Thank you! You saved me! We have a stand alone shower with a custom marble tray. I did all the same things you did, checked venting, P-trap was fine (checked if frequently when flushing toilets or draining tub). Poured bleach down drain which seemed to help, but the smell would come right back within a day or two. I watched every video and tried everything that I knew to try over the course of about 4 weeks. After watching your video, I realized two things A. I have the same drain you do even though I don't have tile( It really makes no sense with the tray I have) B. The caulk had worn away around the outside of the drain, allowing water to run behind the drain head and under the marble tray and would very, very slowly, eventually drain out the lower "lip" after getting reallystagnant. I verified this by slowly pouring water onto the shower floor and watching almost 16 ounces disappear behind the drain (between the outer edge of the pipe and the marble tray) None of it went DOWN the drain. What I did was buy two gallons of bleach, didn't use the shower for three days and over the course of those three days very slowly poured bleach behind the rim of the drain.In theory, letting it run under the tray. Then I bought a do it yourself seal, cut it just slightly larger than the outter edge of the drain cover, ran silicone under it, laid seal, put drain cover back on, on top of seal and added more silicone around the edge of that so it's completely water tight! It's been over a month and no smell!! It doesn't look half bad either ;-)

The best explanation ever regarding the shower pan assembly, thank you.

Great video as always. Glad to see you back, Bob!

Hey Bob, Great video - THANK you. I came up with a mod to your approach which I think may yield faster results. I inserted a 2" rubber bathtub plug deep into the drain pipe (just before the trap). Then filled the drain and shower floor with the cleaning solution. This allowed the solution to get into the drain openings from the drain side as well as from the tile & grout on the surface of the shower. After soaking, I used a sponge to remove the solution so it didn't go down into my septic.

Thanks for taking the time to post this video. Very informative. I will give it a try myself to try and deal with our shower smell. Best wishes.

I've had this problem on and off for about 7 months and have spoken to so many plumbers. They either said I was imagining it or they had no idea of how to fix it. I was on the point of pulling the shower recess apart and installing a new one. You've saved me at least 10K.

This is exactly the type of device I had in mind and was looking for but didn't know if it existed. Thanks for sharing!

Fair enough.Looks like you have it solved any way! Good job mate and keep up the info.

MAAAAAN! I've lived in my place for over a year and I am still batteling that smell. I took the kitchen and bathroom sinks apart and cleaned, Sealed the base of the toilet, (actually bought a new O ring I was about to put on),and Took the stove out of my kitchen.Thank you thank you thank you. It gives me migrains. I keep it covered with a rubber flapper type plug, and get frustrated when I smell it again. I think ,"where is it coming from?" Thanks again. Truely my hero

Good to be back!Been a little crazy here lately had to tend to other fires closer to home that were important but those things are resolved and have more free time to do what I want to do instead of what I have to do!If you know what I mean.Glad you are still here.===Bob

Thank you for this video.. trying it right now and will definitely update.

@HomeRemodelWorkshop Thanks Bob, I am going to tackle that tomorrow! Wish me good luck!

Thank you, we've tried everything over the course of a year and the smell keeps coming back. Going to try this and keeping my fingers crossed.

There are fiberglass shower pan bases available,however most people like the look, feel ,longevity of a typical mud base and tile+++Bob

thank you for all you do...

I had the grout sealed after installation,but haven't done it since probably a good idea to re-seal Thanks===Bob I still believe even with sealing some amount of water still makes its way past the grout and into the sandmix base thou.

Not a solution that I am in need to use, but, boy ! That was such a fix ! Very well !

It worked!! Thank you!!

Have you placed something over the drain (plastic cup) to make sure that is where the smell is coming from? If you do that and the smell persists then it may be a bad wax ring seal on your toilet. If it blocks the smell(assuming your plumber has been below the trailer and replaced the trap) You may want to have your plumber install a no-seep insert into your drain pipe it costs about 50 us dollars and will last a fairly long time to give you some relief until a more permanent solution is had Bob

An excellent series of videos. Well done Bob!

You need to make sure your trap is holding water and your drain and pan are clean. +++Bob If your shower is rarely used trap water could evaporate, could have a damaged pipe allowing water to leak below sewer gas seal height. if drain not vented properly water could syphon out of trap when connecting toilet flushed, too much long hair in trap could work as "wick" allowing water to drain past trap. These are a few.

I want to make sure I understand what you are saying.The moisture is comming into my mud base from the water in the trap? Interesting,not so sure about capillary action thou.Have to give this a little more thought.Thanks for your post+++Bob Way to think outside the box!

That is an excellent idea. After you get everything treated, would it be helpful to reseal the grout between the tiles? I would think that this would slow the absorption of liquids into the mud pan. Thanks for sharing.

You make good points.Let me know in a couple of weeks how well (or poorly) it worked ! +++Bob

A toilet wax ring is a pretty inexpensive way to eliminate the possibility that could be your problem. That being said I would call my plumber and explain the smell has come back and you would like to know what service work they did on their first visit to eliminate the problem. It is possible if they are reputable outfit they may come back by to investigate the situation to make sure they made no errors.+++Bob

Thanks for the video, can you use that simple green product if you have a septic tank?

