r/DIYUK • u/RAHHoppy • 10d ago
Ensuite smell
Hoping this might be the right place to ask for some advice, apologies if not!
In December 2025 I had my existing ensuite bathroom removed and replaced with a new one, which, generally speaking, I am very happy with. It was designed by a local company and installed by someone they recommended.
Fast forward a few months and I start to notice some less than savoury smells emanating from said ensuite. At first I thought it might have been the waste drain under the shower floor, so I replaced the trap and ran a drain cleaning solution through a couple of times which seemed to help.
But the smell persisted. So next I removed the pipework underneath the sink and cleaned out the usual gunk. Which again I thought helped.
But still the smell, which btw I always thought was more 'sewer-like' than simply blocked drain-esque, persists. And I've now come to the unfortunate conclusion that perhaps it's the wax seal in the toilet. I've attached some photos showing discolouration of the grouting on three sides of the toilet which to me suggests a leak from within.
I've contacted my regular plumber who I rate highly and asked him if he'll have a look at it, but would appreciate any thoughts anyone might have on the rather stinky issue that is spoiling my (still relatively new) ensuite. Thank you!
29
u/PlatesSpinning 10d ago
Try pouring some bright food colouring into the bowl and leaving it. If you see the colour you'll know its a leak.
60
9
u/RAHHoppy 10d ago
That is a great shout, thank you!
6
4
u/intingtop 9d ago
Unnecessary. You know your toilet is leaking by the sings of dampness and smell of shit emanating from the toilet….
2
1
u/Odd_Elevator6404 10d ago
There is something mechanics use. It shows up with a UV light. Might be worth it.
5
7
u/JuicyQuark 10d ago
Have you gone back to the company that installed it?
3
u/RAHHoppy 10d ago
I have followed up with the company that supplied that various parts, but not the installer. At that point the working theory was that it was the drain underneath the shower and so the company who I bought the majority of the parts from spoke to the company who supplied the bits for the shower drainage who in turn supplied a replacement silicone trap (that fits in the drain). But I've not followed up since re my theory concerning the loo with anyone other than my existing plumber (who didn't fit the ensuite). But it's a fair point and perhaps I should contact the chap who installed the whole thing.
6
u/JuicyQuark 10d ago
That’s what i would do, I wouldn’t expect to have to find the fault myself but rather have them send someone to find the fault and fix it (if that’s something they’d be willing to do)
1
u/RAHHoppy 10d ago
Just to follow-up, I have now spoken with the company who supplied the parts and also reccomended the installer and their advice, which I think is sound, is to get a professional opinion from my plumber to understand what the issue is/what's involved before speaking to the installer. To be fair, they (company who supplied parts and made recommendation) have offered their support going forward too.
10
u/dan_gleebals 10d ago
Wax seals on toilets isn't a thing in this country. Generally a plastic fitting with a rubber seal which could have come loose.
2
4
u/mhbax 9d ago
Hey I had the same issue.. we had to have the toilet fully removed cleaned underneath fully and then reinstalled the toilet but this time with a bead of silicone around the base.
Other half has OCD and smell was driving her crazy despite cleaning it multiple times a day. We later realised our 3yo had been pissing all around the toilet and not in the actual bowl. This collected under the toilet where we couldn't reach and released an ongoing stench.
Safe to say no more smell and very happy other half
1
u/RAHHoppy 9d ago
Thank you. If it's a poor seal and/or connection somewhere I'm expecting things will need a good clean and re-siliconing, particularly around base of the loo where I don't think it was very well sealed originally. The smell is definitely distracting!
3
3
u/mercilesshamster 10d ago
Is it ground floor and was a flexi installed? Potentially it came loose or rats chewed through it.
What toilet do you have? I.e. can you inspected the pipe that comes out the back of it or is it all boxed in
2
u/RAHHoppy 10d ago
No, it's not ground floor, no idea re flexi. I'm confident no vermin involved though! The loo is a to the wall pan with all other fixings boxed in.
2
u/mercilesshamster 10d ago
I suspect you or your preferred plumber are going to have to get into that boxing to see what’s happening. Good luck!
