shower in my new house smells terrible

logo908

Member
Aug 9, 2008
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I'm sharing a bathroom with 4 other guys in my new place, and one thing I've noticed over the past couple weeks is that something in there smells god damn unholy. It's not the smell of shit either, but rather something else from inside the shower. It's not overwhelming and only once in a bit do I get a whiff of it.

Anyway I made a hypothesis that it is caused by one of my roommates extra strength dandruff shampoo, which contains selenium sulfide. Maybe the sulfide is getting oxidized to sulfur, in very small amounts, causing the god awful smell.

Anyone else with dandruff shampoo especially with selenium sulfide have the same problem, noticing any foul ass stenches?
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
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the drain/pipe is probably clogged up with disgusting shit, clean that fucker out.
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
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Mold? Incorrect plumbing allowing sewer gases (doesn't have to smell like shit) coming through the drain?
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
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Incorrect plumbing allowing sewer gases (doesn't have to smell like shit) coming through the drain?

This happened with the drainage of my air-conditioner, took a couple of years to narrow it down as it only occurred under certain circumstances.
 

Pardus

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2000
8,197
21
81
when more than one person uses the same shower, you get a lot of bacteria/mold/clumps of human matter. you prob want to get something to eat though that and clean it out.

get a drainstick and and try to pull up whatever is down there. Then try a non-acid drain remover. don't use liquid plumber or bleach, worthless.

consider doing this every 6 months as part your bathroom routine.
 

Kreon

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2006
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I use Selenium Sulfide dandruff shampoo. It's sold as Selsun Blue (brand name), though there are generic versions as well.

I have never had an issue with it causing my drain to smell. Either at home with my parents or in my dorm (which there are 4 people who use my bathroom).

As others have said, the issue is likely crud in your drain.
 

iGas

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2009
6,240
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the drain/pipe is probably clogged up with disgusting shit, clean that fucker out.
I second this, get a Zip-It drain tool to remove the clog if indeed you have a clog.

Sulfur smell could indicate that you may have a broken sewer line or a failed trap (leaking trap) that allows sewer gas to enter into your house.

I would check the crawl space or basement underneath the shower to make sure that the plumbing not leaking.
 

FeuerFrei

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2005
9,144
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The U-bend under the drain is cracked open and water drains out beneath allowing sewer gas to flow freely up the pipe.
 

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
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Mold? Incorrect plumbing allowing sewer gases (doesn't have to smell like shit) coming through the drain?

In my old office, the p-trap had completely dried out in this old, unused shower in the back. Made an awful smell. Worth checking if the house has been vacant for a while. Pipes might need cleaned or seals have rotted.
 

flamingelephant

Golden Member
Jun 22, 2001
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10 bucks says that the shower was installed with no trap and that's sewer gas you smell... Only way to fix it is to tear up the base and add one
 

iGas

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2009
6,240
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In my old office, the p-trap had completely dried out in this old, unused shower in the back. Made an awful smell. Worth checking if the house has been vacant for a while. Pipes might need cleaned or seals have rotted.
It is common for the water seal in p-trap to dry out in un use fixture, however it normally take weeks for that to happen pending temperature, humidity level, and depth of trap seal.

Trap seal by code is 2"~8" of water. Pour some vegetable oil or trap seal oil in the trap to stop the water from evaporate if the fixture doesn't gets regular usage. Or, go with standard and install a trap primer.