Noticing an unpleasant smell coming from your drains can be a real headache. But what causes smelly drains? Common causes of smelly drains will change depending on the area of the house that is affected. Before calling a draincare professional, there are some common DIY fixes you can try. Discover how to get rid of smelly drains, step by step, in this dedicated guide.
What Causes Smelly Drains?
There are some common causes of smelly drains which typically impact specific areas of the home:
A Build-Up of Organic Matter
Rinsing dishes into the kitchen sink can lead to food waste and grease accumulating in the pipes and causing blockages. The same is true of bathroom drains, which often become clogged with hair and soap scum. Organic matter like this decomposes easily in the moist environment of your pipes, leading to microbial growth and foul smells coming from your drains.
Blocked Drain Pipes
If the pipe that drains your toilet becomes blocked, waste can decay and back up. This can cause very unpleasant odours in your bathroom. If you notice this in your home, you may want to consider a professional drain unblocking service.
Dry Trap
A P-trap is a u-shaped pipe that stops sewer gases from entering your home. The curved shape of the pipe retains some of the water that flows down the drain of your toilet, sink or shower, creating an air-tight seal that blocks gas and unpleasant smells from moving up the drainage system. If the trap dries out (for example, during the drier months the water tends to evaporate faster), sewer gases can bypass the P-trap and enter your home via the drain, causing an unpleasant smell.
Mould and Mildew
When we talk about mould, many people will picture the black splotches that often grow on the walls of badly ventilated bathrooms — but in reality, mould and mildew can be all sorts of colours and some varieties can be toxic. These fungal growths can flourish on the damp surfaces of your drains, resulting in a persistently musty, sour, or stale smell.
Drain Vent Issues
If your drains are not vented efficiently, sewer gases can become trapped or find their way back into the property, leading to unpleasant odours.
How to Get Rid of Smelly Drains – Quick and Easy Fixes
Are you noticing a sewage smell coming and going in your home? There are some DIY fixes that you may be able to use – depending on the area of the house that is suffering from the smelly drain. Here are some of the top DIY fixes, for the most common problems we see.
Kitchen Sinks
If your kitchen sink is emitting a foul odour, the most likely cause is a build up of food waste, grease, and other non-soluble cooking detritus. The easiest way to break down a partial blockage or accumulation of debris is to boil a full kettle of water and then leave it to cool until it is hot, but not boiling (to avoid any damage to your pipes). Pour the hot water into a bucket alongside a generous squirt of dish soap, and then pour the hot soapy mixture down your kitchen sink. Allow it to drain fully, and then run the tap as normal to flush through any remaining bubbles.
If you prefer a more natural cleaning solution, add one cup of baking soda to your kitchen drain, and then pour in two cups of white vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction between the acidic vinegar and alkaline baking soda causes fizzing, which can help to break down and carry away organic matter.
Bathroom Sinks
If your bathroom smells like sewage, there are also some steps you can take to clean away the issue. First, make sure that you have removed any soap residue and hair from the plug holes (you can unscrew the plughole to access any build-up inside it for further cleaning). Secondly, you can repeat the steps of using hot water or baking soda and vinegar to flush through the pipes and remove the cause of the smell. This also applies to unblocking a shower drain.
Outside Drains
Sometimes, outdoor drains can begin to smell very unpleasant. If this is the case, make sure that there is no build up of leaves or other debris in or around the drain, as this can not only cause blockages but also contribute to the scent of decay and mould. You can then try using a standard pressure washer or a garden hose to flush out the drain and remove the blockage.
If this doesn’t work, you will need professional draincare help. TWC can identify the cause of the problem using CCTV Drain Surveying. From here, we can recommend the best solution. From drain repairs to drain unblocking, using high-pressure drain jetting equipment if the issue persists.
How to Stop Drains From Smelling in the Future
There are some easy preventative measures that you can make a part of your drain care routine, reducing the risk of smelly drains in the future.
- Regularly flush your drains with hot water (once every three months) to help remove sediment and avoid serious build up.
- Invest in drain strainers! These affordable covers for your drains can catch hair, food and debris before it can enter your pipes, allowing you to clean more efficiently and avoid introducing unnecessary organic matter to your plumbing.
- If there are any drains in your house that are not frequently used (for example, in a guest bathroom or an outdoor sink), make sure that you run water down them regularly to avoid the P-traps drying out and releasing sewer gases.
- Schedule regular cleanings for your outside drains with TWC! Our engineers use the latest technology, including CCTV drain surveillance and high-pressure drain jetting, to identify and remove blockages to keep your entire system running (and smelling) as it should.
How to Clean Smelly Drains: DIY Methods
Alongside the natural drain cleaning methods of boiling water and vinegar/baking soda that we outlined above, there are also products designed specifically to eradicate the bad smells coming from your drains.
Enzyme Cleaners
Perfectly designed to break down organic waste, enzyme cleaners are a fantastic biological alternative to harsh chemicals. They work by speeding up chemical reactions, which enables the cleaner to break down and consume organic material. This process leaves behind only water and carbon dioxide, so it will not harm the environment or damage your pipes.
Commercial Drain Cleaners
If your drains require a stronger cleaning agent, a commercial drain cleaner might be a viable option. These extremely acidic or alkaline solutions should always be used with caution — they can cause damage to your pipes if over-used and can be harmful to the environment. However, they are extremely efficient at dissolving organic material.
My Drains Still Smell — What Should I Do?
If you have tried the methods outlined above and your drain still smells unpleasant, it is time to get in contact with a professional — whether that is to enquire about your local sewer system, or to engage a drain care expert like our TWC engineers to investigate further.
Persistent Drain Odours
If you have thoroughly cleaned your drains but the bad smell persists, this suggests a problem further into your plumbing. Call TWC Draincare, and our engineers can use the latest CCTV drain surveillance technology to inspect your drain from the inside and find exactly what is causing the smell.
Slow or Blocked Drains
If the bad smell is accompanied by glugging or sucking sounds coming from the drain, slow drainage, or a back-up of water and waste, your drain is probably blocked. You can check out our previous blog on DIY drain unblocking solutions, or contact the TWC Draincare team; we will be happy to assist you in unblocking your drain and getting rid of the odour.
Sewer Line Problems
Sometimes, an issue with the sewer system might be causing a foul odour in your home. If you suspect this, contact your local water board — they will be able to advise you further, and your report can help them to diagnose wider problems with the water supply to your area.
Expert Help
Whilst DIY drain fixes can often make a positive difference with minor issues, sometimes professional help is required. For example, if the cause of your smelly drain is further into your pipework, a venting problem (which can be difficult to inspect without the proper equipment) or caused by a stubborn blockage, you will need to contact a professional.
How to Get Rid of Smelly Drains Professionally
At TWC Draincare, we pride ourselves on fast, friendly customer service. We understand that your home is your pride and joy. So we want to help you enjoy your space without smelly drains ruining your day! We never charge call-out fees, and all our work is fully guaranteed. For help with your smelly drain, you can contact TWC Draincare here.
