Going to the bathroom means there are going to be lingering odors to deal with.
These odors are a part and parcel of life but what if they never go away? This is a real concern for millions of people and it’s not always an impossible task to fix.
One question that often pops up is, why does my toilet smell like urine?
A toilet can smell like urine because there’s a leaking seal. This seal is responsible for separating the toilet drain from the toilet itself. Once it starts leaking, this can cause liquid to flow out from the bottom of the toilet. To fix this, it’s recommended to replace the seal.
For most people, this should be done with the help of a plumber. They will have the necessary tools and tricks to make sure the job is done properly.
This article will shed light on how to get rid of urine smell from toilet by fixing the leaking seal.
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Steps On How To Fix Leaking Seal In Toilet
1. Clean The Toilet First
Before doing anything else, you have to focus on cleaning the toilet.
To get rid of the urine smell in the toilet, sometimes it comes down to cleaning the bowl. If it has not been cleaned for years, the residue will be the main concern.
Don’t automatically assume it is a leaking seal that is the issue. It might not be if it is an older toilet that has not been well-maintained!
This is why you want to get started by cleaning the toilet vigorously. This means using a proper cleaning agent to clean the toilet.
In some cases, dried urine can be a real issue especially when the toilet bowl hasn’t been cleaned for years.
This is key as you learn how to get rid of toilet odor at home.
2. Turn Off The Water Supply
Now it is time to move on to the next step if the cleaning didn’t work.
In most cases, the toilet cleaning will not work as it might eliminate some of the odors but not all. In general, when the urine smell begins to spread in the bathroom, it is mostly going to have to do with the seal.
When the seal is leaking, you have to start by cutting the water supply to the bathroom.
This will ensure the toilet doesn’t start spraying everywhere as soon as you remove the toilet bowl. As you learn how to remove the toilet smell from a toilet, it is this step that has to be focused on right away.
Cut the water supply and make sure the toilet has been drained.
3. Remove The Toilet Bowl
When a toilet smells of urine despite cleaning then it’s best to remove the toilet bowl. You have to see what’s going on underneath.
It is the seal that is going to be the main point of concern.
This round seal is going to be set on top of the drain hole. You have to take a look at whether or not it’s intact and the only way to get to it is by removing the toilet bowl.
4. Replace The Seal
You will take a look at the toilet seal and see if it is intact.
If not, you will know this is the main issue. If your toilet smells like pee then the seal is not doing its job properly.
You will want to take off the previous seal and put in a new one.
This process itself is not going to take a long time and it is important to make sure it is firmly in place before putting the toilet bowl back.
5. Re-Install The Toilet Bowl
When a toilet smells like urine, you have to test the seal.
However, you also have to put everything back and make sure it is fully sealed. Otherwise, you could have a major leak as soon as the water supply is turned on.
Be patient during this step and make sure the installation is managed well.
After you are sure the toilet bowl is firmly in place, it is time to test the flush. By now, the smell should be gone.
Final Thoughts
Why does my toilet smell like urine?
A toilet can smell like urine if it has not been cleaned for years or the seal is leaking. This seal is located between the drain and the toilet. If it is damaged, the seal will begin to leak liquid near the base of the toilet. To fix this, it’s best to replace the seal.
Read More On Bathrooms:
- Do Some Toilet Bowls Break On Their Own?
- Is Clear Or White Silicone Caulk Better For Toilet Base?
- How Is A Toilet Drain Supposed To Be Look Like?
- How To Keep A Toilet Seat Up?
- How To Unclog A Toilet At Home
- How To Use WD-40 For Cleansing A Toilet
- Do All Toilet Seats Work On Older Toilets?
- Why Is Toilet Always Swirling?