Why does my toilet smell (and how do I fix it) (2023)

You open the bathroom door and you smell something coming from the toilet. Ew, what's that? You guess why your toilet stinks and mentally prepare to find a gift in the bowl.

There is nothing in the bowl but toilet water.

You're sure the smell is coming from the toilet, so you investigate. Why does my toilet smell?

A smelly toilet is something that thousands of households have to deal with every day. We are taught to flush the toilet after use and we hide the smell with matches, potpourri or spray.

After all, leaving a smell in the bathroom is embarrassing if someone is following you. Sometimes our toilets stink, even if they haven't been used for hours or days. It's up to us to find out the cause.

Working with toilets has given me insight into the many things that go wrong with toilets. Sometimes it's a result of our own doing, while sometimes there's a more serious problem going on.

In this article, we discuss 7 reasons why your toilet stinks and what you can do about it. Let's take a closer look at your toilet!

7 Reasons Why Your Toilet Stinks (And How To Fix It)

1. Mold and mildew growth under the rim

You look in your bowl and it looks clean. So what could be causing the smell? There is a part of the bowl that you cannot see and it is below the rim.

To take a closer look, you need to use a hand mirror or put your head in the bowl. It may help to shut off the water to the bowl and flush the toilet (more headroom).

Under the rim you will see small "edge holes" where the water enters the bowl after a rinse. You may notice mold and mildew growing in this area.

These fungi are visible and unattractive. They have a distinct smell and are known to cause health problems as well.

It is in your best interest to clean it, especially if it is the source of the smell.Putting a wire in the holescan improve the power of your flush.

Fix it:

Even if you routinely clean your toilet bowl, you are probably missing the top rim of the bowl.

Cleaning the underside of the rim is a fairly easy task. You can use your trusty toilet brush and vinegar or bleach. If you use any of these liquids, be sure to wear gloves.

I suggest pouring a little vinegar or bleach into the bowl, then dipping the brush into the liquid and scrubbing around the top edge. Scrub around the rim of the bowl several times with 15-30 minutes between scrubbing.

If the mold and mildew are stubborn, a pumice stone or loofah may help.

2. Low water in the bowl

If the water level in the bowl is low, air may be leaking from the pipes through your toilet.

Your toilet, sink, and shower use a "trap" that helps prevent gas, odor, and waste from getting out of your pipes. When the bowl is filled with water, air and gas cannot rise up the toilet because water blocks the airflow.

If you haven't used your toilet for a long time, the water in the bowl can evaporate and a sewer smell can form in your bathroom.

Fix it:

Evaporation of toilet water only occurs when a toilet has not been used for a long time and the problem should be resolved when the toilet has been flushed and the bowl refilled. You may find it in cabins, beach houses, and vacation homes where toilets go unused for months.

3. Blocked vent line (in the wall)

Most people don't realize that a toilet has a vent pipe. The vent pipe allows gas to leave the pipes and provides an air pressure neutral environment in the pipes.

The vent pipe runs vertically behind the toilet (in the wall) and exits through the roof. It's unusual, but a vent pipe can become clogged and cause gas to creep up the toilet.

The result is a sewage smell that permeates the bathroom and it is not pleasant.

Fix it:

Unfortunately, it is difficult to access the vent yourself. Since it's inside the wall, it's best to look into the tube from the roof, where leaves, twigs, and even rodents can get stuck.

If you suspect your problem is the toilet vent, I suggest calling a plumber to take a closer look. Instead of removing part of the wall, your plumber can insert a small camera into the vent pipe without major damage.

4. Leaking washer

Have you ever heard of a wax ring? Most toilets have them, but you're unlikely to ever see them.

The wax ring sits on the floor and creates a seal between the toilet and the pipe in the floor. The wax ring is made of real wax and can last for decades, but can also wear out (especially at high temperatures, the wax can melt).

Signs of a leaking wax ring are moisture and moisture coming from under the toilet. The floorboards can be wet and if the leak has been present for a long time, the floor can rot.

