Dealing With Foul Smells From Drains: 7 Causes and Remedies

Foul odours coming from your drains and sinks can be especially unpleasant to deal with. Perhaps this only happens when you haven’t used your drains for some time, or maybe you notice a stench wafting around the drain area on a regular basis.

Whatever the case, it’s time to stop foul drain odours in their tracks. This is not something that you should simply have to live with. A professional, licensed plumber can assess the situation and pinpoint the problem in your home.

In this article, we will discuss some of the most common issues that can cause foul smells from drains and what you may be able to do about it. Read below to find out how to deal with that stinky, unpleasant drain in your home.

1. Drains not being used

If your P-traps have dried out from not being used frequently enough, then it may be causing the smell in your drains. As a note to yourself, remember to run all your faucets for even a little bit once a month to keep them in good use.

If the smell is already festering, try to get rid of it by running the water again and refilling the P-trap. The evaporated water in the trap from underuse can cause a foul smell. If the issue remains, call your local plumber to take a deeper look and assess where the smell might be coming from.

2. Clogs in pipes

Your drain-waste-vent system is a complex set of drain pipes that let out wastewater and let in fresh air simultaneously. If any of these drain pipes become clogged, a smelly odour may follow, as ventilation is not happening as it should.

Or, it could also be the case that you are missing or don’t have enough vent pipes. In this case, a professional can assess your drain-waste-vent system to ensure it works efficiently and see if more vent pipes need to be added. They can also repair and unclog pipes safely and properly.

3. Built-up bacteria

One of the main causes of smelly, foul odours coming from vents is built-up bacteria in your drains. This could be anything from hair, grease, food, or dirt. The accumulation of all this bacteria would eventually cause foul odours to emanate from your drains.

Get your drains cleaned and cleared so that there are no more blockages and water can flow freely. Choose a professional drain cleaner who can help you reduce costs and get your drains running smoothly. You are sure to notice the difference.

4. Grease down your drain

Like with any blockage, grease that has gone down your drain can be a cause for concern and a reason that your drain is releasing a stinky odour. If you notice a rotten egg stink or a mouldy smell, this could be the very reason.

If you notice this odour, try throwing a couple of teaspoons of baking soda with vinegar down the drain and follow that with a pot of boiled water. This should help break up some of the grease in your drains. Also, remember never to throw grease or fat down your drains, and to dispose of it by collecting and throwing it in the garbage instead.

5. Blocked sewer line

Another cause of odours coming from your drains could be a blocked sewer line or foul smells from the sewer and through your drain lines. Sewage water can certainly be the culprit behind bad odours in your drains and is something you will want to address right away.

Make sure your drain trap is working properly and have it assessed by a professional. If that is not the issue, perhaps the sewer line may need to be repaired. Regardless, these are problems that will be better taken up and dealt with by a professional plumber.

6. Water quality

Perhaps, the foul smell is coming from your tap water instead of your taps. Certain bacteria in your hot water tank can cause rotten egg smells. If this is the case for you, a plumber can address the issue and help to improve your overall water quality. After all, you want to make sure the water you are drinking is safe and free from harmful bacteria.

7. Food garbage disposal

Leftover food that has been in your garbage disposal can certainly cause unpleasant odours. Remember to clean your kitchen garbage disposal regularly and to frequently run some cold water over it (30 seconds at a time) to clear out any bad smells. You can even add ice cubes with lemon slices to replace previous bad smells with a fresh, citrusy scent.

Call the Plumbing Experts

Primarily, the main cause and culprit of drain odours are bacteria that have built up and accumulated in your drains over time. This is no reason to fret, as it happens to the best of us. While there are some things you can do yourself to lessen the damage and deter the smell, you’ll eventually want to have your drain system looked at by a licensed plumber.

They can assess the damage and provide professional insight and repairs on the spot. Remember that it’s best not to let foul odours linger in your drains for long. Address the problem immediately, and chances are it could be an easy fix.

For more information on drains and drain cleaning in Toronto and the GTA, please call Brothers Plumbing at 416-656-6717 or contact us here. Our team of professionals is more than happy to help you when you need it most. Reach out to us today for more information on our affordable services.