Odour from new shower

d0nkeyk0ng

Sigh
Bathroom tiled 11 days ago. Shower cubicle fitted 9 days ago. Everything was fantastic. 

Last night SWMBO complained of an odour from the shower cubicle. I couldn’t smell anything so thought she was just overly sensitive. Today I could smell it. Happens after shower is used. 

SWMBO thinks it’s smells like body odour. To me, it has the same smells as coming from the gym shower area. 

We currently have a thermostatic mixed shower but previously had an electric shower so no idea if it’s down to the hot water supply. It could be the drain. I don’t know if it’s coming from the tiles, tray or shower glass. 

Combi boiler fed from mains. No hot water tank/immersion heater etc.

It dissipates soon after and there’s no odour the remainder of the day until the shower is used again. 

Any ideas?

koalakoala

Maybe just from some glue or silicon or something? I think it wouldn’t occur after a while

Another_Level

Would also see how it goes for several showers, hopefully the shower drain connection and extract fan system are doing what they should.

See how it goes 

Bendy_House

I think you can safely discount it being the new type of shower; hot water is hot water.

That leaves two main possibilities - one is that it's a residual smell from the materials being used - tho' I'd expect 'chemical' smells rather than BO... - and the other is a smell coming back up from the shower or basin drain.

Does the shower drain 'gurgle' during use? Or immediately afterwards? What about the basin drain? Any gurgles when the toilet is flushed?

coffeehound

Was a new extract fan fitted at the same time?

d0nkeyk0ng

koalakoala said:

Maybe just from some glue or silicon or something? I think it wouldn’t occur after a while

Possible. Didn’t notice at first so it took a week or so before it became noticeable. 

Bendy_House said:

That leaves two main possibilities - one is that it's a residual smell from the materials being used - tho' I'd expect 'chemical' smells rather than BO... - and the other is a smell coming back up from the shower or basin drain.

Does the shower drain 'gurgle' during use? Or immediately afterwards? What about the basin drain? Any gurgles when the toilet is flushed?

No gurgling from drain. The toilet and sink haven’t been connected up yet (sink arrived damaged so have to wait for a replacement unit). 

I will pour some hot water from a kettle down the drain to see if it’s a drain issue. 

Also to note, we had a new boiler fitted (in case anyone suggests it was an old boiler). 

Bendy_House

d0nkeyk0ng said:

No gurgling from drain. The toilet and sink haven’t been connected up yet (sink arrived damaged so have to wait for a replacement unit). 

I will pour some hot water from a kettle down the drain to see if it’s a drain issue. 

Also to note, we had a new boiler fitted (in case anyone suggests it was an old boiler). 

I think the boiler/type of shower can be discounted.

Something to try - find a lid or cover that'll sit over the shower drain snugly to seal it off. Have your shower, and immediately plonk the cover on it as soon as the shower has drained. Check it every few minutes for this smell.

GDB2222

d0nkeyk0ng said:

koalakoala said:

Maybe just from some glue or silicon or something? I think it wouldn’t occur after a while

Possible. Didn’t notice at first so it took a week or so before it became noticeable. 

Bendy_House said:

That leaves two main possibilities - one is that it's a residual smell from the materials being used - tho' I'd expect 'chemical' smells rather than BO... - and the other is a smell coming back up from the shower or basin drain.

Does the shower drain 'gurgle' during use? Or immediately afterwards? What about the basin drain? Any gurgles when the toilet is flushed?

No gurgling from drain. The toilet and sink haven’t been connected up yet (sink arrived damaged so have to wait for a replacement unit). 

I will pour some hot water from a kettle down the drain to see if it’s a drain issue. 

Also to note, we had a new boiler fitted (in case anyone suggests it was an old boiler). 

" The toilet and sink haven’t been connected up yet" 

How are the drains sealed?  

Bendy_House

GDB2222 said:

" The toilet and sink haven’t been connected up yet" 

How are the drains sealed?  

"Do'h!" if it's that!

badger09

Could it just be build up of stagnant water in the trap?

We have a 2nd ensuite that isn't used very often and there is occasionally a distinct whiff until I run the shower. Musty rather than BO though. 

Phil4432

If you shower is electrical in any way, you might want to check with an electrician for safety.