How to Get a Sewer Smell Out of a Toilet Bowl
- 1). Use a sharp-bladed utility knife to cut the caulk away from the base of the toilet bowl. Hold the knife so it cuts between the bottom of the toilet and above the floor.
- 2). Turn off the water supply valve at the back of the toilet. Remove the tank lid. Flush the toilet tank so that as much of the water inside drains out as possible. Use a sponge and towels to wipe up the rest of the water inside.
- 3). Unscrew the bolts at the bottom of the tank holding it in place. Unscrew the coupling on the underside of the tank connecting the tank to the water supply line. Lift the tank off the back of the bowl and set aside.
- 4). Remove the plastic covers on either side of the base of the toilet that cover the tank bolts. Unscrew the nuts at the end of the bolts with an adjustable wrench and remove them.
- 5). Move the bowl from side to side, until it comes unstuck from the floor. Lift the bowl up and off the flange. Have an assistant help you if this is a heavy bowl.
- 6). Scrape away any wax or caulk from around the flange and the floor with a putty knife. Remove the old flange bolts and discard. Apply rubbing alcohol to a rag and use this to wipe away any wax residue clinging to the flange or the floor. Insert two flange bolts into the slots on either side of the closet flange.
- 7). Press a new wax ring into place. Cut away any caulk clinging to the base of the toilet bowl with a utility knife. Clean any wax clinging to the underside of the bowl with a putty knife. Lift the bowl up and align it so that the outlet lines up with the closet flange and wax ring.
- 8). Press the bowl down until it is seated firmly on the flange and the floor. Insert the plastic and metal washers over the end of the tank bolts. Tighten with nuts on either side of the tank. Do not over tighten the nuts, as this could cause the bowl to crack.
- 9). Replace the tank on the back of the toilet. Insert the tank bolts into the tank. Secure with the tank bolt nuts. Apply pipe thread compound to the inlet on the bottom of the tank. Reconnect the supply hose to the tank inlet.
- 10
Insert the silicone caulk into the caulk gun. Trim off the end with a utility knife at a 45-degree angle. Apply caulk around the base of the toilet. Allow the caulk time to cure. - 11
Turn on the water supply by rotating the handle to the left. Allow the toilet tank time to fill. Flush the toilet and check for leaks. Tighten any bolts, if needed.