Smelly shower

cookie1234

We are getting a smell coming in to our downstairs ensuite shower. I called our plumber and he says that the trap underneath must have failed and is letting the smell from the septic tank back in to the shower. The shower was only fitted 7 months ago as part of new build house. The plumber says our options are either get a plug for the drain to stop the smell coming up and take it out when the shower is used (which is rarely) or rip up the new tiles, dig out the underfloor heating etc and repair it.

My question is -

Is it likely the plumber is responsible for the problem and therefore cost of repair or can these things just happen?

We have been very happy with all his other work so I would like some more information before I make a fuss.

Thanks.

LIFFY FISHING

cookie1234 wrote: »

We are getting a smell coming in to our downstairs ensuite shower. I called our plumber and he says that the trap underneath must have failed and is letting the smell from the septic tank back in to the shower. The shower was only fitted 7 months ago as part of new build house. The plumber says our options are either get a plug for the drain to stop the smell coming up and take it out when the shower is used (which is rarely) or rip up the new tiles, dig out the underfloor heating etc and repair it.

My question is -

Is it likely the plumber is responsible for the problem and therefore cost of repair or can these things just happen?

We have been very happy with all his other work so I would like some more information before I make a fuss.

Thanks.

Traps dont "fail" they are either installed right or wrong...

DoneDL

Is the septic tank in need of emptying?

KK4SAM

Is their a vent stack on the loo ?

corkgsxr

If ye rarely use it could it just be the trap drying out

cookie1234

Thanks for replying so quickly.

The 2 of us have only been living in the house, which is a brand new build, for 6 months so hopefully septic tank doesn't need emptying already.

I'm not sure what a vent stack is, sorry!

We initially thought it was just the trap drying out so have been running shower every couple of days, but the smell keeps coming back.

What would you suggest is my best course of action with the plumber is if the trap hasn't failed but as been wrongly installed?

Thanks again

DoneDL

Check that there is water in the shower trap, fill the basin and pull the plug. I would wonder if the basin is sucking out the shower trap? Check also that the toilet is not doing the same.

cookie1234

Thanks DoneDL.

There is definately water in the shower trap and have just done what you suggested and neither basin or toilet affect the water level in the shower.

DoneDL

Check the drains, find the manhole closest to the shower because traps only work when the drains are clear.

Dtp79

cookie1234 wrote: »

We are getting a smell coming in to our downstairs ensuite shower. I called our plumber and he says that the trap underneath must have failed and is letting the smell from the septic tank back in to the shower. The shower was only fitted 7 months ago as part of new build house. The plumber says our options are either get a plug for the drain to stop the smell coming up and take it out when the shower is used (which is rarely) or rip up the new tiles, dig out the underfloor heating etc and repair it.

My question is -

Is it likely the plumber is responsible for the problem and therefore cost of repair or can these things just happen?

We have been very happy with all his other work so I would like some more information before I make a fuss.

Thanks.

If you have underfloor heating then there's a good chance one of the pipes is wrongly running under the shower tray near the trap. It's heating the water and drying out in no time at all. The problem is probably only showing itself now because the heating is working more than usual. When the floor of your ensuite is warm try and feel the water in your trap and see if its heated

cookie1234

Drains are clear and water from the shower runs through them when left on.

The trap doesn't seem to be drying out at all, there was water in it today and I hadnt ran the shower for a couple of days, but the smell was there too.

Thanks for the suggestions, it's probably clear to you, but I know next to nothing about plumbing.

roy rodgers

Check that the black rubber on the multiwick at the back of the toilet is pushed fully into the four inch pipe.
If its not the smell could be coming from there. I have seen that so many times before.