Why Does My Clean Toilet Smell?

• Clogged Drain

If you’ve taken your time to clean your toilet but there’s still a lingering smell, a clogged drain could be the culprit. A buildup of hair, soap scum, or other debris in the toilet drain pipe can produce a foul odor. If the clog is left unaddressed, it will worsen and cause more problems, including sewage backup and unhygienic conditions. Luckily, minor drain clogs are easy to clear using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.

Pour one cup of baking soda into the clogged drain and add one cup of vinegar. Cover the drain with a plug and let the mixture sit for 15 minutes. The reaction between baking soda and vinegar will loosen the clog. Pour boiling water down the drain to clear the loose debris. If the drain is still clogged, call a local plumbing repair service in Hillsborough Township to help you clear the blockage.

• Faulty Wax Ring

A wax ring is a gasket that creates an airtight seal between the base of the toilet and the closet flange. This component prevents water and sewer gas from escaping. Even if your toilet is sparkling clean, a faulty wax ring can allow noxious sewer gases to waft into your bathroom. The wax ring can wear out as a result of improper installation or the toilet rocking back and forth. The first sign you’ll notice when the wax ring wears out is water pooling around your toilet. You may also notice a damp or spongy floor. A wo-out wax ring will need to be replaced to fix the problem and restore proper functioning. However, for a toilet that rocks back and forth, you’ll have to call a local plumbing company to check the condition of the toilet and make the necessary repairs. If repairs won’t address the problem, it may be time to consider toilet replacement.

• Plumbing Vent Issues

Vent stacks, also known as plumbing vent pipes, remove sewer gases from the plumbing system. If the vent stacks are blocked, sewer gases can back up through your toilet drains, causing a foul odor. You may also notice gurgling sounds from the toilet when you flush. Get in touch with a local plumber to help you unclog your vent stacks.

• Mold and Mildew

Is there a musty odor coming from your toilet even after you’ve done thorough cleaning? If so, the culprit may be mold and mildew growing in the tank or under the rim. This problem is common in bathrooms with high humidity and those without proper ventilation. Unrepaired water leaks can also create a thriving environment for mold in the toilet and other areas of your bathroom. The appearance of mold in your bathroom is an indication of poor ventilation and excess humidity.

Mold growth inside the toilet tank is easy to resolve—pour one cup of baking soda into the tank and one cup of vinegar. Flush the toilet several times to remove the mold. For the mold growing under the rim, spray a solution of baking soda and vinegar around the area and let the mixture sit for about one hour. After waiting for one hour, use a toilet brush to scrub the surface and rinse with clean water. If your bathroom has poor ventilation, reach out to a professional plumber to install exhaust fans and fix water leaks.

Do you need professional toilet repair or replacement? Get in touch with Mr. Rooter Plumbing.