Downstairs Toilet Bad Smell - any ideas

AMO

Hi all,

Our toilet room downstairs has a bad smell leaking from somewhere.

As far as I can tell, it started shortly after I got some handymen to lay down laminate flooring.

The 2 things that happened were that the water mains was switched off and that they removed the whole toilet to laminate underneath.

I reported the problem to them and they came round and couldn't smell the fault (at the time the smell needed a few hours to build up).

The next time they came round, the smelt the sink and said that that was the problem.

The smell is worse now and it seems like it does appear to come from the sink. However, I don't know what caused this problem.

Could either of the above 2 actions have caused this problem and how would I get this resolved?

Is this something a plumber can immediately identify the source of the problem?

Thanks

AMO

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Got any pics?

Has the floor stained anywhere or warped/lifted?

It they have moved the toilet a number of things could of happened to cause damp if they didn't put it back together properly.


Does the waste pipe for the toilet go out the back of it?

Why do you think the toilet has anything to do with the sink?

David_Aldred

Foul drainage leaks tend to be quite noticeable and the first thing I would do after checking for obvious leakage above floor level is, if the ground floors are of suspended timber, to have a look underneath the floor, that is within the sub floor void and check whether the drains from both the w.c. and sink are leaking at all. Please be aware that you or those inspecting on your behalf should wear appropriate personal protective equipment for such an inspection, as bacteria such as Coliform and McConkey amongst other nasties associated from any such foul drain leakage can make those exposed to them quite poorly.

If leakage is found, not only will this need to be addressed but also any consequential damage, drying down is a key requirement and the whole area will need appropriate sterilisation such that one perhaps can see why this should really be delt with by insurers employing specialists in such type of work. Hope this helps, kindest regards David Aldred Independent damp and timber surveyor

DVardysShadow

If it seems to come from the sink then put some sodium hydroxide [soda crystals] down the plughole and leave it for a few hours. You also need to consider whether the sink is properly water trapped. And also consider other issues like dead birds or animals in roof voids.