A leaking wax ring is a major problem and must be fixed immediately.

Fix it:

The good news is that most able-bodied people can install a new wax ring. You will need to loosen and remove the toilet to install a new wax ring.

A new wax ring only costs a few dollars, but it will take a do-it-yourselfer an hour or two to complete the project (read more about replacing the wax ring).

If you remove the toilet and notice that the floor is damp around the toilet, call an expert to assess the damage. The floor may need to be replaced and the leak may have spread to other areas below the house.

5. Ordinary bunch

Even though you may not see any garbage in the bowl, there could be a clog lurking under the bowl. A blockage in the siphon can certainly cause a bad smell in the bathroom, but you may not realize there is a blockage until the next flush.

When I smell a funky toilet my first action is to flush the toilet and look at the water.

• Is it a normal flush?
• Has all the water gone down?

If there is a blockage, you will likely see a weak flush or water remaining in the bowl. If this is the source of the smell, then fixing it should be an easy task.

Fix it:

Grab a plunger (this is the right unblocker for a toilet) or a toilet hose. Operate the plunger a few times to loosen the clog orinsert the toilet hose into the bowland expand it all the way.

It shouldn't take much effort to clear a minor blockage in the pipes. Try rinsing again.

If the clog is stubborn, here are a few more ways to fix a clogged toilet.

6. There's something in the tank

If your toilet smells bad, there may be residue left in the bowl. If so, a flush will take care of it.

If the bowl is empty, you may also want to check the tank. Water in the tank can smell if left unflushed for a long time. Mold and mildew can also grow in the tank and be a potential cause of health problems.

If you have young children, they may have hidden something in the tank and forgotten about it. Hopefully they didn't put their pet fish, Nemo, in the tank (that would definitely cause an odor).

Fix it:

If you notice the smell coming from the tank of the toilet, it is wise to turn off the water, empty the tank by flushing it and use a sponge or cloth to clean the tank with bleach, vinegar or baking soda.

After cleaning, allow the tank to dry before refilling.

An additional step would be to add a few cups of vinegar to the tank once it's filled and let it sit for several hours. Vinegar is an excellent way to eat away stains, scum and bacteria and the best thing about vinegar is that it's completely natural.

7. Bacteria Growth From The Sewer Pipes

During hot, humid summers, bacteria can thrive in your sewer pipes. If bacteria thrive in your pipes and toilet, it can lead to a foul odor, especially if the bathroom lacks adequate ventilation.

Fix it:

This is another easy solution. If you think the growth of bacteria is causing your toilet to smell bad, add a cup of bleach to the water in the tank and bowl.

Use the toilet brush to mix the bleach and scrub the toilet. Let sit for an hour and rinse.

I prefer to use vinegarif possible, but both options work for bacteria.

After rinsing, wait a few hours before rinsing a 2^zdtime. Waiting allows the bleach or vinegar to do more work in the pipes under your toilet.

If you were to flush multiple times after the 1^stflushing would dilute the bleach or vinegar and end up far from the house.

Conclusion

Why does your toilet smell? Well, it could be for a variety of reasons, but a little research will help you find the reason.

In this article, I have shared many reasons why your toilet might smell bad. The reasons ranged from the following:

• Forgetful flusher
• Hide
• Low water level
• Clogged vent line
• Leaking washer
• Bacteria
• Tank
• Toilet rim (mold and mildew

Finding the source of the smell shouldn't be difficult as the toilet is a fairly small device. I always flush the toilet to make sure there is no blockage. Once a blockage has been ruled out, there are other places to check.

Bleach and vinegar work great to remove bacteria, mold and mildew. I like vinegar because it is natural.

Whether you use a natural cleaner or a chemical, make sure you soak it in the bowl or tank. After a while, flush once and let it sit in your pipes for a few more hours before flushing a second time.

I hope this article puts you on track to discover why your toilet stinks. The toilet is a smelly job, but Toilet Travel is always there to help. As always, thanks for reading and check out the blog for more handy toilet tips.