Stinky bathroom

Bl888 · 29 Dec 2020

Hugh Jaleak said:
Can you see/find the vent pipe in the loft? Also, perhaps some external pictures with a guide to whereabouts the soil pipe runs would help pinpoint any possible troublespots.

yes I see it in the loft see pic.

the soil
Pipe literally runs down the back of the house in the kitchen (boxed in) into the ground and runs through my kitchen and out at the front of the house. The manhole is on my front lawn.

strange thing. So tonight I did this:
1) taped up sink hole and vent
2) tape up shower
3) stuffed old newspaper to cover the big hole on side of toilet that leaves the soil pipe exposed from the boxing (see picture 2). Yet it still smells. I just can’t figure where it’s from and my nose isn’t picking up position it’s coming from
Pic 3 shows current ensuite setup as you see it’s all boxed in under sink cabinet. The large exposed hole is on the right of the toilet.

do you think it’s worth changing the flexi pipe connecting toilet to soil pipe?

Hugh Jaleak · 29 Dec 2020

Stand next to the AAV in the loft, get someone to flush one/both of the connected WC's, any noise/rattle from the AAV to indicate it's working? If it'll come off, I'd be tempted to remove it for a day or 2 and see if the smell disappears downstairs.

I'd replace the flexi connector as a matter of course, they're a cheap and nasty, time saving option for an installer who cant be bothered with the effort to do a proper job. Rats love them on Ground floor WC's, as the flexi's are translucent, ratty sees the light and thinks whooppee, a way out. Doesn't take him long to chew a hole through the thin plastic and he's off.

Bl888 · 29 Dec 2020

Hugh Jaleak said:
Stand next to the AAV in the loft, get someone to flush one/both of the connected WC's, any noise/rattle from the AAV to indicate it's working? If it'll come off, I'd be tempted to remove it for a day or 2 and see if the smell disappears downstairs.

I'd replace the flexi connector as a matter of course, they're a cheap and nasty, time saving option for an installer who cant be bothered with the effort to do a proper job. Rats love them on Ground floor WC's, as the flexi's are translucent, ratty sees the light and thinks whooppee, a way out. Doesn't take him long to chew a hole through the thin plastic and he's off.

would I need to modify anything with the grey soil pipe to connect to wc? I guess it’s a matter to measuring distance between soil pipe and wc exit. But as I cannot hold the grey soil pipe and when I push the new connector in will it cause issues ie pushing causing a joint disconnect on other side of soil pipe?

regarding vent, how do I remove it is it a twist on?

Bl888 · 30 Dec 2020

Hugh Jaleak said:
Stand next to the AAV in the loft, get someone to flush one/both of the connected WC's, any noise/rattle from the AAV to indicate it's working? If it'll come off, I'd be tempted to remove it for a day or 2 and see if the smell disappears downstairs.

I'd replace the flexi connector as a matter of course, they're a cheap and nasty, time saving option for an installer who cant be bothered with the effort to do a proper job. Rats love them on Ground floor WC's, as the flexi's are translucent, ratty sees the light and thinks whooppee, a way out. Doesn't take him long to chew a hole through the thin plastic and he's off.

ok so did the AAV test as you suggested. There is no noise/rattle. Only the sound of water passing by echoing. See video on YouTube with my phone right next to AAV. The clicking is me hitting it so ignore that

I have taken the AAV off now and will leave off. When I shake the AAV it does rattle. I’m worried I twisted the AAV pipe slightly but managed to position back.
Is the AAV broken as I have no idea how it is suppose to sound on a flush.

Hugh Jaleak · 30 Dec 2020

Pan connectors have fins on the end, which make a watertight joint, if you need to push it in so hard as it risks moving the 110mm pipe, something is wrong. if the existing 110mm pipe isn't long enough, extension pieces are available, just ensure it is adequately supported on a block of wood or similar to prevent the joint dropping.

As for the AAV, I'd be tempted to leave it off, see if things alter downstairs. Valve should open when required to allow air in, some I've known rattle when the WC is discharged, but that would just be a sign its working. Rattle when shaking it indicates the valve is free to move, so it should be ok. Reason I say leave it off is, it wont let positive pressure out, if there is an issue in the system causing pressure to build up and be vented via the shower then removal of the valve will allow that pressure to escape.

Bl888 · 30 Dec 2020

Hugh Jaleak said:
Pan connectors have fins on the end, which make a watertight joint, if you need to push it in so hard as it risks moving the 110mm pipe, something is wrong. if the existing 110mm pipe isn't long enough, extension pieces are available, just ensure it is adequately supported on a block of wood or similar to prevent the joint dropping.

As for the AAV, I'd be tempted to leave it off, see if things alter downstairs. Valve should open when required to allow air in, some I've known rattle when the WC is discharged, but that would just be a sign its working. Rattle when shaking it indicates the valve is free to move, so it should be ok. Reason I say leave it off is, it wont let positive pressure out, if there is an issue in the system causing pressure to build up and be vented via the shower then removal of the valve will allow that pressure to escape.

so the strange thing this morning. After blocking everything up and removing AAV the ensuite still had the stench this morning. Don’t get where it can be coming from. Unless it’s the flexi pipe that’s gone faulty.

Hugh Jaleak · 30 Dec 2020

If the smell is still occurring, even with stack pipe ventilated, I think you may have to start looking at other options, dead rodent somewhere is a possibility. Have you had any electrical issues lately?

lostinthelight · 30 Dec 2020

Out of interest, if you lift the inspection cover outside do you get the same smell...I presume mains drainage snd not septic tank.

Bl888 · 31 Dec 2020

lostinthelight said:
Out of interest, if you lift the inspection cover outside do you get the same smell...I presume mains drainage snd not septic tank.

nope no smell there

lostinthelight · 31 Dec 2020

If thats where the soil from the house enters the mains and no smell there wouldn't that suggest theres either a build up inside pipes or as suggested, something dead.
Earlier thus year I was looking for a sewage type pong and bunged my pipes in the inspection chamber to eliminate source from downstream which in my case was our septic system

Bl888 · 31 Dec 2020

lostinthelight said:
If thats where the soil from the house enters the mains and no smell there wouldn't that suggest theres either a build up inside pipes or as suggested, something dead.
Earlier thus year I was looking for a sewage type pong and bunged my pipes in the inspection chamber to eliminate source from downstream which in my case was our septic system

Bizarre one I did the sink/ shower/ toilet test from each bathroom whilst I was manning the drain outside the house and everything went through ok. Did the tissue test

Keithmac · 31 Dec 2020

We had a dead rat/ rodent in the partition wall at work years ago, it stunk for weeks.

Winter is the time you may have rodent ingress as they come in from the cold.

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