I've been dealing with this weird sewer-y smell coming from my bathroom for weeks now. Tried everything from candles to air fresheners, but you know, that's just masking the issue, not fixing it. Anyway, a buddy of mine who knows his way around plumbing suggested checking the drains and traps. Turns out, the water in one of the traps had evaporated (didn't even know that could happen, honestly), allowing the sewer gas to sneak up into the room.
So I poured some water down the drain to refill the trap, and boom—problem solved. Well, mostly. I also started pouring a cup of vinegar down there once in a while to keep things fresh. Seems to be working pretty good so far.
Curious if anyone else has stumbled onto simple fixes like this or maybe has other tips? I'm no plumber, so I'm all ears for anything else that might help keep my bathroom from smelling like Shrek's swamp.
Had something similar happen in my old house—built in the 1920s, so plumbing quirks are basically part of the charm, lol. Turns out the guest bathroom drain trap dried out whenever we didn't use it for a while. Started running water down there every week or two, and it kept the swampy smell away. Vinegar's a great idea too, might give that a shot myself... beats lighting candles every day, that's for sure.
Had a client with a similar issue a while back—older home, lots of character, and yep... swampy bathroom smells included. A couple things that helped:
- Pouring a bit of mineral oil down the drain after running water—it slows evaporation in rarely-used traps.
- Adding baking soda before vinegar (little fizz action helps clear buildup).
- And if you're feeling creative, a few drops of essential oils (like eucalyptus or citrus) mixed in can freshen things up nicely.
Definitely beats buying candles in bulk, lol.
Mineral oil trick is pretty clever, hadn't thought of that one before. But honestly, if the smell is persistent, I'd recommend checking a few other things too. Older homes often have plumbing quirks—like venting issues or dried-out traps—that can cause odors to linger no matter how many essential oils you toss down there.
Had a client once whose bathroom smelled swampy no matter what they tried. Turned out the vent stack on the roof was partially blocked by debris and leaves. Once they cleared that out, the smell vanished almost overnight. So, if you're comfortable getting up there (or hiring someone who is), it's worth checking out.
Also, don't underestimate the power of proper ventilation inside the bathroom itself. If your exhaust fan is ancient or barely working, moisture and odors will just hang around. Upgrading to a stronger, quieter fan with a humidity sensor can make a huge difference. I've seen bathrooms go from swampy to spa-like just by improving airflow.
And while baking soda and vinegar are great for minor buildup, sometimes you need something stronger. Enzyme-based drain cleaners (the eco-friendly kind, not the harsh chemical stuff) can break down organic matter more effectively. They're especially good if you suspect hair or soap scum buildup deeper in the pipes.
Lastly, if your bathroom has tile floors or walls, check the grout lines. Old grout can absorb moisture and odors over time, becoming a hidden source of that swampy smell. A thorough cleaning and resealing of grout lines can freshen things up dramatically.
Anyway, just my two cents from dealing with plenty of older homes. Good luck—hope you get that swamp smell sorted soon.
Good points about the vent stack and grout. Had a similar issue in one of my rental properties—tenants complained about a persistent musty smell. Here's what worked for me step-by-step:
1. Checked and cleared the roof vent (it was partially clogged with leaves).
2. Replaced the old exhaust fan with a stronger, quieter model.
3. Deep-cleaned and resealed grout lines.
After these steps, tenants said the smell was gone completely. Worth a shot if you're still having issues.
