Bathroom Drain Odours

When you walk into your bathroom do you get hit by a terrible odour of drains? It seems to be very common here on the Costa del sol in new and old bathrooms, a bathroom is supposed to be a place of cleanliness, hygiene and relaxation but with a strong smell of drains it can be an unpleasent experience, more specifically if it's the only bathroom in your property or it has been recently refurbished.

Searching the internet for solutions to this problem usually brings up advice from people with home made remedies such as baking soda and vinegar, where this may help in the short term but its not finding the cause of the problem and fixing it. Luckily here at aquafixplumbers.com we can find the problem and fix it, with experience of plumbing and drainage systems, we know how to find the correct solutions to your plumbing problems.

Possible causes can vary with each case but with the correct solution, it can be solved permanently.

Waste traps - such as 'p' traps, bottle traps and low level traps for the bath and shower. these are all designed and work to trap a volume of water to seal between the appliance and the sewer preventing the gases getting through. Whilst they are a simple device, it is important to maintain the water seal, because, if the bath or shower is not used often, the trap can dry out/evaporate leaving an open end to the drains. Hair can collect in the trap between the water and the drain causing a capillary action whereby the hair acts like a wick and thus causes water loss in the trap. Poor venting of the drains can also cause negative pressure which can then pull on the water leaving a dry area in the trap.

Toilets - The connection between the toilet and the drain is very important as this is the biggest pipe that comes into the room. If this is not sealed properly, you will smell it every time you enter the bathroom as the odour is coming directly from the drain. Furthermore, the tiny spaces where the seal is not fitted correctly are ideal gaps for pests, such as cockroaches and drain flies, to enter your bathroom. Toilets generally connect to the drain using a seal type fitting. This fitting has a seal on both ends and it is essential that they are fitted correctly to stop smells and pests. Unfortunately we see so many of these ill fitting seals due to incorrect placement and plumbing knowledge.

Sifonica - This is the chrome lid that you see on your bathroom floor. This is an integral part of the bathroom drainage here in spain. It is a form of waste trap to connect all appliances to the sewer. All the waste water that comes from the basins, bidets, showers or baths flows into the sifonica. The water level then rises up and over a barrier into another part of the sifonica so it can flow into the sewer, thereby leaving a level of water making a trap. However, the outlet to the sewer is always open thus allowing the odour and gases from the sewer in to the chamber of the sifonica. Therefore it is important that the lid is sealed correctly and the sifonica should be regularly maintained.

Pipes - Cleaning of the drain pipes between the appliances and the sifonica is recommended to maintain the flow of the pipes as, over time they can build up with hair and debris which can reduce the flow and performance of the drainage system.

Arqueta - Common in older properties and is essentially an inspection chamber/ manhole built of brick and are normally under the bathroom floor. Sometimes they are tiled over so most people would not be aware they even exist. Over the years they can bulid up with waste causing slow flow of drains and an overflow of waste water. I recommend that these should be accessible and surveyed regularly.

Maintenance is a critical factor in ensuring your bathroom and kitchen drainage runs without issue and performs at it should. We have the knowledge, experience and skillset to assist you in achieving optimal performance of all your kitchen and bathroom drainage needs.  

Gary Boston

aquafixplumbers.com