sewer odor in shower

[JeanetteB]

MBR bathroom stall shower rebuilt (new trap, new tile, etc.) in 1994. Strong sewer odor coming from shower drain after showering began this summer. Very unpleasant!
Tried baking soda and clorox treatments — no luck. Had plumber snake out drain (was clean anyway) and add strong chemical. No change.
HELP!!!

[Retired plbg1Participant]

Does the trap hold its seal when toilet is flushed, are any other fix. used. Your trap might be syphonning. Try some allergy treatment from swimming pool co.

[jfrankstonParticipant]

Dear Retired Plbg,

Thanks for responding. This is an old house (75 years) with 5 toilets, 2 tub/showers, and one stall shower (in MBR next to toilet).

When you inquire about the trap holding its seal when a toilet is flushed, do you mean do we smell sewer gas from the shower when the toilet next to it is flushed? If so, the answer is yes. Just tried it and detected sewer gas smell — much sublter than after the shower is used, but definitely sewer gas.

Not sure what you mean about other fixtures. Bathroom in question has stall shower, toilet next to it and sink 8 fett away. Other bathroom on same floor (second) has tub/shower, sink and toilet.

There’s another full bathroom on third floor (not directly overhead MBR Bath) with tub/shower, sink and toilet. That tub/shower is rarely used. Could that contribute to my problem?

First floor has half-bath and basement has toilet and slop sink nearby.

Will await your response before shopping for allergy treatment from swimming pool supplier.

Thanks!

JFrankston
B

[kenmarshParticipant]

Your plumbing needs a vent (or your existing vent may be clogged) so it sucks the water from another trap to get to the fresh air. If it is possible to get to the roof, run water through the plumbing vent that goes through the roof (Either a hose or a bucked of water) and have someone at the same time look in the main house cleanout to see if the water is going through the system. If not, you have a clog somewhere. Good Luck.

[Author]

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