I have removed many mud base shower floors. Some lined with lead sheets and others with rubber base and one thing they all have in common is they smell horrible upon removal. I do not think it is that hard a stretch of the imagination to think its possible +++Bob P.S This solved my problem!

Even thou my problem seems to be solved I will definitely check my vent.Thanks+++Bob

Hi Bob, Thanks for posting this problem. I have the same problem especially when I turn on my range hood vent. My shower is a fiberglass shower so nothing is soaked under or around it. I close the drain opening airtight but then my washer drain is emitting the smell. No matter how clean the 2 inch drain pipe is. So, I do not believe the sewer smell has much to do with the cleanliness of the water drain pipe. Can I place a p-trap on the outside portion of drain w/o going into subfloor? TY

I generally don't approve comment with curse words but your doubting this is not surprising me.1.The trap is holding water I can see it from above and below.2Watching the water in trap I flushed toilet ,ran vanity and there was no change in trap water siphoning off 3.The vent is within 20 inches of trap and is of proper size.I even shop vacuumed the trap to see that there was nothing stuck in bottom of trap.I am also a remodeler and have tore many mud pans out THEY STINK! This pan is 7 yrs old

I think it may have drained out through the screw holes, even though I took extra measures (plastic bag over the holes trying to prevent it from leaking out. Will try again. I truly appreciate your prompt reply. Thanks! :)

I have a smell coming from my shower waste drain. I have tried pouring 2 x 500ml of pine fragrance toilet cleaner down it and left overnight but the smell came right back after showering, which obviously washed away the cleaner. The shower drain has NO water trap, it just connect to approx. 1 ft of straight pipe, 90 degree elbow, then 6ft straight pipe to the vertical waste outlet pipe. The water drains away as fast as it comes in, no blockage. The drain has a removable cover with a sort of cap that holds approx. 15-ml of water inside it, and the shower water drains away around this cap. I cleaned out the cap , and inside the drain as far as I could go with a brush, but the smell remains.

I am definitely trying this. Thank you so much!

Hope it works as well for them as it did for us!===Bob

I still had the majority of cleaning solution still there. Are you sure your drain was sealed air tight?+++ Bob

Outstanding videos. Thank you for making them. I found that when we got the funky smell it was after we'd neglected to turn on the exhaust fan. I put a twist timer on the fan so it's easy to set (for about 20 minutes) and forget before each shower. We also got a shower squeegee to quickly remove water clinging to the shower stall sides. With these measures we no longer get a funky smell. --David

Hi, just saw your comment and I believe that the drain itself is not a problem. My 2nd bathroom shower has this problem but I do not want to get into the subfloor area - can I install a ptrap outside before the shower drain meets the toilet drain? Thank you.

This was a real problem,My wife would even put a plastic cup over drain to try to contain smell.Since we did what I showed in video problem has stopped.I am not saying this will solve everyones sewer gas problem but if they have similar condition as what I described I am confident this will solve their problem!+++BOB

@Mayerling52 4-6 ounces per one gallon hot water. I used run of the mill duct tape, Nothing special just made sure I rubbed it well to backside of drain cover, +++Bob

How much fluid did you have left the next day? All of my fluid is gone within 2 hours. I even put a drop of food coloring in it find out where it was going-it didn't move. So did it all soak up into the mud pan?

That Chad is amazing!!!!===Bob

If the rubber liner is not sloped towards the drain,the base may hold water and not allow weep hole to drain water that is sitting on rubber liner. This should not cause a leak thou because the rubber should be run and sealed water proof at least 4-6 inches off sub-floor, well above finished tile surface.

=] thanks ill be sure to tell them thanks again Rhys.

Want to give this a try but unsure if its safe with a marble shower. Doing some more research.

Lol I don't do that and my trap is holding water and is done to code. That being said there is sweat,blood and other bodily secretions that do get washed onto mud pan that I am sure ,over time, may have some effect +++Bob

Thanks Bob. I know it's too late now, but a water inhibiting agent in the concrete mix when making the pour will prevent water from soaking through & only direct it to the waste. Also it could have gotten the timbers wet & this is what is rotting & giving off the smell. I would investigate a little further to see if the water leaching issue has been resolved. Best of luck & keep up the posts. I don't comment on many things but I really think you have it together & know what youre about.

I think you need to go up on your roof and look down the vents and make sure they are clean all the way down to the the drain. Air needs to flow freely down this vent, these can plug up from animals, leaves or spiders and cause problems in the system. If you can't smell sewer gas from this vent then it could be plugged. It can be partially plugged and still cause problems so thats not the ultimate test.

idk if i need a plumber or a preist but once in a while my toilet gets slow and a sewer smell from the tub along w dabree and water. im guessing somethings plugging the roof vent and/or the tub needs to be snaked. the sink never gets slow and the toilets flushing good now. i think i have a weak flushing toilet design in this house but the house is 1943.

