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Why Your Guest Bathroom Smells Like Sewer (Fixes)

  Why Your Guest Bathroom Smells Like Sewer (Fixes) A sewer-like odor in a guest bathroom is almost always a plumbing or drainage issue. Because guests may notice it immediately, it’s worth treating the smell as a warning sign: even if the problem is small (like a dried-out trap), it can point to a pathway that allows sewer gas to escape into your home.   Below are the most common reasons a bathroom smells like sewer—and practical steps to identify the culprit.   1) A dry P-trap or floor drain   Every sink, tub, and many shower drains use a “P-trap” (or similar trap) filled with water. That water forms a barrier that keeps sewer gas from entering the room. If a bathroom is rarely used—or the drain hasn’t been run in a while—the trap can evaporate, leaving the barrier gone.   What to do: Run water in each drain (sink, shower, tub) for 30–60 seconds. If the smell fades, a dry trap was ... Read more »
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Can You Flush the Toilet During a Power Outage?

 Can You Flush the Toilet During a Power Outage?

Can You Flush the Toilet During a Power Outage?


During a power outage, many households notice that toilets behave differently than usual. The short answer is: you may be able to flush, but it depends on how your home’s water and wastewater systems are set up—especially whether electricity is needed to move water from the municipal supply to your plumbing.

 

Most standard household toilets rely on two separate parts: a water source for the tank to refill and a flush mechanism that sends waste through the drain. The flush itself usually uses stored water in the tank, not electricity. However, the ability to refill the tank (and whether waste can move away) can be affected when power is out.

 

When flushing is usually possible

 

If your toilet is connected to a typical gravity-fed water supply and your building isn’t dependent on electrical pumps, the tank often still has enough water to complete a flush. In many homes, you can flush once or multipl ... Read more »

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