Shower Drain Smells Like Ammonia [7+ Easy Solutions] 

The shower drain smells like ammonia due to the clogged shower drain or faulty P-Traps. The other possibilities of the smelly shower drain can be the buildup of biofilm, clogged vents, or a broken toilet seal. 

There can be some more serious problems like leaky pipes or sewer line problems when all the possible solutions fail to work out. 

Whenever you are dealing with a smelly shower drain issue, first, you should try the simplest solution like cleaning the bathroom or unclogging the shower drain. 

If the problem persists, it’s obviously a call for a comprehensive guide. Read this extensive guide till the end to find all effective solutions to get rid of the ammonia smell from the shower drain. 

Is Ammonia Smell In The Shower Drain Hazardous To Health

Commonly, everybody wants their bathroom as a peaceful escape. But the sudden smell of ammonia in the shower drain, of course, is an irritating thing to bear. Also, there will appear a question, is it hazardous besides being annoying?

Of course! Though the ammonia odor is not ammonia, still it can be a dangerous factor to you or anyone in your family. 

The smell can be sewer gases, which are harmful to a human. If you inhale it for a long period of time, it will lead to several health complexations like headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and so on. 

On top of that, this sewer gas can be flammable. If so, it might cause serious fire hazards in your house.

So, smelling your shower drain like ammonia is indicating a serious issue, and ignoring this problem will never be a wise decision. 

Shower Drain Smells Like Ammonia [7+ Easy Solutions]

Before moving to any other probable causes, make a thorough cleaning of your bathroom. Because there can be splashes of urine that have not been cleaned well, creating the smell of ammonia. 

If the smell stays even after having a proper cleaning, move through your eyes to other probable reasons with possible solutions regarding this issue for quick knowledge.

Note: You can also read our guide on why the bathroom smells like paint thinner and how to fix it.

Probable Causes	Possible Solutions
Drain Clogs	Unclog the clogged shower drains.
Dry/Damaged P-Traps	Run water in the shower for a few minutes. If damaged, replace it.
Buildup Biofilm	Clean the biofilms
Clogged Vents	Clear the vents
Broken Toilet seal	Replace the broken seal
Leaky Pipes	Call the Plumbers
Sewer Line Issue	Call the Plumbers

1. Clogged Drain

When the shower drains smell badly like ammonia, it’s a very common reason that the drain has clogged out. Clogs can cause an unpleasant smell as they trap grime and dust and do not allow water to drain properly. 

The blockages are mostly like the bulge of hair. When the hair goes down to the drain, it is caught by soap scum, mineral deposits, and sand, creating a solid clog. 

So, it’s always a smart idea to consider this probable reason when you notice an odor coming from your shower drain. 

Obviously, the way to resolve this is to unclog it. 

How To Clean A Clogged Shower Drain

Try these methods to clean your shower drain effectively. 

Step 1: Clean The Visible Clog

Sometimes clog is visible and easily accessible on your shower drain. Your first attempt should clean the clogs as much as you can. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and extract the debris like hair. 

Step 2: Pour Some Boiling Water

Boil some water in a pot & pour boiling water directly down the drain so that it can be properly washed away. If your shower has PVC pipes, use hot water from the tap, not boiling water.

Step 3: Add Vinegar & Baking Soda

First, pour a cup of baking soda into the clogged shower drain. After a few minutes, add a cup of vinegar to it. 

Now give the mixture a few hours to dissolve the clogs. This solution will neutralize the ammonia. Then rinse out the drain with boiling water again to clean the blockage. 

• For cleaning, you can also use bleach or chemical products. But be cautious of the fact that these harsh chemical products can harm the pipes and shower fittings if you use them too much or too frequently. 
• Plus, it’s hazardous to health and contaminates the environment. So, natural remedies are always the first choice. 

Step 4: Remove The Clog With A Drain Snake

You can also use a drain snake, also known as a plumber’s snake to unclog the shower drain. It can pull out or break out whatever is clogging the drain. 

That’s all done! Now see if you can still feel the same unpleasant odor. If yes, move to the next section. 

2. Dry/ Damaged P Trap

The other possible reason for the ammonia smell in the shower drain can be the faulty P-Trap. 

The main job of this pipe is to keep sewer gases out of the house. To do so, it always holds a small amount of water which will work as a barrier and rises up the gas from the shower system.

When your shower drains smell, there is a higher possibility that the water of the P trap has dried out, making a way for the gases to enter your shower drain. 

If you haven’t used the shower for quite a long time, dryness can happen. Otherwise, the P Trap can be dirty or damaged. 

Solutions:

If you look underneath your shower drain, you will see a P-shaped pipe, this is the drain trap just how it looks in the picture.

In case the P trap is only dried because of casual use, the solution is very simple. Just run water in the shower for a few minutes and the shower P Trap will refill with water and the smell will be far away from the drain. 

After you have run water frequently and still get a bad odor, then there may be germs in your P Trap. Using a long brush, clean the pipe.

If the smell persists, the pipe can be broken or damaged. Now it is the time to call a plumbing professional who will determine whether it needs to be refitted or replaced.

Then see whether the odor issue is resolved now. If not, then biofilms are the next thing to consider in this regard. Read about it in detail below. 

3. Buildup Of Biofilm

The other possible reason that can make your shower drain smell like ammonia is the buildup of biofilms in the shower drains that accumulate inside the pipes. 

Biofilms are mainly a slimy layer of bacteria and other microorganisms that grow from water, soap, and shampoo. It tends to stick to wet surfaces.

