: See an offending post? Don't reply, report it by clicking on the 'Report Post' icon.

2012-05-07, 09:13 AM	#4
TKG26 Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: OTTAWA Posts: 2,891	Are you on a septic system? How is the main floor flushing performance? __________________ Licenced HVAC TECH: "Without seeing your problem i can only offer suggestions, no warranty is included with my advice"

2012-05-07, 09:44 AM	#5
sailmaker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Burlington Ontario Posts: 546	The YEUCH Factor If you have just moved in then "welcome to my previous world". Above posters here are right. The P trap is likely blocked with someone else's gloppy hair mass which is the YEUCH factor. Use the top bent portion of a wire coat hanger and just breathe out, never in. We lived with a septic system for 17 years on clay loam and I knew it was early December because the septic smell permeated the house. Long story for another time.

2012-05-09, 08:49 AM	#10
Jake Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gatineau and Ottawa Posts: 10,185	The bent coat hanger trick mentioned by Sailmaker would work but can be difficult to insert. You can also use baking soda and vinegar to break up the mass. __________________ Tip: See an offending post? Don't reply, report it by clicking on the 'Report Post' icon.

2012-05-07, 08:12 AM	#2
billpaidJr Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 299	If it has a p-trap then its about 1 liter. Just run the shower a couple minutes.

2012-05-08, 04:06 AM	#6
thebone Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 182	OK, I dumped some bleach last night, heading over this am to take some more boxes, will flush the bleach away and see what's up.

2012-05-08, 11:19 AM	#7
jayoldschool Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,746	I bet there is no vent stack from that bathroom...

2012-05-09, 05:07 AM	#8
thebone Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 182	Um, how would I check that ? LOL Just to clarify it is ONLY the shower causing the smell. The sink has no stench. The washer and dryer has none. I got to thinking last night, I've heard some people talk about the trap being dry and what not but now I am wondering, the wash machine hasn't been used in a LONG time. Basically, we closed May 2. I am gradually moving things over. Big move day is this coming Saturday. However, the house was vacant for a few weeks before closing and even then, it was just the previous owner's kids slowly coming and clearing out their stuff. Possible that the wash machine hasn't been used in well over a month. Could there be some sort of "shared" system, whereby the wash machine needs to stay active too ?

2012-05-09, 05:09 AM	#9
thebone Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 182	Also, what's the best way to clean a P trap on a septic system ? I have read some views that Drano is useless. I have seen some places suggest pouring bleach, letting it sit overnight, then dumping hot water down. Or, should I be looking at snaking it or something ?

2012-05-09, 09:09 AM	#11
redzone Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,027	you can get a dril powered auger for under 50 bucks. Over the life span of your ownership you will use it multiple times. i suggest getting one and watching a few videos on youtube.

2012-05-09, 11:54 AM	#12
LONSat Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 486	I can attest to the smell that a mass of decaying hair etc in a trap can create. I had one drain when I moved in to my current place, that until I removed the offending mass would stink primarily when water from the spout was hitting directly over the drain. There was always an unpleasant smell that came back as the water in the trap was disturbed. Using some sort of plumbing snake although gross will probably clear the problem. The bleach will only be a temporary fix until the biomass in the drain is cleared. __________________ Living in the land of the mayor that won't do the right thing.

2012-05-09, 12:03 PM	#13
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,301	Something like Drano usually works if you follow the instructions exactly and perhaps requires more than one application. If it's stubborn, try a toilet plunger first (after the Drano), rather than a snake. You can usually "hear" the difference between a properly clear P-trap with water running through it properly (gurgling), vs a plugged trap (quiet). A plunger works best when there is a water level in the problem area (put an inch or two of water in the shower if you can and do this when you plan to shower anyway so that it doesn't matter if you get a bit wet) The water works as a "seal" for the plunger. Sometimes the "pulling" of the plunger is just as effective as "pushing" so do both. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2012-05-09, 01:03 PM	#14
Jake Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gatineau and Ottawa Posts: 10,185	57 the visual you just created for us is ... well interesting. But I agree the plunger should loosen the sludge after a treatment to loosen it. I bet a carefully bent coat hanger (rounded end with a spiral shape ) on a cordless drill would work too. Just don't force it in. __________________ Tip: See an offending post? Don't reply, report it by clicking on the 'Report Post' icon.

2012-05-09, 06:44 PM	#15
jayoldschool Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,746	Get a proper snake. You should be able to get one at any hardware store. I have one, and it makes quick work of any clogs. This is the exact one I have:

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