"Set Square" wrote in message
...
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Mrs Mouse wrote:
Hi
Sorry to post here if wrong group but I am after some answers to a
couple of questions and I have been pointed in this direction!
I have just moved into a rented property (23/07) and the downstairs wc
appears to be having some difficulties. In the mornings, there is a
dreadful chemical stench which seems to go after a little while (or
we get used to it - not sure which!). The landlord was informed of
this problem, initially 4 weeks ago and a few more times since, but
is not forthcoming with either any answers or repairs.
The wc is vented appropriately (it is in the middle of the house and
there is an extractor fan in there), the smell appears to be there in
the mornings, regardless of whether the door is open or not which
leads me to believe that we become accustomed to the smell after a
short while rather than it dissipating, the smell is a definite
chemical smell rather than an 'organic waste(!)' smell but cannot be
described further. The soil stack in the toilet is about 5 inches
higher than the cistern (so about 3.5ft-ish total) and I believe it
to be fitted with an aav or durgo valve, but cannot confirm.
My questions a
a) what is causing this smell?
b) is it harmful (we have 3 children aged 7,5 and 3 as well as my
husband and myself)
c) what can I do to fix it?
Many thanks in advance for your help/advice!
Clare
Can you tell where the smell is coming from - toilet pan, top of the
stack,
washbasin, etc.? Does the thing at the top of the stack look something
like
http://tinyurl.com/dw2pu ? If so, it's probably an air admittance valve
(AAV).
I assume that the smell is coming from the sewer by one means or another.
It
seems to me that the most likely possibilities a
* the AAV is letting gas *out* as well as taking it in, or
* the AAV isn't working at all - with the result that any depressions in
the
sewer will 'pull' the traps in the washbasin and/or shower tray - removing
the water barrier and giving a direct air path to the sewer. As soon as
you
have flushed some water down whatever it is, the barrier is restored.
If one or more traps *are* being pulled, you need to ensure that the AAV
*is* working, and possibly replace the traps with deeper ones -
particularly
if you only have a simple U bend at the moment.
--
Cheers,
Set Square
______
Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is invalid.
Thanks for your quick reply
The top of the soil stack doesn't look like the picture. It's a screw-on
cap-type top (like those on a coffee jar is probably the best way I can
describe it!) about 5" diameter, just over an inch deep and flat on the top.
Haven't unscrewed it completely as I'm a little afraid what I may unleash!
Not entirely certain where exactly the smell is coming from either - the wc
is extremely small! I'm pretty sure that the smell disappears prior to a
flush, but my husband disagrees - although that could be a speed issue
IYSWIM! Have just been in to see if I can smell it, and I can, but not as
pungent as it is first thing in the morning - probably due to overnight
build-up (or lack thereof)!
I googled this issue and found an article telling me that I may drop dead
soon from Hydrogen Sulphide inhalation - hence my slight anxiety! However
please don't mistake me for a neurotic woman who believes everything the
internet tells her lol! This was my reasoning for asking here rather than
checking myself into the local hospital!!!!
Thanks again
Clare