No more nasty smells! Why bathrooms smell bad, how to fix it yourself, and when to call a plumber

A smelly bathroom is one of the most annoying problems for homeowners, whether the house is new or old. The unpleasant odour doesn't just spoil the atmosphere at home — it can also be a warning sign of a problem with the plumbing. If you're dealing with this, don't worry: here are the main causes and the fixes that really work.

The most common reasons a bathroom smells

Before fixing anything, find out where the smell is coming from. Most cases come down to 3 main causes:

• Dried-out drain trap (P-trap): if a bathroom isn't used for a long time, the water that seals the trap evaporates, letting foul sewer gas come back up
• Grease and hair blockages: hair, soap scum and dirt build up on the pipe walls, breeding bacteria and giving off a bad smell
• Worn-out toilet seal: the rubber or wax seal at the base of the toilet deteriorates, letting sewer smells escape through the joint with the floor

Checklist of fixes you can do yourself

If the smell isn't strong and comes from an ordinary drain, you can start fixing it yourself with these steps:

• Add water to the drain: for a bathroom that's rarely used, pour 1-2 litres of clean water down the drain so there is always water in the trap
• Switch to an anti-odour drain cover: remove the old grate and install an anti-odour drain with a water cup or a rubber odour valve, which keeps out both smells and insects very well
• Clean the pipes with EM microbes: avoid harsh acid chemicals that can corrode plastic pipes; use digesting microbes, or baking soda mixed with vinegar left overnight, to clear grease

When should you call a specialist?

These methods solve basic problems, but if the issue is with the structure of the plumbing system, we don't recommend taking things apart yourself because it can break the pipes or cause serious leaks. If you notice any of these signs, consult a specialist right away:

• A bad smell coming up from around the base of the toilet (a plumber needs to lift the toilet and replace the wax seal)
• A chronically blocked drain that overflows and won't clear with a drain snake
• Waste water leaking under the bathroom floor or seeping into the ceiling of the floor below

Keeping the bathroom clean and checking the drains regularly will prevent smells for good. Try these basic checks and fixes so your bathroom is fresh, clean and pleasant to use again.