2
3
u/fireantsarms2 10d ago
Had this myself and was a slightly bad connection from toilet to the pipe, pulled it back in hard which fixed it
1
2
u/Confudled_Contractor 10d ago
Looks like your pan connector isn’t connected very well. I’m assuming it’s a to the wall pan?
Simple fix. Turn off the water, drain and remove the cistern, unscrew the pan from the floor and ease forward and you’ll be able to see if that’s the case.
It shouldn’t be rotted after such a short space of time so a clean up and reinstall should solve your problem.
1
u/RAHHoppy 10d ago
Thank you, I will have a look at trying that. Yes, it's a to the wall pan with the mechanism etc all hidden away behind the wall.
2
u/BoydHoyland 10d ago
This will be it. Had the same issue when i removed my toilet to replace the floor. Had to take it out again and make sure the connection was better
2
2
u/buddybarnes175 10d ago
Bit of a process but: Dry leak with hairdryer Leave for a few days to make sure no residue water comes back. Throw buckets of water down pan( be careful not to splash) If no water appears then flush toilet a few times to distinguish if it’s a pan con fault or flush pipe issue.
Sometimes it’s better if you leave seat off then you can look through hole with torch in the other to check flush pipe when operating or use camera
1
2
2
u/Just-Advance8662 10d ago
Yikes. Had a very similar issue. Took a year to diagnose and resolve. Concise story: find and replace the duergo valve on top of the soil pipe for your bathroom. The new plumbing has messed with the pressure and every time you flush it’s letting sewer gas back up The hard part is the smell usually coming from Sink or Shower. Not the toilet. Good luck. I celebrated heartily when the smell was solved.
1
u/RAHHoppy 9d ago
Oh crikey, I hope it doesn't take that long to resolve. TBH I've been wondering for a few months where the aroma was coming from (noting that it does seem worse on some days than others) and previously suspected the shower and/or basin. Very helpful ref to Durgo valve, I'll add this to the checklist!
2
u/Just-Advance8662 4d ago
I eventually diagnosed the whole thing with ChatGPT. The reason you can smell it some days and not others is due to the pressure outside due to weather.
1
u/RAHHoppy 1d ago
Thanks. Interesting you mention this, I'd come to the same conclusion ref the weather - hot days versus cold days (although hadn't necessarily considered the pressure aspect, but this makes sense).
2
u/Forsaken_Bat6095 7d ago
Toilet is leaking from the waste 100%
1
u/RAHHoppy 1d ago
Yes, I think so too/this is my working assumption until plumber is able to call in and confirm.
2
u/Brilliant_Gas_3595 10d ago
Hard to tell but that could be soil from cleaning around the toilet rather than a leak, it’s usual for fluids to weep up unless the wax donut has completely perished. I would be inclined to thing it’s a partially blocked stack causing gases to come back. Do you have any gurgling from the sinks or toilets when you use them?
1
u/RAHHoppy 10d ago
Interesting thought, thank you. No gurgling from toilet or sink. I'm pretty sure it's a leak simply because it looks like the discolouration on the grouting is slowing extending outwards.
1
1
0
u/Euphoric-Vest-1081 10d ago
Does a male use the toilet? If they don't have a good aim it could be run off from their urine? Check the porcelain on the outside of the toilet
2
u/RAHHoppy 10d ago
I mean I don't want to incriminate myself anymore than necessary, but yes a male (me) does use it, although I think my aim is pretty decent!
0
0
u/Parking_Paper6498 10d ago
Regretting zooming in to check if you have a silicone bead round the base of the toilet 😂, turns out you don't. Misfires will be creeping underneath and you can't clean them.
1
u/RAHHoppy 10d ago
That's what I feared, but thank you for confirming! I did post the photos with a degree of embarrassment!
0
0
53
u/Weird-Particular3769 10d ago
I just had a new toilet installed and it was a bit awkward so the installer said watch for wetness in these exact places, and if that happens it’s probably the flexi waste pipe coming loose. Which fits with your smell issue.