Help! My drain smells like sewage!
The drainage system in our homes and communities plays a crucial role in maintaining our quality of life. It efficiently removes waste and dirty water from our bathrooms and kitchens, making it essential to keep our drains clean and well-maintained.
Proper maintenance prevents issues such as blockages, unhygienic conditions, and a foul drain smell.
However sometimes, no matter how hard we try, our drains can emanate a truly horrific smell that is enough to turn even the strongest of stomachs. In this blog post, we will look at the common culprits when it comes to a smelly drain and most importantly — how to eliminate the problem and offending smell once and for all.
The causes of smelly drains
- Bacteria and clogs – blocked drains and the accumulation of bacteria are the most common reason for a drain smelling foul. Whenever you notice that the sink or the pipeline is clogged and the smell is coming from there, it is most likely due to the accumulation of stuff like hair, grease, and other debris on the pipeline.
- Water issues – the sulphate concentration of the water makes it smelly and when it comes in contact with the water heaters, it reacts in a way that creates a rotten egg kind of smell, leading to the foul smelly drain.
- Sewer gases – in cases where a drain is left unused for long, sewer gases rise up the drain and cause it to smell foul. Additionally, untreated sewer gas leaks can result in similar consequences.
- Mould/mildews – in case of leakage in the pipe, the mould or the mildews start building up. When they grow in large quantities, they start emitting an unpleasant smell which in turn causes the foul smelling of the entire drainage system.
These are the key reasons why a drain might smell foul. Now, let’s explore the most convenient tactics for eliminating smelly drains.
How to clean smelly drains?
For odour created due to a clogged drain, bacteria, and blockages
In most cases, eliminating bacteria from drains or pipelines effectively tackles unpleasant odours. For stubborn clogs, using a drain snake can clear blockages and remove foul smells. If the odour comes from the shower drain, a plunger can help clear clogs and eliminate the stench. You don’t need complicated techniques; even boiling water can kill the bacteria causing the odour.
Additionally, using hot water with bleach or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda with boiling water can effectively destroy bacteria and clogs, thereby eliminating the unpleasant smell.
For odour created due to sewer gas and unused drains
To prevent a sewer gas smell from rising, avoid letting the taps remain dry for extended periods. Ensure the P-trap in your kitchen sink drain is working properly to stop an unpleasant sewer smell from entering your kitchen drain.
Remember, when the taps are filled with water and wastewater flows consistently through the pipes, the likelihood of foul odours is significantly reduced.
For odour created due to water heater issues
Since this issue is primarily due to water heater problems, you can address it by increasing the heat. This will kill the bacteria and reduce the sulphate concentration in the water, which is responsible for the foul smell in the drain.
For odour created due to plumbing, moulds, and mildew related issues
While most other options can be addressed with DIY techniques, this particular issue might require a plumber’s expertise. Leaks in the pipeline or growing mould and mildew need thorough inspection. If they are not properly managed, replacement might be necessary to prevent unpleasant odours from the drainage system.
Conclusion
Here are some common causes of stinky drain smells and effective remedies to get rid of them. It’s crucial to know how to unblock a drain or, better yet, prevent blockages and clogs, as these are often the main culprits behind foul odours. Implementing the techniques mentioned above can significantly help if done correctly.
Need help from the professionals?
If you’ve tried the above methods and still can’t eliminate the foul odour from your drains, it may be time to call in the professionals.
At BDS Drainage, we specialise in identifying and resolving all types of drainage issues swiftly and effectively. Whether it’s a stubborn clog, a sewer gas problem, or mould and mildew that’s causing the issue, our skilled team is here to help.
Don’t let a smelly drain disrupt your quality of life—contact BDS Drainage today for a free quote and a thorough and professional solution to your drainage problems.
