It is not unusual for an unused bathroom drain to start smelling after a period of time. The smell coming from an unused tub or drain is usually coming from the P-trap. A P-trap is the U-shaped portion of pipe underneath the drain. The trap is supposed to keep sewer odors from coming into your bathroom and home.
If your shower isn't used often, the water in the P-trap can evaporate, allowing odors to seep into the air. Running water through the drain periodically can keep the P-trap filled and prevent this problem.
A concoction of white vinegar, baking soda, and hot water will help to eliminate odours from smelly shower drains effectively, as well as removing a buildup of grease, bacteria, and any other biological material residue (as long as the blockage is not severe).
If your shower drain smells like a sewer, then this is a sign that your P-trap may not be doing its job of blocking sewer gases from escaping into your bathroom. If you're dealing with a mustier or general odor, then your P-trap could still be the problem, but in this case, it likely needs to be cleaned.
Risks of leaving a shower unused over time
If a shower is not used over a long period of time, this results in the formation of germs that can be harmful to health. Water stagnating in the pipes provides the ideal breeding ground for different kinds of bacteria.
When you first move into your home, run the bath and hand basin taps continuously for at least five minutes. This will flush through any bacteria. If your shower has not been used for a week or more, run water from both hot and cold supplies through the shower hose and showerhead for two minutes.
Pipes typically burst when exposed to extremely low temperatures for an extended period of time (anywhere from 1-3 days depending on temperature). This is especially true for pipes located on exterior walls. A frozen pipe is likely to burst when any water or liquid trapped within it freezes and begins to expand.
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.
Where is the odor coming from? Check your home's drains, toilets, and plumbing fixtures for any signs of leaks or damage. Look for cracks, loose connections, or broken seals allowing sewer gas to escape. Additionally, inspect your sewer vents on the roof or outside your home for any obstruction or damage.
If dry, the p-trap cannot perform its function correctly. To eliminate odors coming from a dry p-trap, pour half a gallon of water into the trap to restore the barrier. It will prevent the odors from seeping through the drain.
Here are some things to do if you have a bathroom that does not get used that often: The main thing is to run water in the sink, shower and flush the toilet at least once a week.
Bacterial growth: Inside your drain, there are bacteria that feed on organic matter. Static water can build up in the P-trap, the U-shaped pipe beneath the drain, when the bathroom fixture doesn't run for a while. This stagnant water turns into a haven for germs, which give out foul smells.
First, pour one cup of baking soda followed by one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain and allow the mixture to fizzle inside of the pipes for a few minutes. Once the fizzle starts to subside, rinse the drain with hot water.
P-traps, named after their shape, contain a u-shaped bend that filters wastewater as it enters a plumbing system. The trap is connected to a sink, bathtub, and shower with a J-bend on one end and exits into your drainage system. The J-bend is the section of the p-trap that resembles the letter J.
A sewer gas smell in the bathroom can be caused by:
evaporation of water in the P-trap piping. broken seal around the toilet in the wax ring or the caulk. A burst pipe. tree's roots have grown into or have caused damage to your sewer pipes.
Due to the frequent movement of water and waste through your plumbing system, and the varying use of different drains throughout the day, some issues can fluctuate. This means that you may only notice the symptoms of a problem, like a sewage smell, at certain times of the day or in response to certain action.
Answer: Only under extremely unusual circumstances. Although hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas, it will not harm people at the concentrations that exist in a house with sewer gas odor problems. Studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide has a depressant effect on the central nervous system in concentrations above 150 ppm.
If your shower drain smells musty, you may have mould growing underneath your drain cover. Feel the drain cover to see if it's loose. If your drain cover isn't perfectly sealed, that small wet space will be the perfect breeding ground for mould.
Very small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can be removed from water with activated carbon filters (Fig. 1). Activated carbon is used as a granular form in tank-type filters and as finely divided powder in a cartridge. The hydrogen sulfide is adsorbed onto the surface of the carbon particles.
Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) can give water a “rotten egg” taste or odor. This gas can occur in wells anywhere and be: Naturally occurring - a result of decay and chemical reactions with soil and rocks. Produced by certain “sulfur bacteria” in the groundwater, well, or plumbing system.
Legionella bacteria can build up in any shower, tap, or water outlet that is not used regularly as the water in the system remains stagnant. When turned on, bacteria will flow out of the system with water, and whoever is using the shower will breathe in aerosols containing Legionella bacteria.
Overall, it's best that you take heed and drip your faucets when temperatures dip below freezing. A simple trickle of hot and/or cold water—both from faucets inside and outside the home—can prevent you from having to deal with a much larger issue (and bill!) in the long run.
Constant expansion and contraction will put pressure on your unused plumbing, creating weaknesses. One false move – or one incredibly frosty night – and BAM! There goes the pipe. To prevent water from severely freezing you want to keep it running.