I Have Problems With a Toilet Burn Smell

Cleaning Chemicals

• If you have recently added cleaning chemicals to the toilet tank, the chemicals are probably responsible for the burning smell. Homeowners sometimes add chemicals to the tank to keep the water clearer, but this can have the unwanted effect of damaging the rubber components of the fill valve and flush valve inside the tank. The smell might come from these deteriorating parts. In the future, avoid adding these cleaning chemicals to the tank. Flush the toilet a couple times or more to flush out the chemical-filled water. Or, turn the toilet's shut-off valve completely to the right, flush the toilet and vacuum out all the water from the tank using a wet/dry vacuum.

Clog Removal Chemicals

• Other times, chemicals that contain acid are sometimes used to get rid of stubborn toilet drain clogs, and these chemicals could leave a burning smell, also. The added danger in using these chemicals is that they can easily splash onto your skin or face, your clothing or onto the floor, especially if you plunge the toilet drain after using them. A more effective method of getting rid of toilet blockages is to use a closet auger, commonly called a snake, to reach and grind away at the clog.

Flushed Items

• People sometimes flush down items that the toilet is not designed to receive. If you or any other member of the household, or a visitor, have poured or thrown anything into the toilet, using it as a trash can, it might be the reason for the burning smell afterward. This is less likely than the chemicals being the reason, but it is still possible. Avoid this problem by keeping a small trash can near the toilet, and using the toilet only for human waste.

Well Water

• Consider the smell coming from the toilet, and determine if it smells more like sulfur. This is more likely to occur if your toilet is supplied with water from a well. Have the well water tested to be sure. If your toilet water is supplied by a city's system, it is less likely that the water supplying the toilet will have this smell, but you can still call your local public works department and make sure that nothing has recently been added to the water that supplies your toilet.