Razzle1980
Member
I've been dealing with the same drain issue for over a year now. It started about a year after we did major construction, which included all new ABS drainage piping in our slab concrete foundation (main drain is 4").
Our master bathroom shower, which is a step down shower and the furthest point in the house from the street (1-story house), has a periodic smell coming from the drain. There's water in the p-trap, but the water itself reeks of rotten eggs from time to time. I've siphoned the water and smelled it, so I can confirm the water is somehow getting contaminated. I've done a coliform bacteria test and hydrogen sulfide test, which have both been negative. Weeks might go by where it doesn't smell, and then it will all of a sudden come back, day after day no matter how many times the shower is used. I can't figure out what the problem is not can multiple plumbers I've had come take a look at it, including the plumbers who installed everything. I have a tankless water heater and no water backup issues.
One of the plumbers pointed out that my setup was odd, because next to the step down shower, I have a toilet which is higher in elevation. He though there might be an issue with that connection, which is what prompted me to do a coliform bacteria test on the smelly water in the p-trap, which was negative.
Any thoughts? I'm considering possibly pursuing legal action against my contractor who has given up on exploring solutions because I'm all out of options.
Our master bathroom shower, which is a step down shower and the furthest point in the house from the street (1-story house), has a periodic smell coming from the drain. There's water in the p-trap, but the water itself reeks of rotten eggs from time to time. I've siphoned the water and smelled it, so I can confirm the water is somehow getting contaminated. I've done a coliform bacteria test and hydrogen sulfide test, which have both been negative. Weeks might go by where it doesn't smell, and then it will all of a sudden come back, day after day no matter how many times the shower is used. I can't figure out what the problem is not can multiple plumbers I've had come take a look at it, including the plumbers who installed everything. I have a tankless water heater and no water backup issues.
One of the plumbers pointed out that my setup was odd, because next to the step down shower, I have a toilet which is higher in elevation. He though there might be an issue with that connection, which is what prompted me to do a coliform bacteria test on the smelly water in the p-trap, which was negative.
Any thoughts? I'm considering possibly pursuing legal action against my contractor who has given up on exploring solutions because I'm all out of options.
