I recently solved a small problem for a restaurant I was visiting. I entered their restroom only to be assaulted with the smell of the sewer. The reason for the smell was simple. The water in the trap for the floor drain had evaporated and was allowing the sewer gasses in. Just like the trap under your kitchen or bath sink the floor drain has a trap too. If the floor is not cleaned by flooding it regularly, then it should at least have a cup or two of water poured down it to maintain the trap integrity. Once a week should do it.

A common scam

I have seen many examples of this common scam. When having a new concrete block wall built it is particularly important to be watching when the wall is built. You will see the mason put metal bars (rebar) criss-crossing throughout the structure of the wall as it is built. When the wall is finished to the desired highth, concrete should be poured into the holes in the blocks to form a completely solid structure. This is often not the case. When I say often, I mean, more often than not if you are not there to watch them. The devious mason will fill the holes with newspaper and pour the concrete just into the top of the holes to give the appearance of a filled and solid wall. If you are having a wall built and cannot be there, before you pay the mason, take a hammer and tap lightly on the side of the wall. If the wall sounds hollow, it is. Then take the hammer and tell the mason he won't be getting paid. When he threatens you, use the hammer to smash the teeth out of his lying mouth.