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Why Do My Drains Smell?

Why do my Drains Smell

Imagine your perfect house with a beautiful interior, immaculate garden and drains that smell like sewage. It's not a pleasant place to invite your friends, and no amount of air freshener can solve drains smell.

Smelly drainage is a common problem. There are many reasons for unpleasant odours, such as clogged pipes, dead rodents, or issues like sewer gas.

Here is a list of some of the possibilities:

Food waste blocking the drain

Drains that smell like rotten eggs probably have food waste clogging the pipes. While dishwashing, we rinse plates in kitchen sinks expecting food debris to wash away. However, some sticky and greasy food sticks to the pipes. Food waste can remain until it starts to rot. Food decomposition is a foul odour that smells like rotten eggs. Even with warm water washing, this problem can occur. However, keep running hot soapy fresh water through drains daily (after doing dishes), and most debris will wash away.

Drain smells from the drain trap.

Another common problem is drain smells from the drain trap or plumbing p-trap. A p-trap is the curved pipe installed under the sink. When filled with water, it prevents sewer gas from rising into the house—installing a water p-trap blocks the foul air to stop plug hole gas smells.

When a sink, shower or basin isn't used for a while, the water in the p-trap evaporates. Once you have checked that you have a p-trap, solve the smells by running the tap or pouring some water to fill it again. It might take a day or two for the strong scent to go away. If the problem persists, contact a professional plumber.

Clogged drain pipes

A simple reason for awful smells is clogged drain pipes. If water overflows, pours out of a vent, goes out of the toilet slowly or makes a gurgling sound, it's likely to be clogging the drains. Always try to keep vent and sewage lines clear of clogging. If you suspect a problem, call a plumber.

Bacteria build-up

Bacteria build-up in the p-trap from food, hair, and dirt particles can create hydrogen sulphide gas. Hydrogen sulphide production occurs during plant and animal protein decay, such as food waste.

Clean sinks, basins, baths, and showers regularly so the p-trap remains free from impurities. Pouring water mixed with baking soda and vinegar followed by fresh hot water can help.

Grease, oil and fat build-up

When tipping away washing up water, we often throw grease or oily water down the drain. Grease build-up might be the cause of your smelly drain. Although dishwasher powder, washing up liquid, and soaps can help, they cannot always disperse the build-up. Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water rinsed through pipes can help.

Biofilm build-up

Biofilm build-up is bacteria that builds up in a combination of different types of organic waste that form sticky substances in pipes and are also harmful to health. Products like soap, shampoo, and oil combined with hair and skin cells can create a biofilm.

Biofilm adheres to the walls of vents, forming colourless and sticky rings. Regularly cleaning drains and vents with appropriate disinfectant can prevent biofilm build-up.

Compromised wax ring

A leak-proof toilet flange ring, odour-proof stink-pot wax ring flange washer divides your drain and toilet bowl. If, for some reason, the wax ring wears out or gets damaged, water from the toilet can leak, leading to awful sewer smells. Repairing or replacing the wax ring usually solves the problem completely.

However, toilets with compromised seals connecting the toilet with the drain allow sewer gases (such as hydrogen sulphide) to release. Sewer gases can cause nausea, headache, and sometimes vomiting, so address the problem immediately.

Prevention is best.

Awareness about kitchen sink or waste disposal is the first step in drains smell prevention. Timely cleaning of vents and drain pipes is best. Suitable cleaning disinfectants or home remedies fix most of the plumbing issues efficiently. More demanding issues require a plumber, as it's best not to mess with smelly business unless fully trained. Don't hesitate to get in touch with our drainage specialists in London if your drains smell.

Need help?

If you need help with your drainage, plumbing, heating or boiler in London, do not hesitate to contact Boiler Breakdowns today. We have a team of specialist plumbers and engineers who are on hand to assist you, anywhere across London. Get in touch today.

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