2 Apartment questions...

spazybride04 Posted: Jun 16, 2004 12:46 PM

2 Apartment questions...

We have a basement apartment and there are two things that I need help with..

1. There's a strange smell that only appears if it's humid (like today) and if the water is run a lot. I'm assuming that its the pump taking the water up to get rid of it... question is, is there a way to get rid of that smell? Baking soda, etc?

2. The shower doesn't drain well. When I'm all done getting washed, I'm usually standing in 3 inches of water!!! Is this because of the pump also or could it be that it's clogged and how would I fix it? Is Drano safe for the pump?

Any ideas / suggestions are welcome... I'm starting to give up hope..

Thanks a bunch!
Deb

bridget&jimmy Posted: Jun 16, 2004 01:22 PM

Re: 2 Apartment questions...

You probably need to get a dehumidifier. Also for the water it could be that hair is clogged in the drain and you could try drano or you should unscrew the water lever (the lever that closes the drain) and then see if there is a clog. My dad is a plumber, so I know with all girls in the house he is always unplugging the drain from hair.

ChristineC68 Posted: Jun 16, 2004 01:41 PM

Re: 2 Apartment questions...

A dehumidifier would help with the odor - it's probably from the humidity.

Drano won't help the pump - the landlord needs to call a plumber to clear the line. I used to live in a basement apt and this happened to me except the access pipe to the pump was in the kitchen and the whole apt flooded while I was in the shower.

NPbride Posted: Jun 16, 2004 02:25 PM

Re: 2 Apartment questions...

I had the same smell in my old apartment and I used a dehumidifier. After that the smell was gone. FI lived in an apt where the tub never drained quickly enough. After a shower he'd be standing in water too. He used drano and that helped a little but he just got used to it (the landlord would not have done a/t anyway, she was quite elderly).

jar823 Posted: Jun 16, 2004 02:34 PM

Re: 2 Apartment questions...

I would definately get a dehumidifier! It will help a lot!

As far as the drain in the bathroom. Have you tried a plunger? In my apartment, when the water gets clogged like that in the shower drain, I usually use the plunger on it. It definately helps.

spazybride04 Posted: Jun 16, 2004 03:04 PM

Re: 2 Apartment questions...

Thanks SO much to all of you...

I will definitely get a dehumidifier... I just hope it does the trick!

and the drain, well I'll try the plunger..
I tried to unscrew the cover but it won't come up... That was my first idea..
I think I'll mention something to the Lanlord and see if maybe her dad could do something.

Thanks again... You are all a REALLY big help!!

~Deb

DjPiLL Posted: Jun 16, 2004 04:17 PM

Re: 2 Apartment questions...

Be careful when using drano. If you have old pipes... you can rot away the pipes with the drano. Your landlord will sure bill you for it if that ever happens.

Just get a plumber to snake it.

kdelace Posted: Jun 16, 2004 05:55 PM

Re: 2 Apartment questions...

i just posted this a few weeks ago. I had the same problem and got a dehumidifier. What a difference it makes. I got one at home depot.. works well...

jannshari Posted: Jun 16, 2004 07:43 PM

Re: 2 Apartment questions...

Call your landlord and have him/her call a plumber in to take a look at this. It is not your responsibility to make sure that the pipes and/or sump are draining properly.