If your shower tile or drain has a film of bacterial buildup that has collected over time, it could potentially cause a musty or unpleasant, sewer-like smell. Biofilm is a bacteria that can attach to shower tiles or stalls, and in and around your shower drain, accumulating over time.
Drain clogs are one of the most common causes of a smelly shower. If you notice that your drain is draining more slowly than usual, or if there is standing water in your shower, then this is likely the cause. To fix a clogged drain, you can try using a plunger or a snake to clear it out yourself.
Yes, your natural stone shower should always be sealed! To keep your shower in great shape – and keep mold and mildew at bay – we recommend having your shower sealed at least once a year. Instead of a topical sealant that may flake off or discolor the stone, choose a penetrating sealant.
One of the most frequent problems with a shower that can result in foul odors emanating from the drain is a clog. Dirt, grime, oils, hair, and other debris can get trapped in the drain line and act as a barrier, preventing similar items from getting washed down the drain.
This can happen if your hot water heater temperature is too low or if it's turned off for long periods of time, like when you go on vacation. Fortunately, the bacteria in the hot water heater should not be harmful to you, but it will need to be eliminated in order to remove the smell from your tap water.
Over time, the water can weaken the stone, which can lead to fissures or cracks in the tile. Eventually, the water can penetrate to the subfloor, and once it does that, it can spread to other parts of your home. Water can trap bacteria in the tile, and it can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew in the subfloor.
Combine about 45 grams of baking soda with about a liter of water and mix well in a medium-sized bowl. Use a clean cloth to apply the mixture to the surface. Allow the paste to dry for about 5 hours, then use a microfiber cloth and warm water to rinse. Dry buff with a clean microfiber or chamois cloth.
Not sealing a stone countertop or floor tiles — which get the heaviest traffic and are the most susceptible to wear and tear — leaves the surface vulnerable to absorbing foreign substances, which can weaken the stone and potentially lead to the growth of bacteria.
Good hygiene helps only so much. Your genes can also play a big role in how good or bad you smell. In fact some people, no matter how much they shower, still smell bad. Callewaert has found these individuals have a larger amount of “bad” bacteria.
A slow-draining sink clogged with ordinary hair and soap scum can build up bacteria in the P-trap until your bathroom sink smells like rotten eggs. This smell can also happen in sinks that haven't been used for a long time.
But biofilm tends to look a little slimier. It's the result of bacteria and decay, and it's not unusual for it to form just out of sight inside bathroom fixtures like sink drains or shower drains. Biofilm, which tends to smell like rotten eggs, might not be something you see at a casual glance.
To clean a shower with vinegar, fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and warm water and spray the solution on the grout. Don't use vinegar on travertine or stone. Use old towels on the floor to absorb any runoff. Let the solution stand for a few minutes and then scrub with a stiff brush.
Cleaning your stone shower once a week can help reduce grime, water deposits, and mildew build-up. Use stone-safe products, rather than vinegar or ammonia. Such products are too harsh on stone; their acids break down sealants and discolor surfaces.
A mixture that is one-part bleach and one-part water can be used to safely get rid of the mold and mildew growing on the tiles in your shower. Use a non-scratch sponge or pad to gently remove the mold or mildew from the surface of the stone without scratching or damaging it.
Stone should be sealed when used in bathrooms that receive daily use. “We recommend a penetrating sealer once a year,” says Tabbah. “It helps repel water so it beads up instead of soaking in and turning the stone darker.”
For lower traffic areas, like a kitchen backsplash or bathtub surround, you should re-seal your natural stone tiles every few years. Depending on the amount of traffic, some installers choose to re-seal their natural stone tiles every 18 months, while others choose to re-seal their tiles every 4 to 5 years.
A simple Water Drop Test is one of the easiest ways to examine whether or not your natural stone needs sealing! First, sprinkle a tablespoon of water on your stone. Leave the water on the surface for about 15 minutes. If the stone darkens or if the water is absorbed in less than 4 minutes, then resealing is needed.
This gas is responsible for the unpleasant smell, which can be caused by other factors such as the presence of organic matter or high levels of iron or manganese in the water. In conclusion, water that smells like sulfur is generally safe to shower in, but it can be unappealing.
Clogged Shower Drains
After a while, pieces of dead skin, soap, gels, hair and all sorts of stuff can clog your shower drain. If you think your shower is suffering from that dreaded sewer smell and is not draining correctly, you probably have a clogged drain.
It's the smell of rotten eggs – and it's coming from your drain! It doesn't matter if it's your kitchen sink, your bathroom sink or even the bathtub, this smell can show up unexpectedly! Known as hydrogen sulfide, it forms when bacteria grows either in drains, sewage or in the ground.