Pong In Loo !

[derekpara]

Problem: Sewage smell in downstairs loo.

Facts: Downstairs loo added to 1930s property 20 years ago.
Loo used for minor business 10-15 times per week.
" " " major " 1-2 " " "
Loo kept scrupulously clean by 'er in doors.
Inspection chamber in garden clean and unobstructed.
Ceramic bung for rodding vent in above chamber has been removed.

Questions: Is missing bung responsible for smelly odour entering house?
Is said bung necessary ? ( I still have the original) and should it
replaced ?


I don't understand how odours can pass through 'U' bend. Smell isn't overpowering but it doesn't happen in upstairs loo.

Thanks for your help.

D

[KARL]

It is possible that the integrity of the sewer line is no longer intact at or near the toilet. This could be where the toilet itself joins the sewer, a failed joint seal in the sewer itself or possibly a cracked pipe or fitting. If you are able to inspect everything from the toilet to below floor level on to the horizontal run then that is what you should do.

[KARL]

Sorry, I advise refitting the plug into the rodding eye although that is unlikely to in itself have any real bearing on sewer gases being detected inside the house.

[jomifl]

Depening on wind direction and which windows you have open low air pressure in the house can draw air from the sewage into the house. It doesn't have to come from the loo as shower, bath and washbasins are usually connected to the sewage system. If one of these items hasn't been used for some time the water trap/ubend can dry out enough to allow air from the sewer to ente the house.

[jomifl]

Try sealing the wc/sewer pipe joiunt with something like gaffer or parcel tape. If this cures it then make a permanent seal.

[malagabob]

As jomilf says winds can draw smells into the hose Even water traps on appliances can be gradually drained by air movement especially in high winds.

[derekpara]

Thanks everyone. Time to call in the experts !

[The Builder]

Derek, is there a non-return valve (known as a "Durgo" valve) near the WC?

Sometimes, if a WC is sited a long way from the vent stack, then a Durgo (also called an air admittance valve) is fitted to vent the system.

When these stick, serious ponging occurs in the loo (valve stuck open.)

[derekpara]

B. No there isn't. Just the usual U bend in the toilet.

Do you think a camera check would be worthwhile before any disruptive work is undertaken ?

Thanks.

[The Builder]

The ceramic bung you mention, Derek, may well be rodding access for an old type (not used today) "interceptor" chamber. If so, it will be above the trap level, so no smell should come out of it.

No smell should ever pass through a trap (U-bend).

The first, non-disruptive, things I would check...

Stand over the chamber and have someone flush the WC. Whether it flows normally or only sluggishly should tell you something. If slow, then it would indicate a serious break in the pipe run. The water may be saturating the area around it. Eventually, that would start to smell if where the soil pipe passes through the wall hasn't been sealed up properly.

Also ... put a drain testing bung into the entry to the chamber...

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Rothenberger-Drain-Test-Plug/p/118731?CAWELAID=120135120001173926&CAGPSPN=pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping%20-%20Heating%20&%20Plumbing&tmcampid=&tmad=c&tmplaceref=&;tmcustom=mkwid|s_dc|pcrid|43364569612|kword||match||plid|

Flush the WC. The water level in the pan will rise to the top....... and stay there if there is no big leak. If the level drops immediately even after several flushes, then I would suspect a break. I'm having to make a few assumptions here. There maybe other branches and connections on the system, but it should tell you something.

It would be interesting to know what you find.

[derekpara]

Thanks for that, B. I will try all you suggest and get back to you later. I'm not as mobile as I used to be so it may take a while to do everything.

Cheers.

D

[derekpara]

Builder.

I've watched the outlow when the toilet has been flushed and the flow seems strong and full. So that might be a bit of good news.

Your Rothenberger plug suggestion is probably the next test but I will leave that to the professionals, I think. Would a general plumber be able to deal with this or do you think I should call in a drain specialist ?

Thanks again.

D

[The Builder]

Drain specialists not needed, Derek. Any decent plumber will know what to look for. :o)

[derekpara]

Thanks mate. I'll let you know what the problem was/is in due course.

Regards.

D