Why Does It Smell When I Flush My Toilet?

When a toilet is flushed, it’s supposed to take bad smells away from us. Yet, sometimes flushing a toilet can result in the room being filled with the foul odor of sewage. If flushing your toilet isn’t a pleasant experience for your senses, there might be a problem with how it’s working.

To learn more about why toilets can smell, keep reading this post or call our Durham plumbers now to schedule an appointment with our team.

5 Reasons Toilets Can Smell When Flushed

You’ve just flushed the toilet, and an unpleasant odor fills the air instead of a clean, fresh scent. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Smelly toilets are a common issue many homeowners face, and they can be quite a nuisance. But why do toilets smell when flushed?

There are several potential causes, each with its solution. In this article, we’ll explore five reasons toilets can smell when flushed, helping you understand the source of the problem and how to address it effectively.

1. Not Enough Water in the Bowl

If a toilet hasn’t been used for a while, water can evaporate from its lower part. Water helps keep out smells from the sewage system a toilet is connected to. In these instances, flushing your toilet will add the water needed to remove the foul smells again. If the problem persists, you might need to look into other causes of odors.

A toilet doesn’t have to remain unused for a long time for it to lose enough water to develop smells. If you have pets, they might be drinking from the toilet bowl, causing its water level to get low enough to allow smells to develop.

2. A Damaged Sealing Ring

Toilets have a wax seal ring between them and a sewer line. If this ring becomes worn, it can break the seal that keeps sewage smells from entering a home. Signs of a broken wax seal include a toilet that rocks or water gathering around the base of a toilet. Occasionally, using a plunger too often can also break a toilet’s seal, as it creates too much pressure for it.

3. Clogged Sewer Vents

Believe it or not, the cause of your toilet’s stench might be above your head. Sewer vents are pipes on roofs that allow sewage gases to escape. Sometimes, these vents can become clogged, forcing the gas from your sewage system into your home.

A sign of a clogged vent is a gurgling sound in your tub each time you flush. This sound might be happening because gases are escaping through your tub instead of your clogged vents.

4. Cracked Toilets

If a toilet is cracked, it can allow gases to slowly enter a bathroom. While many people think a cracked toilet is always made obvious by leaking water, this isn’t always true. Sometimes, the only symptom of a cracked toilet is a foul odor.

5. Blocked Pipes

If your sewage drain is clogged, odors can be released each time a toilet is flushed. Having blocked pipes fixed as soon as possible can help prevent other disasters from happening, such as overflowing toilets.

A smelly toilet can be a frustrating problem, but it’s not one you have to tackle alone. Whether you’re facing a blocked vent pipe, a clogged drain line, or any other plumbing issue, JD Service Now has the expertise and experience to help. While some problems can be resolved with simple DIY methods, others may require professional attention.

Remember, it’s always better to address plumbing issues sooner rather than later to prevent further damage and inconvenience. So don’t let toilet odors linger – reach out to JD Service Now today and let us take care of all your plumbing needs.

If your toilet smells, don’t wait. Have the problem solved quickly by our North Carolina plumbing experts. Call us now or reach out online to find out more.