Why Does My Toilet Smell like Urine? - HomePander

Why Does My Toilet Smell like Urine?

Despite regular cleaning, the toilet still sometimes smells like urine. We know how disappointed this makes you. Wondering why this smell persists and how to remove it for good?

So, “Why does my toilet smell like urine?”

The biggest reason why the toilet smells like urine is that the plumbing gets clogged. The clog could be in either the toilet drain or the vent pipe. Corrosion to the wax sealing or a broken P trap is two further possibilities. 

These are only a few examples. In this post, we will discuss further reasons for this problem as well as appropriate solutions. So come along, everybody!

8 Reasons Why Toilet Smells like Urine

After significant analysis and trial and error, we identified eight primary reasons of these issues. Let’s dig a little deeper into these.

Reason # 1 Toilet Drain is Clogged

Toilet Drain

Even though your toilet flushes normally, there could be a little clog in the line. If this clog is not removed, it will begin to stink. To clear the clog, the drain needs to be snaked.

Use a wrench or screwdriver to snake the drain. To remove the slide nuts on both sides of the P-trap, do the following. Once they’re free, use some force to remove the P-trap. After you’ve opened the drain, use an auger to loosen up and release some of the clogs.

Don’t have any augers to snake the drain? Here are a few of our suggestions.

Product 1
Product 2

The auger should be small enough to clean the p-trap and move around a little. Nowadays, thanks to the internet it’s easy to get any size you want.

Reason # 2 Clogged Plumbing Vent Pipe

Toilet Vent Pipe

Waste from the toilet is sent to the sewer after flushing. However, it is not uncommon for a disagreeable sewage odor to linger. However, if the odor remains or becomes stronger than normal, the vent pipe is most likely clogged.

A tube flowing through the ceiling is connected to your drainage system. The pipe eliminates or ventilates sewer odors. This enables air into the system, which permits sewage fluid to drain properly.

Sewage gasses will be unable to escape if the vent becomes clogged. This would have the ability to stink up your bathroom.

Examine the vent to determine if anything is obstructing it. If this seems to be a block, we recommend that you contact a professional to manually remove it.

Reason # 3 Wax Sealing Ring on the Toilet is Damaged

Toilet Wax Ring

The wax sealant ring beneath the toilet is prone towards becoming loosened over time. When this happens, sewer gas may leak through the seams and stink up your toilet.

If your toilet wiggles or shakes, it means your wax sealing ring is loose and has to be changed.

Reason # 4 Poor Ventilation

Ventilation

Given that we use the toilet on a regular basis, the odor of waste might remain in the air. Especially if there isn’t any ventilation to keep the air pure. This is likely if the exhaust fan is turned off or the toilet window is infrequently opened.

So make sure there’s enough ventilation for the odor to dissipate. Use the exhaust fans in the bathroom. If there’s none, at least keep the windows open.

Reason # 5 P Trap Seal Broken

P TRAP SEAL

One of the most common reasons for this unpleasant odor is the issue with the p-trap. The p-trap is a tube in the form of a U. It contains a little quantity of water that serves as a preventive barrier against sewage gases.

Sometimes, the p-trap allows these gases to escape via a leak, or a broken seal. If the p-trap seal gets broken, then call a plumber.

Reason # 6 Urine on the toilet seat

Urine on the toilet seat

Urine is very often discovered under the tank cover and on the toilet seat. When urinating, some people may not always find their mark. This results in some pee in the crevices of the toilet seat cover.

Even after cleaning the bathroom multiple times, this pee will pile up and generate the pee odor in the bathroom. This really is down to a lack of focus on areas other than the toilet.

So make sure to pay attention to the toilet seats if they have been peed on.

Reason # 7 Urine on the Floor

Urine on the Floor

Whenever anyone misses their target, pee can readily make its way to the restroom floor. This is particularly true if you have young sons. This kind of urinary odor is rather simple to deal with.
Small children also tend to target the bathroom walls. This makes it necessary to protect the walls against urine.

How to Remove Urine Smells From Toilet

Urine Smell can be a source of major problems when guests visit your home. It’s embarrassing and leads to bad hygiene. So it’s quite essential that you take the necessary steps to remove this smell.

If your toilet doesn’t have any technical issues like the P trap broken, don’t worry. The odor is caused by its buildup in the toilet. In such a scenario, you’ll have to do it on your own. However, just washing your hands thoroughly may not be sufficient to remove the stink.

Let’s see how this urine smell can be removed.

