Reasons and TOP 15 methods for eliminating unpleasant odors from pipes in the bathroom
Unpleasant smells in the apartment do not make you feel comfortable in your own home. Most often, the stench appears due to malfunctions in the systems of the house. To restore a pleasant atmosphere, it is necessary to know how to eliminate the smell of the pipes in the bathroom. You need to have simple skills and abilities to do it yourself.
What health damage can cause
Usually people believe that the smell of the bathroom in the house, except for discomfort, does not bring anything. But this is not the case, because households inhale ammonia fumes, hydrogen sulphide. The air contains methane impurities.Inhaling toxic fumes every day, tenants suffer from nervousness, they have a feeling of anxiety, anxiety, irritability for no reason.
Mold grows on the walls due to humidity. Mushrooms enter the human body, from which it begins to hurt. It develops pathologies of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract. Prolonged stay in the room will lead to severe poisoning. Long-term exposure to methane has a negative effect on the vegetative system of residents, which causes a nervous tic in the eyes. And oxygen deprivation of brain cells causes weakness, nausea, dizziness and low blood pressure.
The device of the drainage system
The components of the sewage system include:
- pipes of different diameters needed to drain water from the bathroom;
- ventilation and sanitation risers;
- pressure manifold;
- water drain pipes.
Not only the bathroom, but also the shower room is connected to the system in a private house. The lowest point in the system is the waste water outlet. A ventilation valve is installed on top. This point is located above all water intake nodes. The functions of the valve include sealing the system so that harmful gases and odors are not allowed into the room.
At the lowest point terminated by a siphon, connect all system outlets to the manifold. This includes a bathroom, a shower cabin. All pipes must be sloped towards the collecting well.An ideal sewer system has no sharp 90 degree turns and there are no height differences in a branch.
The main reasons for the appearance of an unpleasant odor
A foul-smelling cocktail of germs seeps into the bathroom for a variety of reasons.They hide in the appearance of cracks in the pipes, malfunctions in the sewage and ventilation systems.
Design errors
Self-installation of the sewage system leads to the fact that the system begins to malfunction. The ventilation rising fan in the bathroom, in the event of an error in the design and installation, lets odors into the house due to a breakdown of the hydraulic meter. If the installation of sewer pipes does not not start from the lowest point, they will malfunction in the form of sewage leaks.
Incorrect tilt angle
It is necessary to lay pipes with a slope, the angle of which depends on their diameter. If this is not done, the water will stagnate and leak. The smell of rot will spread throughout the apartment.
Siphon malfunction
Blockages, icing of pipes lead to the fact that stagnant air will press on the siphon. Gas bubbles come out, hence the stench throughout the apartment. The reason for the increase in pressure is that the diameter of the pipes is not selected correctly.
Leaks
The rigid fastening of the pipe joints ensures their tightness. But as soon as cracks form at the junction, dampness and stench appear.
Ventilation issues
Proper installation of the ventilation riser will not allow air to stagnate in the bathroom. Moldy, moisture will disappear if the ventilation system duct is cleaned in time.
blockages
Blockages in the pipes occur as a result of debris, hair, wool getting into them. Dirty bathroom drains won't fit through narrow aisles. This creates a blockage and causes unpleasant odors in the house.
How to find the source of the problem
Most of the causes of bad odors in the bathroom can be solved on your own. But for this they establish why and where the dampness and stench come from.
Verification of the operation of the ventilation system
A piece of paper is placed against the ventilation grille in the bathroom. If it deflects inward, then the thrust inside is normal. You can also check the operation of the system with a match or a lit candle, a lighter. The flame must engulf itself in the ventilation duct.
Sewer system check
The next step is to check all the sewer pipes. A napkin is carried out in places where a leak is possible. It could be broken pipes. Detected leaks are a source of mold and odors in the bathroom. Incorrect slope is detected using a level. Next, check the drain in the sink.
Checking sinks and bathtubs
Whether the sewer is clogged is determined by how the water leaves the bathroom and the sink. To do this, open the taps at full power and watch the drain. Slow water drainage indicates problems.
Inspection of the seams of the elements of the sewerage system
Rotting smells quite often come out of the pipes at their junction. The binding weakens over time. And the cast iron pipes begin to rust at the joints, which leads to depressurization.
Solutions to the problem
Quickly correcting the situation with the pipes will allow you to refresh the air not only in the bathroom, but throughout the house. It is not worth starting the problem, because it can adversely affect the health of the household.
Improved traction
There are several ways to get rid of a bad smell in the bathroom by increasing the draft of the ventilation system:
- Shaft blockages are eliminated using the installed fan. It turns on automatically, spraying dust and dirt particles.
- The airlock in the ventilation is removed by opening the bathroom doors at night.
- Objects that have fallen into the mine are lifted with a special device, shining a flashlight.
- The axial fan is installed on the ceiling.
- Holes are made at the bottom of the doors to circulate air in the bathroom.
These actions are enough to eliminate unpleasant odors.
Cleaning
Sewer blockages are cleared in different ways. Special devices or chemical concentrates must be used. Sometimes you can get away with simple means.
Mechanical
For clearing blockages in bathroom pipes a plunger is required. They close the drain hole. Then fill the tub or sink with water so that it covers the bottom of the plunger cap. Then make movements with the elastic cap from top to bottom.
