Why Does My Sink Drain Smell?
Whether it be washing the dishes or starting the garbage disposal, your kitchen sink works hard every day. It’s expected to give off bad odors from time to time considering the amount of food products going down the drain. You may be wondering what causes your kitchen sink to smell bad and are maybe worried that it’s a serious problem. Luckily, getting rid of the foul drain smell is fairly easy. If you recently notice a change in smell in your kitchen and can’t figure out the source of it, it’s most likely coming from your kitchen sink. Read this guide from Sunshine Plumbers on how to deal with a stinky kitchen sink.
Causes of a Drain Smell
- Mold- One of the pipes under your kitchen sink may be leaking, causing mold to grow on the floorboards and create a rotting smell. In a situation like this, you should remove the floorboards that have mold and call a plumber for leak repair.
- Bacteria Growth-Bacteria usually help out to decompose in your plumbing system and can be beneficial. However, if there’s too much present or the wrong bacteria found its way into the system, it can lead to problems like bad odor. Substances like food particles, soap, dishwash, and hair strands can go through your drains every day. If these build up in your pipes, they can lead to clogs and blockages, which can also be a cause of bad odor. Call Sunshine Plumbers for drain cleaning to get rid of stubborn blockages.
- Venting Problems- This may be unexpected, but a clog in your venting pipes may be the cause of the smelling problem. Pipes run sewer gases to the roof of your home, but if they encounter a clog in the venting pipes, they can get sent down and out through your drains.
How to Get Rid of a Smelly Drain
- Baking Soda and Vinegar- This is an easy unclogging method that can be done with basic ingredients in your home. First off, gather the baking soda and vinegar and boil some water, you’ll need it to wash down the solution. Next, pour one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar down your sink drain. These two substances will react and clear out the blockage in your drain. To finish clearing out the clog, wash down the solution by pouring boiling water into the drain.
- Ice Cubes and Lemon Peels- For bad smells rising from your garbage disposal, try this method. With your garbage disposal turned off, pour some ice cubes and coarse salt down the disposal. Turn on your garbage disposal and let it operate for a few seconds until the ice and salt are processed. Throw in the lemon peels to replace the bad odor with fresh scents.
There is one thing all homeowners should avoid at all times. Chemical drain cleaners may seem like an effective option because they clear out the clog in your drains. However, the harmful toxins in the chemical cleaners can cause serious damage to your pipes by wearing them out, causing corrosion, and even burst pipes. Try other methods of unclogging before you resort to this harmful solution.
A Trusted Helper
If none of the options above work, your last resort will be to call a trusted plumber for help. They are the most qualified people to take on this job and can help you detect where the filthy smell is coming from. From inspection to drain cleaning, we have it here at Sunshine Plumbers. Schedule your appointment with us today.
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