Draught coming from behind toilet

I live in a top floor flat and have been here for about 18 months. I quite often notice a musky, unpleasant smell in my bathroom, I’ve always thought it’s a bit strange but not given it much more thought beyond that. The other day I was walking downstairs in the communal hallway and passed my neighbour who lives in the flat below. She closed her door as I passed and I got a waft of the flat and I immediately recognised that it was the same foul smell I often notice in my bathroom!! I thought I’d investigate in my bathroom and after some close inspection, I noticed a fairly strong draught coming from behind the toilet, which I’m almost 100% sure is coming directly from the flat below, and it’s a seriously unpleasant musk. One that stays in the nostrils for some time. I’ve attached some photos of the gap behind the toilet. I’ve also got a video which shows some dusty cobwebs flapping in the draught, but it doesn’t look like I can post videos. Anyway, with regard to a solution, the obvious option is to disconnect the toilet, pull it away from the wall and then assess and do a proper job. But the toilet is all caulked to the floor tiles etc so I’d like to avoid this if possible. I was thinking of just filling the gap with expanding foam but wasn’t sure if this would do the job. Is it too large of a gap to fill with foam?? Is it likely to stop the draught or will it still find a way through?? submitted by /u/SuccessfulSundae22 [link] [comments]

May 27, 2025 - 23:10

I live in a top floor flat and have been here for about 18 months. I quite often notice a musky, unpleasant smell in my bathroom, I’ve always thought it’s a bit strange but not given it much more thought beyond that.

The other day I was walking downstairs in the communal hallway and passed my neighbour who lives in the flat below. She closed her door as I passed and I got a waft of the flat and I immediately recognised that it was the same foul smell I often notice in my bathroom!!

I thought I’d investigate in my bathroom and after some close inspection, I noticed a fairly strong draught coming from behind the toilet, which I’m almost 100% sure is coming directly from the flat below, and it’s a seriously unpleasant musk. One that stays in the nostrils for some time.

I’ve attached some photos of the gap behind the toilet. I’ve also got a video which shows some dusty cobwebs flapping in the draught, but it doesn’t look like I can post videos.

Anyway, with regard to a solution, the obvious option is to disconnect the toilet, pull it away from the wall and then assess and do a proper job. But the toilet is all caulked to the floor tiles etc so I’d like to avoid this if possible.

I was thinking of just filling the gap with expanding foam but wasn’t sure if this would do the job. Is it too large of a gap to fill with foam?? Is it likely to stop the draught or will it still find a way through??

submitted by /u/SuccessfulSundae22
[link] [comments]