Actually this system has a rubber matting below sand mix.I can see bottom of shower from the floor below and there is no water getting thru to wood.===Bob

I hope this works for you as well as it did for us! Please let me know.+++Bob

Hi, do I have to use special duct tape, does it have to be waterproof. I went to Home Depot and they have so many duct tapes, I got confused. Also for my shower floor how much should I use of the product you suggested? I hate using strong chemicals

It's as if you are showcasing the very shower in our home with the very same problem. It's soaking as I type this email, THANK YOU!!!!

another perfect vid my auntie and uncle have got that problem and they still got it now ill get my uncle to watch this vid 5/5 thanks bob.

@dcamman If you are talking about a trap. Yes+++Bob

Great video! I love KZread when I need knowledge. A loose toilet is the number 1 cause of sewer gas smell. It is often times not thought of as the cause of the smell. 99% of the time it will not leak water onto your floor when flushed. A loose toilet can allow sewer gas into your bathroom and you do not know the smell is coming from there. Your toilet should not move or rock back and forth much at all. Your floor may be uneven. An 1/8 shim or 2 may be needed to level your toilet before installing a new wax ring. Sometimes it can just be tightened to get a good seal. If not, a new wax toilet ring needs to be installed. I install toilets everyday M-F. It can be difficult and it is easy to do it wrong and have a leak. Not a water leak, but a sewer gas leak. Also you should be able to see water near the top of your tub or shower drain, if not your P trap is leaking and needs fixed. The P trap holds water and does not allow sewer gas to enter your dwelling. Unused sinks, tubs and showers need to have water added periodically if not being used. AAV vents can also fail and allow sewer smell into your dwelling. Even an improperly glued pvc joint can allow sewer gas to escape. If it is just a P trap that needs cleaned. I just pour a little bit of bleach into the P trap and let it sit. If my P trap is full of build up of hair and other things, I use a toilet plunger I bought for JUST sinks, showers and tubs. Add some water and plunge the blockage back and forth until it drains out of the P trap.

Hi I think you have a bigger problem. If there is no pre-slope under the vinyl liner (common mistake), then any water that gets thru the mud bed will just lay on the liner until it gets high enough to drain to the weep holes. This stagnant water is what is causing the smell. The proper solution is to tear that shower floor up and build it properly. If you search of how to build a tile shower pan you will learn the correct procedure to build a pan (with pre-slope).

@robertbruce1552

9 жыл бұрын

I took my shower sliding doors off and clean under them all the bio mess, the smell went away.

If you have eliminated other possible causes such as leaky or siphoning trap as I have and making sure the venting is not an issue.This problem then becomes a mystery and before spending alot of money tearing things out .Trying my solution would be an inexpensive cure as it was with me and many others who had similar conditions Hows that? +++Bob

I also want to share that when I took the shower doors off and cleaned beneath them all the bio mess that was there thoroughly, the Snell went away.

I think that the floor of the shower shouldn't be letting any water through. The most common leak is around the floor waste... Remove the grout and re-seal...

everytime i use the bathroom, or take a shower. i end up smelling bad. right now i just came out feom the bathroom and it smells like fish, rotting fish. the other day was bad bodily things, eeeewww it was groosss

@bpoebpoe Let me know how it works out! +++Bob

1) stop peeing in your shower : ) 2) more likely that your trap is not holding water or you dont have a trap (elbow).

Unfortunately didn't work. The drain is perfectly clean and the entire shower area is too. Can't even imagine where the problem is .

Ok this all makes sense except this is a "guest room" shower so not used on a regular basis so how come this never happened before with old "tub shower" setup. I have to pour water down on a regular basis to avoid sewer smell!

HomeRemodelWorkshop, the mud pan would smell like mold unless you are peeing and crapping in your shower. Small amounts of blood and skin wont make a fume like smell. Your trap is the problem.

Good video for those who have this kind of fitting--but,. my problem is that 'sometimes', the water gets sucked out of the Shower outlet 'u' bend,( which goes straight to the soil stack ) and we can smell--NOT SEWAGE--but it it ain't fresh either.

@HomeRemodelWorkshop

10 жыл бұрын

There are a few things that can cause a trap to lower. 1 a crack in trap 2 hair in bottom of trap (wicking) water to drain side of trap 3 improper or blocked venting. if air is not coming into system properly it will suck water to draw air. 4 not using enough and water evaporation from trap. Do you know which of these problems you have?

I just wanted to make a few comments...I have the same issue with the sewer gas smell...the ONLY thing that worked is a product called SURESEAL--it costs around $44 for a 2 inch fitting. Simple to install. No plumber necessary. My shower floor is not tile, it's solid fiberglass, so your suggestion would never work. Sureseal inline floor drain trap sealer definitely took away that nasty sewer smell. I highly recommend; I get nothing for promoting their product!

I believe that specific design of pan/tile shower drain is flawed. It allows moisture to wick (capillary action) up the four "drain" holes and in between the membrane and the concrete base. A properly tiled, grouted and sealed tile shower should not allow any moisture to travel anywhere but down the drain. So long as your plumbing is properly installed, and your shower trap is vented/protected correctly, you are likely on the right track in addressing this specific issue however.