Weird smell under bathroom sink
#1
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Weird smell under bathroom sink
A little over a week ago, I left one of the sinks in our bathroom running at a slow flow to prevent freezing. We have a double vanity and tended to use one and neglect the other (until now after reading this forum). We also ran some water in the tub as a back-up in case the did freeze. After a few days, I noticed a smell that I thought was coming from the water in the tub. I let it out and noticed it was still there. I don't know what's going on, but it's been stressing me.
Our house is 4 years old and we live in NC.
I've put peroxide and baking soda down the drains (twice) and bleach, on a different day. The smell goes and comes and decreases with the weather temp. It also moves between the vanities underneath. I'm thinking maybe a leak under the house? Any other ideas? I haven't checked the trap under the sink yet.
My hubby's a trucker, so I have to wait until he gets home in a few days to check on the leak.
Thank you so much
Our house is 4 years old and we live in NC.
I've put peroxide and baking soda down the drains (twice) and bleach, on a different day. The smell goes and comes and decreases with the weather temp. It also moves between the vanities underneath. I'm thinking maybe a leak under the house? Any other ideas? I haven't checked the trap under the sink yet.
My hubby's a trucker, so I have to wait until he gets home in a few days to check on the leak.
Thank you so much
#2
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Is the house on a slab or a foundation with a cellar or crawl space? I don't see why running the water would cause a smell. Fill a glass with water & let it set for a day or two. See if it smells.
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Yes, we have a crawl space. It's not the water itself that smells. The smell started after one night of running water all night in a sink I rarely use. I remember reading about algae in the drain.
#4
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I would go under the house (or send hubby when he gets home) to look for a leak. It's possible you've had the leak for a while but when the sink is only used intermittently it has more chance to dry out. When a line is left running there is water in the drain line continuously which can allow more to leak out.
#6
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Because it started after running the water, this may not be the issue - but it's an easy thing to chec.
Look down each drain, you should see some standing water. The trap keeps some water in it to prevent sewer gasses from coming back up through the drains. If something isn't plumbed right or clogged, you could end up having that trap water sucked out, allowing the gases to come up through the drains.
Do you ever hear gurgling out of other drains when running the water?
Look down each drain, you should see some standing water. The trap keeps some water in it to prevent sewer gasses from coming back up through the drains. If something isn't plumbed right or clogged, you could end up having that trap water sucked out, allowing the gases to come up through the drains.
Do you ever hear gurgling out of other drains when running the water?
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Thank you. Do I check the drains only in that one bathroom or the whole house? Sorry, I'm clueless when it comes to this kind of stuff, but I want to learn. I have been noticing that smell in the laundry room, but the smell is very faint and doesn't stick around long. We have a sink in there too. Thanks!
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We have those stoppers that don't come out unless you get down under the sink and removed them. Is there any other way to check? We can still do that, I just wanted to see if there a simpler way first. Thanks
#10
If the "u" or "j" shaped pipe under your sink is white plastic, you may be able to loosen it with your hands. If you do, and after you turn it a little water comes out, then you have water in the tube to prevent smells coming up the tube. Just tighten it back up. If you keep turning it and no water comes out, disconnect it. The curved part at the bottom should be full of water. If not, you found your problem. Post back for help if that's the situation.
#15
I swear it was a wild guess but dang there is the AAV (Studor valve) in the second picture. See if the smell is coming from there.
Last edited by ray2047; 01-30-14 at 07:45 PM.
#16
Good photos. Just goes to show how valuable photos are in figuring things out. I think ray2047 is on the right track, although I must confess I'd never heard of an AAV valve before tonight. I just watched a Youtube video about it (AAV Valve Death By Plumbing Code Part 1 - YouTube) and it could definitely be the source of the smell. I would try to fix it by unscrewing the top, then cleaning out the part that comes off, as well as the seat for the part. But, I've never done this before. You may have to replace it.
Looking at your top photo, it doesn't look like the plastic piece is screwed on the metal piece right. Run some water (with a bowl below in case it leaks) and see if the joint leaks. If so, you'll need to get it unscrewed again so you can try to screw it straight on. It looks crooked to me. Don't force it. Focus on getting it lined up straight and it should screw on easily. If you force it you will strip the treads and you'll have to replace parts.
Looking at your top photo, it doesn't look like the plastic piece is screwed on the metal piece right. Run some water (with a bowl below in case it leaks) and see if the joint leaks. If so, you'll need to get it unscrewed again so you can try to screw it straight on. It looks crooked to me. Don't force it. Focus on getting it lined up straight and it should screw on easily. If you force it you will strip the treads and you'll have to replace parts.
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I remember reading about an AAV, so that's why I took a pic :-) It's cool actually knowing what it is now! I read that smells could come from it, so I unscrewed it a few days ago and it smelled fine. I didn't check the seat of it, though.