No trap in the shower drain causing odours in an ensuite

Maintenance & Common Property

The drainage hole in my shower emits odour, airflow and mosquitoes. Who is responsible for fixing this?

There is airflow coming up through a drainage hole in my shower, accompanied by a sewerage or gas smell. During mosquito season, mosquitoes also come through this outlet. Both the strata company and the builder have told me that it is my responsibility to hire a plumber to fix the issue. I’ve had to tape over the drain and stopped using the ensuite. Who is responsible for investigating and resolving this problem?

A plumber should be able to determine if there is no trap installed between the shower drain and the stack.

For this to occur, it is likely there is no trap installed between the shower drain and the stack. A plumber should be able to utilise a camera to determine this. If no trap exists, the likely solution would be to cut into the line and install a trap.

To determine who is responsible for the works, the information will be available on your strata plan, in your by-laws, and most likely, the building’s plumbing diagrams.

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Published: 22 Oct 2025

Last Updated: 24 Jul 2026

This post appears in The WA Strata Magazine November 2025

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Answer by

Luke Downie

WA Strata Consultant

Most people find Strata to be a dry subject. Talk to Luke about Strata Legislation and you will soon see how enthused and excited he becomes about the topic. With over 20 years in the industry providing Strata Management and consultancy services. Luke owned and operated his own Strata Management business here in Perth for over 10 Years as well as being the state lecturer in Strata Management at Central Tafe at that time.

Educating people on Strata Title has been a passion of Luke’s delivering seminars on a regular basis for the last three years and now regular webinars since COVID-19.

In his spare time Luke’s passions are family, fishing, fine dining and football (West Coast Eagles). He also likes to volunteer assisting Perth’s homeless community.

Luke is a regular contributor to LookUpStrata.