Stubborn smells in your bathroom can come from a variety of places, which can make them difficult to take care of. These smells often come from parts of your bathroom that aren't cleaned often, such as underneath your drains, or from places you can't see, like the inside of your water heater or behind plumbing fixtures. Thorough inspection, a detailed cleaning, and the assistance of a plumber to help take care of leaks, water damage, and water heater problems can help you finally get rid of that foul odor for good.

A Hidden Water Leak

Musty smells in your bathroom are often caused by mildew and mold, which in turn are usually caused by moisture that isn't dissipating quickly enough. Sometimes this can be caused by something simple, like towels under the sink that haven't been washed in a while; but, sometimes it can be a little more serious, like a leak that has developed under your bathtub which can spread under the floor and into the walls.

When cleaning fabrics that have a musty smell, you can use white vinegar along with detergent to help remove the smell. If this and a thorough cleaning don't fix the problem, but you see no immediate sign of water damage, there may be a leak somewhere you can't see. Call a plumber to inspect your bathroom and look for signs of hidden leaks, then have them fixed immediately. Apart from causing mold, water damage can cause wood rot, destroy insulation, and drip into ceilings on lower floors, so it needs to be taken care of as quickly as possible.

Water Heater Issues

If you only notice foul smells when you're using hot water, the problem could have something to do with your water heater. An odor of rotten eggs often comes as a result of the creation of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas that is created when magnesium dissolves. If your water heater uses a magnesium sacrificial anode rod, you might be smelling rotten eggs if the anode rod has started to corrode.

The fix for this is usually to have the anode rod replaced and your tank flushed. Once this is done and you run your hot water for a short while, the smell should dissipate. Since this involves working with very hot water, call a plumber for assistance.

Biofilm Buildup

Over time, bacteria starts to build on the collection of leftover soap, hair, and other cleaning products; the bacteria collects and builds on the inside of your drain pipes. This bacteria can start to smell very bad, and cleaning your bathroom as you normally do won't reach what's actually causing the smell. But, the good news is that getting rid of the smell only typically requires cleaning away the biofilm.

To start, remove your drain plugs and covers and scrub them clean. You can also use brushes and disinfectant to clean immediately inside the drains, which may be enough to fix the problem on its own. If it doesn't, a plumber can use more specialized tools to clean deeper into your drain pipes.

For more information, reach out to plumbing services in your area.  

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