sewerage smells.
sewerage smells.
Since having our ensuite refurbished which included moving the W.C., we have had smells emanating from the area. Not all the time but sometimes smelling within the bedroom. We always have our windows open, so I don't think the gas will finish us off! To be fair our builders have tried various remedies but none have worked! Knowing the vast wealth of experience we have from our forum members, does anyone have any suggestions as to what could be causing it and a likely remedy. The waste pipe was put in new and the old one capped off. It now has a very short run from the inside of the house to the inspection pit outside. Any ideas will be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Re: sewerage smells.
Where the pipe comes out of the house, and down to the pit, is there a "breather" pipe going upwards? If so does it go all the way up to and just above the roof? If too short you will get the smells.
Amos.
Amos.
Re: sewerage smells.
Have a look behind the sink in bathroom, where the waste pipe from the sink goes out. There should be a rubber seal on the pipe from sink that connects to the waste out pipe. If this is missing or damaged you will get a smell all the time and after a while you will get damp in the bathroom. A replacement rubber seal costs approx. 50c from Philipos DIY, and will solve the issue.
Re: sewerage smells.
Try to find out where the smell is coming from. Check the sinks, showers, baths etc.
One common problem when carrying out modifications to existing drains is interference with the soil vent arrangement. If it has been interfered with (or in some cases removed) then when you flush the toilet (or drain water out of the bath etc) a vacuum is created that sucks the water out of the traps (bends) in the sinks, baths, showers etc. If this is the issue (and I suspect it will be) you can install an internal one in the system e.g.
https://www.drainagepipe.co.uk/products ... HzEALw_wcB
If you know where the problem is you can also install a non return valve in the drain, although this is not such a good solution.
Good luck
Rob
One common problem when carrying out modifications to existing drains is interference with the soil vent arrangement. If it has been interfered with (or in some cases removed) then when you flush the toilet (or drain water out of the bath etc) a vacuum is created that sucks the water out of the traps (bends) in the sinks, baths, showers etc. If this is the issue (and I suspect it will be) you can install an internal one in the system e.g.
https://www.drainagepipe.co.uk/products ... HzEALw_wcB
If you know where the problem is you can also install a non return valve in the drain, although this is not such a good solution.
Good luck
Rob
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PW in Polemi
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Re: sewerage smells.
Apparently, there is a special pipe/sleeve/sock thingy that joins the toilet bowl to the waste pipe. We know somebody whose whatjamacallit was fitted incorrectly, allowing smells back up into the room.
We ourselves had to have our drains "benched out" because the dear developer
managed to lay the pipes so that at every inspection hatch and junction, the outgoing pipes were higher than the ingoing, leaving a permanent puddle of smelly yuk. 
Another problem we have is that the u-bend in showers and baths over here is not very deep, so the water evaporates quite quickly, especially if any long hair is allowed to tangle round and down the plughole thus causing a wicking effect.
We ourselves had to have our drains "benched out" because the dear developer
managed to lay the pipes so that at every inspection hatch and junction, the outgoing pipes were higher than the ingoing, leaving a permanent puddle of smelly yuk. Another problem we have is that the u-bend in showers and baths over here is not very deep, so the water evaporates quite quickly, especially if any long hair is allowed to tangle round and down the plughole thus causing a wicking effect.
Kay
Those who do not like cats, must have been mice in a former life!
Those who do not like cats, must have been mice in a former life!
Re: sewerage smells.
OK, Bit of an expert on this - since I had problems in Villa....
1) The waste outlet in showers in Cyprus is very low - as in, it holds very little water.... (mine did anyway) - I replaced mine, from white plastic, to stainless steel, by cutting into it all and re-doing. The new stainless steel one held a greater trap depth of water
2) I then discovered that the trap water was being 'sucked' out
3) In Cyprus, rather than a 4" breather waste pipe running to the roof, mine were 1 1/2" or 2" diameter. They also stopped just above the flat roof. My villa sits on hill in Peyia, getting lovely breeze most days. This was enough to cause a suction in the breather pipe, emptying the traps of water.
4) I glued on a double bend and extension to top of breather so it had the end just under the edge of the flat roof concrete edge. That way, wind didn't pass over the outlet, but I wasn't obstructing it...
It works!
Also, I might add that previously I got the drain feed liquid and add a capful every week to top toilet and flush. This feeds the septic tank and keeps the bacteria healthy and therefore not smelling....
1) The waste outlet in showers in Cyprus is very low - as in, it holds very little water.... (mine did anyway) - I replaced mine, from white plastic, to stainless steel, by cutting into it all and re-doing. The new stainless steel one held a greater trap depth of water
2) I then discovered that the trap water was being 'sucked' out
3) In Cyprus, rather than a 4" breather waste pipe running to the roof, mine were 1 1/2" or 2" diameter. They also stopped just above the flat roof. My villa sits on hill in Peyia, getting lovely breeze most days. This was enough to cause a suction in the breather pipe, emptying the traps of water.
4) I glued on a double bend and extension to top of breather so it had the end just under the edge of the flat roof concrete edge. That way, wind didn't pass over the outlet, but I wasn't obstructing it...
It works!
Also, I might add that previously I got the drain feed liquid and add a capful every week to top toilet and flush. This feeds the septic tank and keeps the bacteria healthy and therefore not smelling....
Re: sewerage smells./UPDATE
Thanks for all the helpful replies. Builder found the stench pipe was blocked and got something from the DIY called MELT in a container similar to motor oil. He poured it down the pipe from the roof, then waited 5 mins or so, ran the hose pipe down and out it all came! No more smells. I thought it might be useful for others to know, if anyone has a similar problem. I knew it was unlikely to be the main tank because there was no smell from the main bathroom. 
Re: sewerage smells.
I wonder what it was blocked with ? Bird nest material maybe. It may be a good idea to put chicken wire or similar at the top of the pipe.
Trev..
Re: sewerage smells.
Trev it was what looked like bodily waste. No idea how it ended up there. I watched it come down into the inspection pit! We now have a t junction piece on top to help dissipate and smells.
