Bathroom Pipes Smell Like Poop

Smelling poop odors in your bathroom? I feel ya, it’s just the worst! But don’t worry, we can figure this out. One of the most likely problems is a basic drain clog. Just grab a plunger and work on clearing any gunk stuck in there. Once the water can flow freely again, the smell should be gone in no time. A few simple hardware store products can help keep those drains clear for good. And be sure to call a plumber if you think the issue could be a broken pipe or damaged seal. 

However, there are more reasons. To learn and solve the issue, stick with me and we’ll have your bathroom smelling fresh again in no time!

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are a common source of sewer gas smells in bathrooms. When the drain is blocked with hair, soap scum, and other debris, water cannot flow down freely. As water pools in the pipe, bacteria and mold can grow. This causes rancid smells to waft upward. The smells are often described as sulfur, rotten egg, or poop-like. A clogged drain affects the p-trap, which is the u-shaped curve under sinks. When drainage is slowed, the water in the p-trap can dry out. This eliminates the barrier blocking sewer gases from entering the bathroom. Slow drainage also allows solid waste to accumulate in pipes. As waste decomposes, it releases foul-smelling gases.

Solution

The solution for a clogged drain is to clear the blockage. Start by trying a plunger over the drain. Pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain, wait 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. Use a wire coat hanger or zip-it tool to fish out hair and debris. For severe clogs, you may need a drain auger or a professional drain cleaning service. Once drainage is restored, odors should dissipate. Pouring a small amount of vegetable oil down the drain can help prevent future blockages. Check drains regularly for signs of slowing drainage to avoid extensive clogs. Trim hair over a trash can and use drain catchers to prevent buildup.

Dry P-Traps

If the p-trap under a sink dries out, it will no longer block unpleasant sewer gases. The p-trap relies on water to seal off odors coming from the main drain line. When water evaporates from the u-shaped curve, the barrier is broken. This allows smells to rise up from the septic or sewer system and invade the bathroom. It most commonly occurs with lesser-used sinks that are allowed to dry out. However, a blocked drain can also empty the p-trap by slowing water flow. Either way, the result is sewer smells entering the room.

Solution

To fix a dry p-trap, simply pour water down the sink drain to re-fill the u-shaped curve. Use a bucket filled with about 5 gallons of water for best results. Funnel the water slowly to allow time for proper draining. Add a dye such as food coloring first to determine if leaking occurs elsewhere. If water leaks out, a new p-trap is needed. Also, check regularly used sinks to ensure the p-traps remain full. Run some water briefly down lesser used drains weekly. Install p-trap primers on sinks prone to drying out. These automatically refill traps as needed.

Broken Toilet Wax Ring Seal

The wax ring seal between the toilet and floor flange provides an airtight connection to the waste pipe. If this seal leaks or breaks, gases can escape into the bathroom. Damage to the wax ring allows sewer gases to travel upward past the toilet. This can make the bathroom smell like rotten eggs or sewage. A damaged wax ring is often caused by the movement of the toilet. If the toilet rocks, it can crack the wax seal. Deterioration and age can also weaken the wax enough for air leaks.

Solution

Confirm a wax ring leak by replacing toilet water with a few drops of food coloring. If color seeps into the bowl, the wax seal is broken. Turn off the toilet’s water supply and flush to empty the tank and bowl. Sponge the remaining water out of the bowl. Remove the toilet by disconnecting the supply line and unbolting the base. Remove the old wax, clean the area, apply the new wax ring, and reinstall the toilet to the floor flange. Ensure the toilet is level and stable, then re-attach the supply line and turn the water back on. This will create a new odor-proof seal.

Sewer Line Issue

Damaged or blocked sewer lines can also cause nasty odors to back up through drains. If the main sewer line has any cracks, roots, blockages, or pipe failures, sewage gases can leak out. These gases will migrate upward through the connecting branch drain lines and release odors inside bathrooms. A sewer line issue affecting one bathroom is a likely source if other rooms do not have odors. Widespread sewer smells throughout the home point to a larger main line problem.

Solution

Inspect the sewer line and junctions leading to the smelly bathroom for any signs of damage using a sewer camera. Repair any leaks, cracks, or collapsed areas in pipes. Remove roots and debris blocking the line. Replace severely corroded or improperly sloped segments. A professional plumber can perform these sewer line repairs as needed. For major line replacement, a sewer contractor is recommended. Correcting sewer line problems will stop raw sewage backups and related bad smells. Proper drainage and venting should then suppress odors.

Septic Tank is Full

If you rely on a septic system, a full septic tank could be causing bathroom odors. Septic tanks are designed to hold solid waste to allow liquids to leach out into the drain field. But when tanks fill up with sludge, this waste has nowhere to go. The tank becomes overloaded and sewage backs up through pipes. Gases released by the excess waste and bacteria can vent out drains. This septic system failure makes all drains emit a very foul stench. You may also notice sewage bubbling up through toilets or yards.

Solution

The solution is to get the septic tank pumped to remove sludge and solid waste. Most tanks should be pumped every 3-5 years. Call a septic professional to vacuum out all contents and inspect the tank and drain field. Remove any clogs or obstructions in inlet and outlet pipes. Repair any damage to baffles inside the tank. Proper maintenance will restore normal drainage and prevent overloading again. Regular pumping is essential to avoid total septic system failure and very costly repairs.

Issue with Sewer Roof Vent

Sewer vents extending through the roof allow gases to escape outside. If the roof vent pipe is obstructed, gases can back up into the bathroom through connecting drains. Birds, animals, nests, and leaves are common culprits that block vents. A damaged or improperly installed vent can also allow air leaks. Plumbing vents are critical for releasing potentially smelly and harmful gases while keeping drain traps primed.

Solution

Inspect the sewer vent pipe on the roof and open the cap to check for any blockages. Remove all debris, plants, animals, nests, or other material clogging the vent opening. Ensure all joints are properly sealed. Check that the vent pipe is installed at the proper height above the roof. Repair cracks or separations allowing leaks. A clear, leakproof vent pipe will begin releasing gases outside again and bathroom odors should clear shortly after. A plumber can assess the roof vent and make any corrections to restore ventilation.

Improper Ventilation

Inadequate air circulation can also lead to lingering odors in a bathroom. Without enough ventilation, smells have nowhere to escape and simply accumulate in the enclosed space. Fans and windows that do not ventilate properly or run long enough allow gases to remain in the room. Increased moisture from hot showers compounds the issue. Smaller bathrooms with no windows or fans are most susceptible to stagnant, foul-smelling air.

Solution

Increase bathroom ventilation through various means to remove unpleasant odors more effectively:

• Run exhaust fans longer, at least 15 minutes after showering.
• Keep windows open during and after bathroom use when possible.
• Make sure exhaust fans are properly ducted outside, not just recycling interior air.
• Check that the ventilation fan ducting is free of blockages.
• Upgrade to higher CFM exhaust fans to improve air removal.
• Install fresh air intake vents to allow air circulation.
• Use dehumidifiers to control excess moisture.
• Remove mold and mildew that can contribute to odors.

With proper ventilation, constant air exchange will prevent any poop or sewage smells from lingering for long.

Conclusion

That was a lot to go through, but I hope you’ve got some solid leads on where your bathroom smell could be coming from and how to fix it. The key is pinpointing the source so you can deal with it directly. Start simple with some DIY solutions first before calling in pros. And don’t get discouraged – with a bit of trial and error, I’m confident you can get your bathroom pipes smelling fresh and clean again. Let me know if any issues come up or if you need any other tips! Wishing you luck – you got this! One day soon you’ll be able to relax in your odor-free bathroom once more.