You’re sure your imagination isn’t playing tricks on you. A foul odour like sewer gas is following you, and you know it’s not just your nose or bathroom sink smell. But you can’t figure out where the foul odour is coming from. Is the bad odour from your bathroom? Is your kitchen sink getting a little funky? Or is it your garbage - the ghost smell still lingers even after throwing them out?
It could be a blocked drain.
Grab a cuppa - better hold that thought while we explore why your drains can smell. Here are a few tips on preventing and cleaning a smelly drain. How to clean smelly drains and drain pipes isn’t for the faint of heart.
What causes smelly drains?
1. Blockage
A cause of smelly drains can be a pipe blockage or problems with the P trap or vent. Over time, your drain will get its fair share of food, grease, hair, and even toothpaste flushed down. Food like fish, egg and tuna are the prime culprits that make your kitchen drain smelly. Even your soap scum and other materials building up can cause smelly bathroom drains and sinks.
You should also check for tree root invasion. Tree roots can grow and penetrate your plumbing system.
Blocked drains could be the result of faulty plumbing. Mistakes can happen while installing plumbing fixtures. At times, the pipes collapse or cracks appear, which damage your property. So, if your newly installed drains are blocked, it might be a case of improper plumbing.
You can try a few DIY drain unblocking ideas, such as using an unwired coat hanger or drain snake to move anything out of the way or pouring hot tap water.
Whether it’s the kitchen or bathroom drain, it is essential to determine the cause of your smelly drain. Hence, blocked drains aren’t something that you must ignore. When you notice the tell-tale signs of a blocked drain, such as nasty smells, loud gurgling noise, or water draining slowly in your kitchen or bathroom sink, it’s time to ensure your drain is appropriately cleared. Contact your trusty local plumber to investigate and unclog your drains. A plumber will have drain cleaners to help leave your drain smelling fresh.
2. Bacteria
With the blockage comes the bacteria. Some food items can get stuck in the pipes, and debris and food residue can build up over time. They will eventually rot. Rotten food starts to become pungent due to the growth of spoilage microbes such as bacteria, yeasts, and mould. The foul smell can be caused by chemicals released from the food as the microbes decompose or chemicals produced by the microbes.
When decomposing food, moulds give off musty, earthy aromas like an old basement. Some yeasts produce sulphur compounds that resemble human flatulence.
A simple solution involves mixing baking soda and vinegar in a cup and pouring it slowly down the drain. This might even give your septic system a helping hand in breaking down build-up naturally. Boiling water is another great option, as it can kill bacteria and free any stuck debris.
3. Mould
If there’s a tiny leak in the pipework under your sink, mould can easily take hold.
Mould and mildew can thrive, leading to a rather unpleasant smell. It’s wise to check your fittings regularly for any signs of leaks.
If you do spot water leaking from your taps or pipes, it’s best to get in touch with a licensed plumber. They can sort out the leak for you.
Getting your plumber to safely inspect all your fittings ensures everything’s working as it should.
4. Sewer Smell
If you catch a whiff of what smells like sewer gas from your drain, it could be coming from your sewer line.
Steer clear of tampering with sewer drains as these gases can be quite harmful. A licensed plumber is best suited to check for sewer line issues, like cracks or leaks, and examine any P trap or vent concerns.
Your drain expert will have the right tools to thoroughly inspect your septic system and clean out those smelly drains, identifying and fixing any problems.
5. Plumbing Issues
Sometimes, it’s the plumbing that’s to blame for the smell. If the set-up is a bit dodgy, it can mess with vents, traps, and other key parts. Plus, those drain tubes could be rotting.
Things naturally wear out as time goes on. To keep everything in top shape, have your licensed and experienced plumber take a look.
Your plumber can sort out any problematic parts that aren’t helping your drain’s cause.
How to Fix Your Smelly Drain
To keep your drains smelling fresh, make it a habit to clean the drain opening regularly with soap, water, and disinfectant. Also, be sure to toss any food scraps from the sink.
To prevent stinky drain smells, the best cure is avoiding certain behaviours that typically cause a blocked drain and smelly drains, like pouring grease into the sink and disposing of your waste incorrectly. Personal hygiene products can affect drainage. Think about your dental floss, baby wipes, diapers, tampons, tissues and cotton balls. And by using drain screens or pouring hot water into the sink, you can help prevent a smelly drain.
Many DIY methods exist for solving blocked drains; some are more effective than others. Aside from hot water (cold water solidifies the gunk, so pour boiling water mixture afterwards), you can also try simple solutions. Close your drain plug and pour your organic drain cleaner, such as pouring half a cup of hot vinegar and baking soda down the kitchen sink drain. Your baking soda mixture can do the trick for simple blockages and even leave your drains smelling fresh. Also, you can utilise a caustic drain cleaner down your garbage disposal and eliminate the drain smell.
But sometimes, smelly drains can signify a more significant issue with your plumbing systems, such as pipework, a sewer gas trap problem, or larger drains outside.
But if you’ve retrieved the balls of hair or even got out the trusty plunger to fix the blockage and still have a clogged drain problem, or you want to be sure it won’t reappear, it’s time to call in professional blocked drain plumbers. You must contact your local drain specialist for a proper diagnosis and permanent solution to clear the remaining debris from your smelly drain problem. With their expertise, they will get rid of your smelly drain once and for all. The best plumbers for blocked drain clearing services will give you peace of mind with specialised equipment such as CCTV blocked drain cameras and a high-pressure water jetter to fix a blocked drain quickly and keep it clear!
