Bad smell from shower drain

Geeber · 07-24-2015, 10:59 AM

We did our first trip with 2015 Forester 2401 R. All is good except there is a smell from the shower drain. When I look down the drain I dont see water like a normal p-trap. Any experience or tips on this? Does anyone know if there is a different type of trap on the shower drain?

DocsDad · 07-24-2015, 01:33 PM

Many black tank deodorizer/sanitizers also have instructions for use on the gray tank. After reading here, I have started to add these to my gray tank as well (via the kitchen sink). Although I had not had an issue, I thought it would be a good preventative measure.

We are also very careful with what goes down the kitchen drain. Milk, food particles etc can really become nasty.

Not sure of the mechanic of the trap at the shower.

Pod2Vibe · 07-24-2015, 04:44 PM

Google "Geo Method"

Makes for fresh smelling grey tanks, as well.

dj3spots · 07-24-2015, 05:06 PM

We always run a little water in all the sinks and the shower after we dump the tanks. It keeps the orders from coming back in the trailer form empty tanks.

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OldCoot · 07-24-2015, 05:11 PM

Keep in mind when you empty the holding tanks, the sudden opening of the valves can literally suck the traps dry in the sinks, lavatory and shower. Always pour or run some water in them after dumping.

**Flybob** · 07-24-2015, 05:46 PM

If not used for a while, the water in the P-Trap will evaporate and leave an open connection to the tank. This is also true of home. I run water in guest shower monthly at home as the water in the trap will evaporate. (Not a lot of overnight company)

hillsdaletc · 07-25-2015, 01:27 PM

Another thought . Many Motor home models by several companies drain the shower into the black (toilet) tank because it is directly below the shower. But not many fifth wheel models do this because of the basement area under the upstairs bath. If you have the small cup shaped trap under the shower, then it is likely you are pulling the water from the small cup when dumping. And black water tank odors are allowed free access to the living area.

**KyDan** · 07-25-2015, 01:59 PM

The OP doesn't say when they got the odor. After a drive?? Just bouncing
on the highway could slosh the water out of the trap.
Solution is to pour a quart of water down the offending drain.
Maybe even a table spoon of bleach in with the quart of water....

NeilM108 · 07-25-2015, 02:29 PM

You probably have one of those Hepvo waterless traps. The situation I had is one waterless trap for both the sink and the shower. That means ten feet of drainpipe that stinks (shower + sink) in front of the trap.
The waterless trap under my shower was damaged, so I replaced it (tight space!). I bought another 2: one to put right under the sink and one to isolate the sink drainpipe from the shower(there wasn't room to move the Y fitting to 'after' the existing Hepvo). If there had been more space, I would have put in good ol' fashioned p-traps instead. These Hepvo valves aren't as effective as real p-traps, but they do save space.

**wmtire** · 07-25-2015, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilM108

You probably have one of those Hepvo waterless traps. The situation I had is one waterless trap for both the sink and the shower. That means ten feet of drainpipe that stinks (shower + sink) in front of the trap.
The waterless trap under my shower was damaged, so I replaced it (tight space!). I bought another 2: one to put right under the sink and one to isolate the sink drainpipe from the shower(there wasn't room to move the Y fitting to 'after' the existing Hepvo). If there had been more space, I would have put in good ol' fashioned p-traps instead. These Hepvo valves aren't as effective as real p-traps, but they do save space.

Man, I love these forums and learning new stuff. Thanks Neil, for mentioning these Hepvo valves. I had to do a search on them, and found several youtube videos...which explains why the RV industry uses them....along with what you shouldn't do when you have them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QV6drbFbK0

**KyDan** · 07-25-2015, 02:57 PM

Something as simple as a rubber mat laid over the drain when not in use could solve the problem.

jtownstumpjumper · 07-25-2015, 03:18 PM

We treat our grays with a little of the same chemical for the black....add a little water just like the black....never had an issue with smells on any of them.

BooBoo23 · 07-25-2015, 04:07 PM

If your are hooked up to a sewer don't leave the dump valve open or else you can get sewer gas coming back in.

ChooChooMan74 · 07-25-2015, 08:01 PM

I always pour water down the shower because we don't use it. Helps prevent smells from coming up.

devilsquid · 07-25-2015, 09:51 PM

On our last trip we had a faint bad smell in the coach for the first time. I thought of the traps, especially the in the shower (it was in the bathroom where to smell was the strongest), and poured a little water in each. We still had the smell. I began thinking of all sorts of things that may have gone wrong; from broken pipes, cracked holding tank, etc... That's when my wife decided to pour a lot of water in the shower drain...no more smell. If you have tried a little water in each drain and still have a foul odor, try a lot of water and see if that solves the problem

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