How to Resolve Toilet Odors Caused by a Dry Water Trap

If the sealing effect of the toilet does not meet the requirements, it is likely that there will be a problem of odor returning. If the water seal of the toilet is not holding water and odor is present, what should be done?

How to Fix a Toilet with a Dry Trap: Solutions for Odor Issues：

1、For the situation where the toilet water seal is not holding water and there is a returning odor, we need to consider two scenarios. The first scenario is when a newly purchased toilet is found to have a non-functioning water seal. In this case, the most likely cause is a quality issue with the toilet itself, as it has a complex internal S-curve structure that requires drilling. If the drilling is not done properly, it may result in cracks, causing leaks, and consequently, not holding water. In this situation, it is necessary to replace the toilet, and care should be taken to choose a toilet of good quality.

2、The second scenario is when, after using the toilet for some time, it is discovered that it is not holding water and has a returning odor. Generally, this is caused by the failure of the sealing ring, which may have deformed. In this case, we can remove all the sealing adhesive from the bottom, locate the sealing ring on the drainage pipe, and replace it with a new one. Then, clean the bottom and apply silicone sealant to ensure tight sealing, which will help avoid the issues of not holding water and unpleasant odors.

Why is there an odor in the bathroom：

1、The presence of odor in the bathroom could be due to a blockage in the drainage pipes. We need to check the drainage pipes, including those of the toilet and the sink, to see if they can drain properly. If not, the pipes need to be unclogged.

2、Another possible source of the odor could be the floor drain. It may need to be cleaned. If the chosen floor drain has failed in terms of sealing, it can also lead to odors returning, so we may need to reinstall the floor drain.

3、Additionally, the culprit could be the flange ring of the toilet and the sealing at the pipe entrance not being tight enough, or if the sealing adhesive at the bottom is not applied properly, or if the floor tiles have not been grouted correctly, this can also result in odors leaking out.

In summary：the above discusses the issue of the toilet water seal not holding water and having a returning odor, which could be attributed to the reasons mentioned. We can choose corresponding solutions based on the different scenarios; if the sealing is not effective, later blockages and odors will accompany it.