How to maintain extra bathroom that not use at all

[MetalSlug]

I have an extra bathroom on the house I just bought. I don’t use at all

Today I walk in. Water in toilet is empty and some water build up.

Does the bathroom sink. Bath tub and toilet go bad if I don’t use at all . Or should I use it once a week to keep thing going.

Something I can put in the toilet to prevent water build up. Also it’s normal for toilet water dries up if not in use for a week or 2 ?

 

[oldcodger]

I would flush the toilet every week. Run some water in the bath/shower and sink. This is to keep the drain traps filled. If the traps dry up then sewer gas/odor can come in.

 

[Kestas]

In laymen's terms, mechanical things forget how to work if they aren't exercised. Plumbing should be exercised. Every so often, you should flush the toilet and run the taps. If you don't the taps can crust over an be hard to turn... same with the toilet internals. Also, the P-traps can dry out, which leads to a funky smell coming from there.

 

[opus1]

Flush/run water to make sure the traps are full. Dry toilet = sewer gas coming into the house.

As for normal, depend on how dry the air is in the house. Water will evaporate and the when the seat/lid are down, it's not an airtight seal. A week or two seem kind of quick, but it's possible I suppose. Also, any strong winds will create vacuum on the vent and possibly pull some water down into the drain. The toilet in my master bathroom is near where the vent goes through the roof and when it's windy enough, I can see the water moving around in the bowl.

 

[opus1]

In laymen's terms, mechanical things forget how to work if they aren't exercised. Plumbing should be exercised. Every so often, you should flush the toilet and run the taps. If you don't the taps can crust over an be hard to turn... same with the toilet internals. Also, the P-traps can dry out, which leads to a funky smell coming from there.

I'm sorry but I had to do this...I guess Seinfeld wasn't completely joking when he wrote this.

 

[alarmguy]

I would flush the toilet every week. Run some water in the bath/shower and sink. This is to keep the drain traps filled. If the traps dry up then sewer gas/odor can come in.

Agree, even twice a week.

 

[rijndael]

For floor drains, unused shower drains, and other unused p-traps, you can pour mineral/vegatable oil in there and it won't evaporate.

 

[Lubener]

I have an extra bathroom on the house I just bought. I don’t use at all

Today I walk in. Water in toilet is empty and some water build up.

Does the bathroom sink. Bath tub and toilet go bad if I don’t use at all . Or should I use it once a week to keep thing going.

Something I can put in the toilet to prevent water build up. Also it’s normal for toilet water dries up if not in use for a week or 2 ?

Take a dump in there once in a while then wash your hands...

 

[MetalSlug]

We had really strong wind lately in Texas

 

[RhondaHonda]

My MIL covers the toilet bowls with Saran Wrap when they close up the house for months at a time.

I have bathrooms that I don’t use for months but it’s not super dry here so the toilets don’t dry up completely.

 

[RhondaHonda]

We had really strong wind lately in Texas

That can also do it. Strong pressure changes can mess with the levels in the traps.

When we first moved in, the sewer company was vacuuming the main line a few hundred yards away. It sucked the water out of the toilets at my house.

 

[BrendanC]

same with our upstairs bathroom. i make sure to flush the toilet once a week and run the sinks/shower on mix until hot water gets there.

 

[dnewton3]

For floor drains, unused shower drains, and other unused p-traps, you can pour mineral/vegatable oil in there and it won't evaporate.

View attachment 269577

Interesting concept.
I wonder ... will the veggie oil develop bacteria over time, and then subsequently draw insects like drain flies to it? That would not end well ...

 

[rijndael]

Dunno, I use mineal oil.

 

[MetalSlug]

Take a dump in there once in a while then wash your hands...

 

[JohnnyG]

Interesting concept.
I wonder ... will the veggie oil develop bacteria over time, and then subsequently draw insects like drain flies to it? That would not end well ...

Yes, it will. I'd say the mineral oil, the clear kind, would be best. I think it's a great idea, but it won't last forever.

 

[Slick3914]

I would take a dump there once in a while

 

[Rand]

A Man can not have too many thrones.. Use it once or twice a week.. is best option IMO.

 

[MetalSlug]

you guy are right, I smell gas when I open the bathroom sink. its stink.

 

[spasm3]

For floor drains, unused shower drains, and other unused p-traps, you can pour mineral/vegatable oil in there and it won't evaporate.

View attachment 269577

Fine on a municipal sewer system. If you have a septic system, I try to keep as much fat and oil out of it as possible.