How To Stop Drain Smelling

A stinky drain is one of the most unpleasant household problems anyone can encounter. The foul odours emanating from sinks, showers, and toilets can be frustrating and embarrassing, mainly when guests are over.

Fortunately, preventing drain odour isn't complicated or time-consuming. With the right tools and methods, you can eliminate the cause of drain smells and restore fresh air to your home.

Do you have a smelly drain in your home or business in Australia? A smelly drain is a sign of a problem with your drain that must be solved quickly. You should solve the problem promptly before it escalates into a more severe issue.

In this article, we'll discuss some practical ways to deal with your smelly drains and how to stop a foul drain smell. However, before looking into that, it's good to look at the causes of drain odours to understand the best way to solve the problem.

Causes of Drain Odours 

Below are the significant causes of drain odours on your property.

Bacteria buildup

Gunk and bacteria buildup could be the cause of your smelly drain. Everything that goes down your drain, such as dirt, food, and hair, can cause bacteria buildup. When these materials get stuck in the drains, a smell can follow.

Dry P trap

If your drain has stayed for long without use, you might get an odour. Drain lines on your property feature a goose-necked pipe section installed to stop sewer gases from going up through the drain.

The water in the trap evaporates when you don't use your sink. Without the water barrier, gases enter your home, causing an odour. To prevent a dry P trap, you should run some water down all your taps at least once a month.

Missing or clogged vent pipes

All your drains are connected to several vent pipes that bring fresh air in and vent out gases and wastewater odour. If there is a clog in the connection, many issues could occur, including smelly drains. The odour might also be a result of missing vent pipes. In this case, you should have them installed on your property.

The smell from the sump

If the bad smell emanates from your basement sump pump, you might allow wastewater into your sump pump instead of the main sewer drain line.

Grease

If fat or grease sticks in your kitchen drain, you may experience a mould or rotten egg smell—the smell results when the grease accumulates and thickens inside the drains.

Garbage disposal

If you leave food scraps to rot in your kitchen garbage disposal, it will get smelly. A rotten or mouldy smell indicates that you should clean your garbage disposal.

Drain trap

A drain trap is usually installed in your new bathtub or sink to ensure the sewer smell doesn't make it into your home. If you don't have the drain trap or it's not working, then there's no barrier to prevent the smell from entering your home. In this case, you should have it installed or repaired.

Effective Ways to Stop Drain Odours

Here are some top ways to eliminate a smelly drain in your home.

Identify the source of the smell 

The first step in eliminating a smelly drain is to identify the cause of the smell. The most common cause of smelly drains is a buildup of organic matter in the drain or the pipes leading to it. This could include food waste, hair, soap scum, and other debris that can get stuck in the pipes over time.

Other causes could be a dry P-trap or a sewer backup. Once you've identified the source of the smell, you can take appropriate action to eliminate it.

Use a drain cleaner

One of the top ways to stop the drain from smelling is to use a drain cleaner. Many types of drain cleaners are available, including chemical-based cleaners and natural alternatives. Chemical-based cleaners contain harsh chemicals that could harm the environment and damage your pipes if misused.

Natural alternatives, such as baking soda and vinegar, are safer and can be just as effective. Simply pour a full cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by a whole cup of vinegar. Wait for a few minutes before flushing the drain with hot water.

Clean your drains regularly

Regular drain cleaning could help prevent smelly drains from developing in the first place. You could use a homemade drain cleaner, such as baking soda and vinegar, once a month to keep your drains clean and fresh.

You could also use a drain snake or a plunger to remove any debris stuck in the drain. If your home has a garbage disposal, make sure to run it regularly to prevent food waste from accumulating in the drain.

Maintain your plumbing system

Maintaining your plumbing system is essential to prevent smelly drains and other problems. You should have your pipes inspected and cleaned by a professional plumber every few years to prevent buildup and blockages.

It would be best to replace worn-out pipes and fittings to prevent leaks and other issues that can lead to smelly drains. Regular plumbing maintenance is the ultimate solution to your smelly drains and could help ensure your plumbing system is in good condition and functioning correctly. 

Use a deodoriser

If you've tried everything else and your drain still smells, you could use a deodoriser to mask the smell. Many types of deodorisers are available, including sprays, powders, and tablets.

You could choose a deodoriser specifically designed for drains or use a general-purpose deodoriser. Some deodorisers contain essential oils, which could provide a pleasant scent and help kill bacteria that could cause odours.

Boiled water down your drains 

Hot water could also help to break down grease and other substances that cause drain odours. To eliminate unwanted smells, habitually pour a large pot of boiled water down your drains once a week. This will help to flush out any buildup and keep your pipes clean and odour-free.

Use a drain strainer

Another effective way to prevent smelly drains is to use a drain strainer. These inexpensive devices fit over your drain and catch any hair, food scraps, or other debris that might otherwise accumulate in your pipes. By preventing these materials from entering your drain, you can lessen the likelihood of clogs and odours.

To use a drain strainer, simply place it over your drain and secure it in place. You can locate them at most hardware stores or online. Be sure to clean the strainer regularly to prevent it from becoming clogged.

Clean the garbage disposal

The garbage disposal is one of the most common sources of drain odour in the kitchen. Food particles could become trapped in the disposal, leading to unpleasant smells. To clean your garbage disposal, start by turning off the power to the unit. Next, use a scrub brush to clean the interior of the disposal. You could also pour a combination of baking soda and vinegar down the disposal to help eliminate any odours.

Use enzyme cleaners

Enzyme cleaners are an effective and safe way to eliminate drain odours. These cleaners make use of natural enzymes to break down organic matter, such as food particles and grease, that can cause nasty smells.

To use an enzyme cleaner, pour it down your drain and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. The enzymes will work to break down any buildup, leaving your drain smelling fresh and clean.

Use a plumber's snake

If you have a persistent drain odour that won't go away, you may need to use a plumber's snake to clear out any blockages in your pipes. A plumber's snake is a flexible tool that can be inserted into your drain to clear out any debris or blockages. This could help in restoring proper drainage and eliminate any bad smells.

Clean the plastic part of your drain plug

Sometimes the smell may not emanate from the drain but from the plastic in the drain plug. The plug may have gunk that is causing the odour. To eliminate the smell, you should clean the plastic underside. You could clean it in your dishwasher or spray it with white vinegar to give it a fresh scent.

Need Help With Your Smelly Drains?

Smelly or blocked drains can be a nuisance, but they're not impossible to deal with. Following the tips in this article, you can stop drains smelling and keep your home smelling fresh and clean.

However, if you've tried all these methods and your drain still smells, it might be time to call a professional plumber. A plumber can use specialised tools and techniques to clean out your pipes and eliminate any stubborn clogs or odours.

Professional drain cleaning might be expensive, but it's often worth the cost if you're dealing with a persistent odour or recurring clogs or require emergency plumbing services. Additionally, regular drain cleaning could prevent more severe plumbing problems down the line.