Due to the presence of these biofilm organisms in the drainage system, the smell of ammonia is produced, which smells pretty bad. 

So, to get rid of the issue, it’s obvious cleaning is a must. Follow the process just below. 

Solutions:

• You can kill the bacteria of the biofilms by using these easily accessible household products- bleach, water, vinegar, and baking soda. 
• In 1 part of the water, mix 1 part of bleach and then pour it down the drain. Now pour 1 cup of baking soda first and after a few minutes add 1 cup of vinegar in it. 
• When the mixture fizzes, cover the drain and wait about 30-60 minutes. Flush the drain with hot water. 
• Despite all the efforts, the shower drain is still smelly, you may need to clean the drain professionally.

4. Clogged Vents

The clogged venting system of your house is another possible reason for emitting bad odors from your shower drain. Almost in every house, there is a vent pipe on the roof extended about  4-5 inches in diameter.

Through this vent stack, the air enters the drain system and helps to keep the air pressure at normal.

Anyway, the vent stack might get clogged due to 

• Bacteria and mold build-up.
• Trapped ice, bird’s nest, or tree leaves.

Solutions:

Now, at this point, if you find the vents blocked with debris, it’s time for cleaning the debris from the vents. It ensures the plumbing system operates well without any odor. Here you go!

• If the clogging is due to the ice of the winter season, take the initial steps to melt down the ice. You can remove the other clogs of the vent by using a garden hose. A plumber’s auger can also be used to break down all the clogging. 
• If the vent pipe is made from PVC, you can cut the section of the vent in your attic. Using a hacksaw, cut only that portion that can fit the auger into the pipe. Now go to the vent downward, find the clog and clear it up. 
• You may need to run the auger up toward the roof when you can’t find the clogs in the section you have cut. After the cleaning, replace the part of the vent you removed. Using PVC cement, secure the replacement part.
• In case you don’t have an attic or feel uncomfortable cleaning the vents, you can call for the plumbers to get rid of the issue. Plus, they can also test the whole venting system which can cause any issues further in the future. 

5. Broken Toilet Seal

The worst can be that the ammonia smell is not related to the shower drain but to the toilet seal. Over time, the seal of your toilet can wear down and allow bad odors like ammonia to escape into the shower drain.

The only way to solve the matter is to replace the broken seal with a new one. You can also read how to fix will bad wax ring that causes the toilet not to flush and replace the broken seal.

How To Fix A Broken Toilet Seal

If you want to do it by yourself, just follow the below steps. Otherwise, you can call for the plumbers to help you out. So, let’s start.

Step 1: First turn off the water supply of the toilet. Remove the lid of the toilet tank and flush the toilet by holding down the handle. So that it can drain water from the tank and the bowl as much as possible. 

Using a plastic cup, scoop out all the left water and dry up every last drop of it. 

Step 2: Now disconnect the water supply line. Then pry the caps from the washers from the base. 

Hold the toilet under the bowl and place it on cardboard gently to break the old wax seal. 

Step 3: Using a putty knife, scrape the wax seal off the base and the flange of the floor. Take the new wax seal and place it on the top of the flange perfectly.

Pro-Tips: While choosing a new seal, choose the seal that has a surrounding core of soft urethane foam. This type of seal is better for a superior seal between the toilet and the flange.  

Step 4: Now lift the toilet and set it back on the top of the flange and put back everything in a reverse way. 

Reconnect the water supply of your toilet and turn it on. Flush the toilet several times.

6. Leaky Pipes

In your shower, if it has any leaky pipes, the possibility is high that those leaky pipes are allowing sewer gas to enter your house

Usually, the pipes are designed to trap sewer gases. It prevents the gases from entering the building. But when there is a leak in the pipes, it causes the gas pressure release and to enter the shower drain.

Solutions:

Diagnosing leaky pipes can be very hard. You need to inspect the whole plumbing system to find the exact faulty pipes. Besides the ammonia smell in the shower drain, the leaky pipes can be a sign of more damage to the plumbing system. 

Now you should call a professional plumber to identify the leaky pipes. They will help you to fix the shower drain smells problem ensuring a breathable environment in the shower.

7. Sewer Line Issue

Anyhow, if there is any problem with the sewer line of your house, you could get a smell through your shower. But, if the faulty sewer line is the case, the problem is likely related to the all-bathroom drains. The shower drain, the shower tub, the sink, and the toilet will all be smelly. 

Solutions:

If all the solutions mentioned above failed to work out for you, the sewer line can be the last possible reason. When that’s the case only professional plumbers can resolve it. They will find out the exact fault and make the ammonia issue far away from your bathroom. 

How To Prevent Your Bathroom From Smelling [Learn Essential Tips]

A smelly bathroom is always irritating. So, it’s always a smart idea to prevent the bathroom from smelling even before facing it. Here we will highlight some useful methods that will prove helpful.

• You can use deodorants in your bathroom. It can keep your bathroom fresh and out of bad odors. 
• Always ensure a good ventilation system in your bathroom. Keep the windows of your bathroom open. Also, leave the exhaust fan running for a few minutes after showering. 
• Use shower drain covers to prevent clogging in the shower drains. They are inexpensive but always very helpful.
• Flush the toilet immediately after using it. On a timely basis clean the vents of your house. 

FAQs:

Final Thoughts

That’s it! Hope our article has proved enough informative and helpful for you to resolve the shower drain smells like ammonia issue. 

We have tried our best to provide all the information related to it. If you still have any queries, let us know through your comments. You’ll try to help you entirely and absolutely.