There is a sewer smell in my room, could this be a problem with the toilet pipes?

Question

If you have smelled the sewer pipe if you have your toilet removed or are replacing your toilet this is what I smell in my room a few times a day. Could there be a problem with the piping for the toilets. I am downstairs and my wall has the pipes for the upstairs toilet and the downstairs toilet is right next to my wall. The smell has gotten worse over the last few months.

Answer 1

If you have unused floor drains in the area, this will cause the problem. The trap may be empty, the water having evaporated. Refill it with water, then add two or three tablespoons of vegetable oil to the drain. The oil floats, and the water won't evaporate as quickly.

Answer 2

I would contact a plumber immediately... You may also be smelling methane gas... not something you want to fool around with and the source can be a bad trap or vent as previously described.  Methane gas goes boom...  so keep the area well ventilated.  My inlaws smelled the same as you described in their basement a few years back.  Was a bad trap in a sink - the fireman who came out after the plumber called them stated that their was enough methane in their basement to have blow their house up.  

The plumbers fix after the air was cleared was less than $100...

Good Luck!

Answer 3

If the smell goes away at times. If you are leaving your windows open for ventilation. You may be just smelling the vapors from the homes plumbing vents on the roof. Or if you have an open floor drain that needs a little water in the trap. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Yes, it could be from the toilet, either the wax seal gone bad, or pipes leaking.  It could be from a floor drain, but you need to find it before you get sick from methane gas poisoning (if it gets really bad) or you have an explosion (no laughing matter).  It could be coming in from an open window, but doubtful, since you are downstairs, unless there is a roof vent near you level next door.