If you’ve just cleaned your home, but still notice some strong, pungent odours permeating through certain rooms, specifically your bathroom and kitchen, you may be having drain problems.
What causes these smells to occur, and is there anything you can do to get rid of them? Here’s what you need to know:
Causes of Foul Drain Odours
Below are some of the more common reasons your drains may be emitting terrible smells:
- Bacteria and Gunk
Whether you’re washing your dishes after a meal or taking a shower after a long day, all the water you’re using will pass through the pipes. Still, it’s important to remember that it’s not the only thing that goes through. That smelly sink drain may be the result of food, gunk, grease, hair, and other particles stuck in them. The garbage disposal in your kitchen may have food scraps stuck to them. Once these stick in the pipes, they can build up and attract bacteria, which releases an unpleasant scent.
- Flaws in Plumbing
Unfortunately, it’s also possible that there were mistakes made during the plumbing installation. The plumbers may have forgotten to install drain traps and sewage vents. When these crucial parts are missing, along with leaks and rotting drain tubes, you may notice the presence of a sewer smell in your bathroom. Alternatively, the materials used during installation may have been faulty or substandard.
- Blocked or Clogged Pipes
Since other particles can find their way through your drains, these may also affect your pipes. You may not notice that your drains have clogged up. The next time you use your sink, turn on the faucet and let the water run. While it’s running, see if it stops draining, and it starts to pool in the sink. If you begin to notice that your bathroom or kitchen sink smells, then it’s likely due to blocked or clogged pipes.
- Gases Coming From the Sewer
The next possible cause may be due to the gases from the sewer. These may arise from the drains if there are empty or dry P-traps in your home. It usually occurs in drains and sinks that you don’t frequently use, so keep in mind those that you only use often.
- Mould and Mildew
Check the current condition of your pipes and drains. Mould and mildew are known to grow in places with lots of moisture. Should you find any leaks, it can lead to mould and mildew buildup. Once these start to accumulate near your pipes, they can begin to emit foul scents.
How to Eliminate Sewer Odours
Now that you know the possible answer to “Why does the bathroom smell funky?” or “Why does my dishwasher smell bad?”, here’s how you can get rid of those sewer odours:
- Boiling Water
Sometimes, when it comes to solutions, less can be more. Your sink may require some boiling water as a sewer odour neutralizer. All you have to do is grab a kettle, pour in a small pot’s worth of water, and set it to boil. Once it boils, pour it down your sink. Doing so helps to flush out bacteria and any remaining food particles that may be sticking to your drainage pipes.
Also, make sure to use boiling temperature since it’s the heat that helps remove the bacteria. Using cold or room temperature water will be ineffective. You can do this for your sinks weekly.
- Baking Soda
Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is a common ingredient you can usually see in kitchens. Though they are for baking and cooking, it’s also known to be versatile and offers many uses. Fortunately, you can also use it as a drain odour eliminator.
To use baking soda, get a cup of it and pour the contents into the sink. Use boiling water to flush it out. As it flushes down the drain, it will also remove the unpleasant smells.
- Citrus Fruit Rinds and Peels
The next time you’re eating or using citrus fruits, don’t discard the peels right away. The smell of oranges and other kinds of citrus can also help improve the smell of your bathroom or kitchen. Though you can use them for your compost pile or your future recipe, consider using them to eliminate foul scents.
After using lemons, limes, and oranges, toss the peels down the sink and turn on the faucet. Flip the garbage disposal switch and see it grind them away. If you don’t like using strong chemicals on your sink, you may prefer this to become your alternative solution.
- White Vinegar
Another staple ingredient you can find in the kitchen, white vinegar is not just limited to cooking purposes. Not only can it help flavour and marinade your food, but it can also get rid of odours.
Since white vinegar is mildly acidic, it’s an organic cleaning agent. All you have to prepare is a cup of distilled white vinegar and pour it down your sink. Its scent will remove the existing foul smells and overpower it.
- Create Combinations
You can also combine the following ingredients to double their effects:
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- Baking Soda and Lemon Juice – For a more citrusy scent for your pipes, try the baking soda and lemon juice. Baking soda can absorb the foul smells, while lemon juice releases a natural citrus scent and freshens your drain. Sprinkle some baking soda down the drain along with some lemon juice.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar – When you mix these 2 ingredients, it triggers a chemical reaction since vinegar is a mild acid and baking soda is an alkaline substance. Once you combine them, each will attempt to neutralize the other. It will result in fizzing, and this reaction is what often gets rid of the smell.
- Drain Snake
You can also use a drain snake should you want to unclog your drains physically. This useful plumbing tool helps break up any food particles that may be sticking in your pipes. Since they often cause a foul smell, eliminate them using this device and help reduce it.
- P-Trap Pipe Cleaning
Another way to physically remove stuck gunk from your drains is by cleaning the P-trap pipe. It’s a U-shaped pipe that traps and holds water. It’s supposed to contain enough water to keep any gases or odours from the sewers to get through the drain. Here is how to clean a P-trap pipe:
- Wear a pair of rubber gloves and get a wrench.
- Use the tool to take off the curved portion of the plumbing that’s under the affected sink.
- Once you’ve removed it, empty the gunk and food particles from the pipe and transfer them into a bucket.
- Take the pipe outside and give it a rinse using your garden hose.
- Set it back up before using the sink again.
Although your bathroom or kitchen appears to be tidy, its smell may change your perspective of it. At first, it can be surprising to discover foul odours coming from your drains. Know that there are several simple solutions you can turn to without having to use any harsh chemicals.
With the right professionals, it shouldn’t be hard to find a remedy for smelly outside drains. If you’re looking for excellent drain services, then look no further than Plumbing Authority Inc. For inquiries, please feel free to contact us and call (647) 992-7473 or email us at plumbingauthoritygta@gmail.com.