WC issue - please help! - HomeOwnersHub

Mrs Mouse · 2005-09-08T21:15:39+00:00

HiSorry to post here if wrong group but I am after some answers to a couple ofquestions and I have been pointed in this direction!I have just moved into a rented property (23/07) and the downstairs wcappears to be having some difficulties. In the mornings, there is adreadful chemical stench which seems to go after a little while (or we getused 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 forthcomingwith either any answers or repairs.The wc is vented appropriately (it is in the middle of the house and thereis an extractor fan in there), the smell appears to be there in themornings, regardless of whether the door is open or not which leads me tobelieve that we become accustomed to the smell after a short while ratherthan it dissipating, the smell is a definite chemical smell rather than an'organic waste(!)' smell but cannot be described further. The soil stack inthe toilet is about 5 inches higher than the cistern (so about 3.5ft-ishtotal) and I believe it to be fitted with an aav or durgo valve, but cannotconfirm.My questions are:a) what is causing this smell?b) is it harmful (we have 3 children aged 7,5 and 3 as well as my husbandand myself)c) what can I do to fix it?Many thanks in advance for your help/advice!Clare

WC issue - please help!

Sep 08, 2005 25 Replies

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Set Square 20 years ago

But from the OP's subsequent description of the cap at the top of the sub-stack, I'm pretty sure that there *isn't* an AAV.

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NikV 20 years ago

apparently the smell of H2S is so strong (assuming normal senses) that it is almost impossible die from it - it becomes physically unbearable retching/vomitting at concentrations 1000 times below lethal concentrations, iirc it is detectable at levels of parts per billion

Nik

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Dave Jones 20 years ago

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Set Square 20 years ago

It *could* be - but it doesn't look too much like her description.

[It would help if you left out the space in the link between the slash and the P]

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Dave Jones 20 years ago

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Pete C 20 years ago

Hi,

Is the loo carpeted? It could be someone has spilled a lot of loo cleaner on it at some point and the smell accumulates overnight.

BTW if putting the plug in the sink overnight to see if it helps, tape over the overflow too.

cheers, Pete.

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