If after the procedure the water begins to drain rapidly, the blockage is removed. Otherwise, the operation is repeated several times.
For metal pipes, cable cleaning will be effective. A metal product is passed inside the hole and pushed further with clockwise rotational movements. With a rope, you can remove the plug from debris, dirt. After that, hot water is poured into the hole in order to break down the fatty deposits in the pipes. The cable is washed in soapy water, wiped dry, lubricated with machine oil and stored in a dry place.
If there are no devices at hand, unscrew the siphon or the bypass pipe, remove the stuck litter, wash it with soapy water.
Folk remedies
Smells of ammonia and mold are removed from the sewer pipes in the bathroom using improvised means. Every housewife has substances that can clear the blockage in the pipes.
Salt
Put 3 tablespoons of salt in a glass of hot water. Pour the solution into the opening of the bath, let stand overnight. You can pour salt down the drain and pour boiling water over it.
soda and vinegar
Eliminate the stench of congestion in the drainage system with a mixture of baking soda and acetic acid. The substances break down the layers of dirt and grease inside the pipes. They are taken in equal quantities, and oatmeal is placed in the drain. Then hot water is poured. After 2-3 hours, a fresh smell appears in the room.
"Alka Seltzer"
Hangover tablets do a good job of clearing blockages in pipes. Throw 2 tablets of the medicine into the opening of the bathtub or sink. A glass of vinegar is also poured into it. Rinse under running water after 5 minutes.
Mustard
For strong odors in the bathroom, you can use mustard powder. The substance is poured down the drain, then hot water over it. After only 10 minutes, water drainage will be restored.
"White"
Chlorine-containing liquid is suitable for dealing with congestion in the sewage system. It is necessary to pour the solution into the hole. After 20 minutes - hot water. And the smell will disappear, the drain will work quickly.
Professional remedies
When the tools at hand can't cope with pipe cleaning, powerful concentrates come to the rescue.They are based on acids and alkaline compounds which break down into pollution.
"Domestos"
The tool is used not only for cleaning tile products, but also for drains, drainage. As part of "Domestos":
- sodium hypochlorite, disinfecting and degreasing the surfaces inside the pipes;
- Surfactants that help the product dissolve better;
- disinfection soap;
- perfumes that drown out unpleasant smells.
Dilute 50 ml of product in 5 liters of water or use undiluted.
"Mole"
Sodium potassium hydroxide is one of the best remedies for blockages. A chemical acid acts as a filler. Mole substances can dissolve and break down deposits in the pipes. Pour 200ml of cleaning fluid into the drain hole. If powder is used, it is poured and poured with hot water in the amount of 2 glasses. After 1.5-2 hours the remedy will work. It remains only to flush the system with water.
"Hyphen"
The concentrated liquid with a pungent odor quickly cleans the plumbing drain. A 250 ml product is poured into the tube. After 5-15 minutes, repeat the procedure, taking 100 ml of thick gel. Then 2 liters of hot water are poured into the sink. After this procedure, the blockage will disappear. Cleaning is carried out in rubber gloves, protecting the respiratory system with a mask, eyes - with goggles.
"Sterile"
The disinfectant is a white powder. The working solution is prepared at 1 or 2% before the sewage cleaning procedure. It is poured into the sink hole, left for half an hour. At the end, rinse with lukewarm water.
"Potcan"
The chemical is used to unclog plumbing pipes. Since the substance releases dangerous gases, you must follow safety rules when using the product. It contains about 30% caustic alkali.
The advantage of the drug is its effectiveness and quick action. The block will be removed within 3 minutes.
"Mr Muscular"
Get rid of hair and dirt, get rid of an unpleasant smell - all this is within the reach of the medicine. Foam or gel is poured into the pipes, then the system is flushed with warm water. It is necessary to work with gloves, taking care not to get the liquid on the skin.
Sealing sewer joints
Often at the junctions, the pipes begin to leak. You have to work to solve the problems. Using smoked tape will help eliminate leaks for a while. Therefore, it is better to apply a sealant.
Silicone
One of the best types of sealant will help hold the pipes together. They will last a long time if the connections are coated with silicone. The compositions do not shrink, retain their properties during sudden temperature changes.
Acrylic
Although these sealants have low elasticity, they will last a long time. Their advantage is their ability to repel water. They adhere to joints at any temperature.
Silicone-acrylic
Sealants are not only used at pipe joints. They "treat" cracks, chips, seal joints in areas of the plumbing system.
Polyurethane
Apply sealant to the damaged area with a spatula. When it dries up, the system starts. Polyurethane sealant can be painted.
When to call in a specialist
Serious problems cannot be fixed by ourselves without the appropriate skills.Plumbing specialists can modify the installation and slope of sewer pipes.
Preventative measures
Everyone can avoid the appearance of an unpleasant sewage smell if:
- clean the system in time;
- remove and rinse the siphon;
- replace the water seal in a timely manner;
- change the seals at the joints;
- put a special mesh for the drain in the bathroom;
- install a fan in the bathroom;
- make a sewer drain under the shower stall.
Regular inspection of the system, elimination of damage will make the air in the house pleasant and fresh.