Pervasive urine smell in bathroom.

Ever since some repairs were made to the bathroom above mine, there has been a strong smell of urine down here. The repairs necessitated cutting a hole in the drywall ceiling, which has not yet been repaired. The plumber says he can’t smell anything, but I suspect that means he has lost his sense of smell! Has anyone else had a problem like this? I am female and do not spray, obviously, and have repeatedly mopped the floor and do not see any leaks from above. Do you think replacing the whole ceiling will help?

crat

in Plumbers and Plumbing 13 years and 9 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

wildsummer | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4899 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4888 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "179472"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "wildsummer"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B4S2l65I20dK/VGKYW1wlvQSpqG1TK."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "wildsummer"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(27) "WilderSummer30317@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(52) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/wildsummer/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:41:13"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "wildsummer"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(179472)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

This is really disgusting. I feel so sorry for you! Did you had the complete ceiling replacement already? Did it work? I think the tingerswagon recommendation is the one which I would have tried out. Not sure if it helps though. The last chance: Use a stong fresh-air spray.

BHS | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4898 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4897 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "11181"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "BHS"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "bhs"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "smythraina@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(18) "/forums/users/bhs/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:14:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "BHS"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(11181)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Do you clean your toilet with a product containing bleach? If you’re using a multi-purpose cleaning product that doesn’t contain bleach or isn’t specifically formulated for toilet bowl cleaning, that can leave a urine-smelling bowl despite looking spotless to the eye. Just an easy thing to try before you spend more on demo or plumbers. I’m somebody who likes to use the least harsh product that works, but for the toilet you really need a proper disinfectant.

stevecym | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4894 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4900 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "21525"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "stevecym"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "stevecym"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "stevecymbalsky@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "/forums/users/thetinkerswagon/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:05:31"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "xLyD4JX1CSeJzFu7zs4j"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "stevecym"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(21525)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Listen, I cannot tell where this is coming from based on what you are saying here, but I am going to give you two ideas that may help if you find that some of the grout or tile has been spolied by urine. There is a product made by neutron industries (1800-421-8481) which will eat the uric salts or other matter which create this kind of odor.  It can be purchased in quart bottles and is sprayed onto the suspect area.  Follow the directions.  This worked for us in a commercial building where men had missed the mark for years.  You can also try pet odor remover (I think Zep products make a good product). Steve

Tomkinley | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4899 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4901 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "69265"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "Tomkinley"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "Tomkinley"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(29) "tom.kinley.tom@googlemail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(51) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/tomkinley/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-08-30 11:53:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "Tomkinley"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(69265)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I think the caulking around the toilet base was old and cracking. Just replaced it and it solved your problem. Maybe the smell was coming from the underneath the base.

Rick | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4898 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4902 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1470"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(4) "Rick"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BAu.JvH2s1Xx4WSWCj1RPGTP7/OK53/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "rick"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "r.ladd.bklyn@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(46) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/rick/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:11:46"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "Rick"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1470)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You shouldn’t smell anything If the toilet wax seal is in place and you have no leaks. Perhaps some guy is missing the bowl? If that’s the case, urine can soak in the grout. Guys can be such pigs! Anyway, perhaps once the hole in the ceiling is patched the smell will go away.