We’ll be blunt … do your drains smell? Smelly drains are nothing to be embarrassed about because it’s probably not your fault. Then again, it might be. Either way, you just want to know how to fix a smelly drain so you can get back to enjoying life at home without a peg on your nose.
How to stop smelly drains
First things first: What on earth are you smelling, anyway? In most cases, you’re breathing in the stench of bacteria munching away on drain muck, turning into hydrogen sulphide gas, and emitting that familiar and gross rotten egg-mixed-with-sewage stench. Yuck!
And now we’ll be honest – this could all be your fault! How often do you do basic drain cleaning maintenance?
This can involve:
- Pouring (almost) boiling water down the drain every week
- Using a biological, enzyme-rich cleaner
- Doing a regular baking soda-plus-vinegar flush
- Watching what you try to wash down the drain.
With that little slap on the wrist over with, the next question to consider is whether it really is as simple as a bit of muck down the drain. That’s because it might also be:
1. A dry P-Trap
Has the drain been unused for a while? It could be that the P-trap has simply dried up so that it’s no longer doing its job of blocking those disgusting and hazardous sewer gases. Luckily, the smelly drain fix here is simple – run those taps more often.
2. A clogged vent
Did you know your drains are connected to highly important vent pipes? The idea is to keep fresh air flowing in there – and allowing the disgusting gases (and smells) to escape. Your plumbing may not be sufficiently ventilated, or you could be dealing with a clog – so check with your blocked drain plumber.
3. Grease
Unique to other drain muck, grease, fats and oils so easily congeal … and stink. If you’re guilty of pouring oily, greasy gunk down your drains, try to repair the damage with some of those drain maintenance tips above. And stop pouring it down there!
4. The garbage disposal
Those with memories that go back a couple of decades will recall that garbage disposal units were commonplace in Australia – until environmental concerns made them a lot, lot rarer. One of the unintended side-effects of using them is the smell because waste that needs to be chewed up to go down the drain easily turns into a gross, rotting pile of funk (and this gunk can be a breeding ground for those stinky drain flies). If you still use one, don’t forget to watch what you’re putting in there, and run the tap while you’re running the unit.
5. The water itself
Your drains may smell … but is it actually the water? The problem could actually be bacteria that has taken residence inside your hot water system, or it could be the pipes or something else that is stinking up your water and making it stink. If in doubt, don’t risk it … and call a plumber.
Bonus read: How to unblock a kitchen sink
The Drain Masters know your drains inside-out
Who better to implement your professional smelly drains fix than the real Drain Masters? Here at Drain Masters Plumbing, we’re Brisbane’s stand-out specialists when it comes to diagnosing, fixing, clearing, cleaning, unblocking, and everything else relating to your precious drains.
We combine our service with workmanship guarantees, great prices and a smile every time. So whether you’re in Annerley, Indooroopilly, Toowong, Wakerley or anywhere in Brisbane, get in touch with the friendly team at Drain Masters Plumbing today.
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