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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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Fatbergs: the grease monsters growing under our cities

 Fatbergs: the grease monsters growing under our cities

Fatbergs: the grease monsters growing under our cities


In cities across the world, sewer workers are battling something increasingly common and increasingly massive: fatbergs. These are not single spills of grease, but slow-growing, rock-hard tangles of fat, cooking oils, wipes, and other refuse that accumulate inside underground pipes.

 

The name “fatberg” reflects their texture and scale—once formed, they can resemble boulders of grime. As they expand, they block flow, trigger backups, and force costly repairs that can disrupt local neighborhoods and public services.

 

What fatbergs are made of

 

Fatbergs are typically fed by everyday household waste. Grease poured down drains or left to solidify after washing, combined with “flushable” wipes and other non-biodegradable items, creates a sticky environment where debris collects. Even small actions repeated over time can contribute to a serious buildup.

 

Once the mixtur ... Read more »

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