Fix that awful drain smell with these easy tips!

Most people take for granted that their sinks, bathtubs and showers do not have an awful drain smell. However, as Seinfeld told us, it’s all pipes — and those pipes go to the same place. That means that on occasion, your sink can start to smell, well, like sewage.

It can be an off putting occurrence but fortunately it is also one that is easy to fix.

The smell test

Just to make sure where that awful drain smell is coming from, plug all the drains whatever room smells and uncover them one by one. Once you notice the odor, you have found the culprit and can begin steps to restoring order.

Really, what IS that smell?

Depending on what kind of drain the smell is emanating from, the smell can be caused by numerous different things. For example:

• A bathroom sink drain that smells gross will often be plugged with a combination of hair and toothpaste residue.
• A shower drain can have hair and soap giving off that awful drain smell.
• A kitchen sink usually has old food as the culprit.
• Sometimes it is actually the smell of sewage, which is a more serious problem than clog.

The first three all have relatively easy fixes. First, use some boiling water to help clear any of the offending gunk from the pipes. Then use some drain cleaner and a snake to remove the rest of the debris. The smell should be gone soon after all the hair and other detritus is washed away.

Dealing with sewage

When the awful drain smell has the distinct bite of sewage it means there is a slightly different problem at play. What you are smelling is sewer gas that has bypassed the drain trap, that U-shaped piece of pipe that every drain should have. This pipe holds water at all times that acts as a plug, which keeps gas from escaping into your home.

Try running water very slowly into the drain for a few minutes. Shut it off and try smelling the drain. The trap should be filled and the smell should fade. If the smell is still there, you might have a more serious problem. Do not hesitate to call the plumbing professionals atPlumb Tech for help resolving this or any other plumbing issues.