Process # 1 Vinegar and Salt

Vinegar and Salt

We’ll start off with the easiest and common solution known to us. These are Vinegar and Salt. You might already have these 2 lying around in your kitchen. Let’s see.

  1. To begin, dump three glasses of white vinegar into the toilet.
  1. Distribute it evenly throughout the bowl.
  1. Then add 2 cups of salt.
  1. Make sure it comes into contact with the vinegar and touches all of the stained areas.
  1. Allow it to sit inside the bowl for at least 1 2 hours.

However, if you want the finest results, we recommend leaving the combination to sit overnight.

Process # 2 Vinegar and Baking Soda

White Vinegar and Baking Soda

This process uses two easily available components which are Vinegar and Baking Soda. Despite being used mostly in cooking, its cleaning abilities can’t be underestimated.  

Necessary Components

  • White Vinegar
  • Baking Soda
  • Scrub Brush
  • Sprinkling Bottles

The components mentioned above can easily be bought online. We’ve a few suggestions for you if you’re not sure which one to buy.

Product 1 
Product 2

Steps

  1. Add 3 cups of white vinegar and 2 cups of baking soda into the toilet bowl.
  1. Half-fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. Splash the upper portion into the toilet bowl. Allow the liquid to settle overnight.
  1. Wash the toilet bowl with a toilet-bowl brush. The combination of baking soda and vinegar can sterilize and clean the bowl.
  1. Flush the toilet. Once a week, disinfect the toilet bowl with the solution to keep the pee stench at bay.

These 2 Processes mentioned can easily get rid of the urine smell from toilets.

FAQs

What produces the odor of urine in the toilet?

The majority of the stink comes from odor-producing bacteria that feed on urine. The worse the stench, the more bacteria can thrive. Bacteria that produce odors can permeate toilet surfaces if they are not adequately maintained. These surfaces, which include porous surfaces, grout, and etched porcelain, contribute to odor problems in restrooms.

What eliminates the odor of urine?

Baking soda’s low pH can help to mask the odor of urine. Pour baking soda over the damaged region and leave it to sit overnight or for at least five hours to neutralize urine.

Can a toilet smelling like urine be a sign of a more significant plumbing problem?

A urine smell from the toilet can indicate a more significant plumbing problem, such as a leak, and may require professional assistance to fix.

How can I get rid of the smell of urine from my toilet?

The smell of urine in the toilet can be eliminated by using a toilet bowl cleaner or white vinegar and baking soda.

Can using harsh cleaning products exacerbate the smell of urine in the toilet?

Harsh cleaning products can make the urine smell in the toilet worse, so it’s best to use mild cleaning solutions.

Can the amount of water used in the toilet bowl contribute to a urine odor?

A lack of water in the toilet bowl can cause urine to sit and create an odor, so ensuring proper water flow during flushing is important.

Does the frequency of toilet cleaning impact the occurrence of urine odor, and how often should I clean the toilet to prevent it?

Cleaning the toilet regularly, ideally at least once a week, can help prevent urine odor from developing.

Can using a deodorizer or air freshener help eliminate the urine odor in the toilet?

Deodorizers and air fresheners can mask the odor, but they won’t eliminate it entirely.

Are there any natural remedies or alternative cleaning methods that can be used to eliminate urine odor from the toilet?

Natural remedies like lemon juice, borax, and essential oils can help eliminate urine odor from the toilet bowl.

Can a urine odor in the toilet indicate an underlying medical condition, and when should I consult a medical professional?

A urine odor in the toilet could indicate an underlying medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection or kidney disease, and medical attention may be necessary.

Conclusion

Toilets end up smelling like urine despite our best efforts. Some of the reasons behind the problems are out of our hands. But if tackled quickly, it can be removed completely and with ease.
So, we hope we’ve been able to clear out your question “why does my toilet smell like urine?”


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sharone stela
By sharone stela

Sharone Stela has been a homeowner for 19+ years and has always done his own cleaning, repair, and improvement tasks.


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About Me

Mohammad Ali Ahsanul Karim

Ali Ahsanul Karim

Ali Ahsanul Karim, a seasoned professional in the realm of paint and toilet cleaning, brings a wealth of expertise to the field. With a passion for enhancing living spaces, he combines innovation and practical know-how to redefine standards in both aesthetics and hygiene. .

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DISCLAIMER

Our articles, products and services are for informational purposes. We recommend to use caution and seek the advice of qualified professionals.

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