Sewer odors in restrooms can strike anywhere, anytime—and the consequences cost a lot of money.
The La Jolla Lifeguard Tower Crisis
Several years ago, San Diego opened a new lifeguard tower at La Jolla Children's Pool beach. After more than four years of planning and $5 million in construction costs, the facility should have been a success story.
Instead, within months, lifeguards began reporting an unbearable smell. The source? Sewer odors rising from a floor drain in the rarely-used basement storage area.
"It has been recently brought to my attention that a significant odor is present in the Children's Pool facility," lifeguard Sgt. Marcus Schreiber wrote to city engineers. "Guards are reporting this to be unbearable at times."
The Problem Gets Worse
Soon after, the situation escalated. Lifeguards spotted three large rats in the facility, and a nearby temporary trailer became infested with ants. The sewer odors likely attracted these pests, turning a ventilation issue into a full-blown health and safety concern.
How the City Responded
The pool managers tried multiple solutions:
1. Deep cleaning: They pressure-washed the basement floor to remove odors that had penetrated the concrete, then sealed it with acrylic floor finish.
2. Closing the problem drain: They removed the grating and installed a solid plate over the floor drain opening to block odor escape.
3. Investigating P-traps: They discovered that P-traps—the U-shaped pipes under drains designed to hold water and block sewer gases—had dried out in the rarely-used facility.
4. Adding water: They poured water down the drains to refill the P-traps, but this proved to be only a temporary fix. The water eventually evaporated, and the odors returned.
The Simple Solution They Missed
What the facility managers needed was EverPrime Drain Trap Liquid. Just 3 to 6 ounces poured down each drain would have solved the problem for months.
Unlike water, EverPrime doesn't evaporate. It creates a long-lasting seal in P-traps that blocks sewer odors while protecting indoor air quality. It's an inexpensive solution that keeps facilities clean, healthy, and pest-free.
Don't let sewer odors become your problem. Contact a Waterless Co., Inc. representative today to learn more about EverPrime.
