Why Does My Clean Toilet Smell So Bad?

If you are asking yourself, “Why does my toilet smell so gross?” it’s safe to say you’ve tried cleaning and disinfecting, but the odor just isn’t budging. No homeowner wants their toilet to smell. It can be unpleasant for everyone in the house and downright embarrassing if you have guests. While it may be tempting to light candles and spray air freshener products to cover up the smelly toilet problem, it really doesn’t solve the issue. In fact, doing this can introduce toxins to the air, decreasing your home’s indoor air quality.

If you’ve thoroughly cleaned your toilet and still have an odor coming from the area, there are a few possible reasons for the toilet smell. You can always call on a trusted professional plumber from Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing, a Neighbourly company, to diagnose it, or you can do some sleuthing on your own.

Here are some common reasons why your clean toilet smells:

Improperly Installed, Blocked, or Damaged Vent Pipe

The primary sign pointing to vent pipe problems is a toilet that looks and functions fine but continues to emanate a foul odor that fills the bathroom area, no matter how much you clean. Carefully check the place on your roof where the toilet vent pipe releases sewer gasses. If it is covered by leaves or debris, the gasses won’t be able to escape, leading to a stinky toilet. Remove any debris covering the pipe to see if it makes a difference. You may not be able to tell with a visual assessment in the case of a severed or improperly installed vent pipe. If you think this may be the problem, it’s best to contact a plumber for professional diagnosis and repair.

Loose Toilet Bolts or Broken Flange

It’s pretty simple to tell if your toilet has a broken flange or loose bolts: the toilet will rock or wobble. The first thing to test is to tighten the two bolts fastening the toilet to the floor. If this doesn’t resolve the odor, there may be a problem with the wax ring or flange that are supposed to create an air- and water-tight seal between the toilet and the waste pipe. If you are not familiar with these components of a toilet, call a plumber to investigate.

Damaged or Missing Toilet Seal

If there is no caulk sealing the seam between the toilet base and the floor, any water or urine that has seeped under the toilet can encourage bacteria growth. This by itself can cause odor issues in your bathroom. While you may be able to seal the odor into the floor by putting down a new bead of caulk around the toilet base, it’s a good idea to remove the toilet and clean it underneath it first. If you are not comfortable removing your toilet, call your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing for help.

Damaged Toilet That May Require Replacement

If you’ve determined the smelly toilet issue isn’t the vent pipe, bolts, flange, or seal, you may be dealing with a damaged toilet or a more serious plumbing problem, which requires an experienced plumber. Has trying to diagnose the issue left you holding your nose with one hand and scratching your head with the other? It’s time to call on a trusted professional plumber from Mr. Rooter for toilet repair or replacement.

Why Does My Toilet Smell? Ask Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Help

The truth is, sometimes it’s just easier to go straight to the pros for toilet repair or replacement solutions. Your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing is available to make the process hassle-free for you. Connect with the local plumbing experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing to eliminate your toilet odors for good. Call us today or schedule an appointment online.