Top 3 Causes of Drains and Water That Smells Bad

Coming home in the evening and being greeted by a rotten egg odor from your gate to your compound is a horrible experience. Most of the time, a bad odor indicates that your drainage system isn’t working properly. It’s possible that your drainage pipes are cracked, your water heater is too cold for bacterial infestations, or the vents in your drainage system are clogged with food scraps, resulting in a sewage odor.

Kitchen sink drain smells needs urgent attention. JBK plumbers provide courteous, professional, and efficient plumbing services. Our skilled professional technicians will respond quickly to your call so that the problem does not endanger the health of your loved ones.

Why Do My Drains Smell?

There are a number of reasons why your drain smells. Below are some of the major causes of foul odors inside your home.

Faults in drain and sewer line systems

Your home’s plumbing systems are prone to wear and tear. Drain pipes can deteriorate and leak over time. If not properly maintained, the shower, kitchen, and other drains are also prone to clogging. Furthermore, the main sewer line system may malfunction. This is more serious because sewer odors and the release of sewer gases like methane will enter your home.

Flushing diapers, tampons, poop, hair, and solid food waste down the toilet can easily cause blockages and drain clogs.

The smell in the bathroom sink is caused by undissolved soap or toothpaste residue that has accumulated over time.

Solid particles may also contribute to an odorous drain if they become stuck in your kitchen and cannot be flushed down the kitchen sink drain. Cooking fat and oil poured down the drain can exacerbate the blockage problem.

Bacteria in water heaters

Unfortunately, the rods in your water heater will decay over time, releasing hydrogen sulfur gas that reacts with bacteria in tank residue to produce a rotten egg odor. Bacteria multiplies when the heater temperature is too low or is not used for an extended period of time. Bacteria thrive in cold water temperatures below 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

P-trap and venting issues

Bird nests that block vent pipes at the top of your roof can cause foul odors. The debris obstructs the airflow at the vent pipes, resulting in obstructed airflow and a vacuum at the bottom of the P – traps. Sewer gases will back up from the pipes as the vacuum is created.

Leaking water at the P-trap or dry tap when the kitchen drain, shower drain, or other drain lines are unused for an extended period of time causes smelly drains. This is due to a broken seal at the u-shaped pipe, which allows sewer odors to enter.

Simple Remedies for a Smelly Drain

Here are simple fixes to eliminate smelly sink drains:

Pour baking soda and vinegar: It will create a chemical reaction that will dissolve the clog within the clogged drain. The drain smell will go away within no time.

Use boiling water in the kitchen sink: The nasty smell in your kitchen sink may be caused by odor-causing bacteria acting on rotting food particles. Pouring hot water with lemon peels and coarse salt down your kitchen sink will drain the smell, creating fresh air in your kitchen.

Remove drain cover: After removing the drain cover, do your best to pull out the solid waste-tangled hair with soap scum using a sump pump.

If you use the above methods and the unpleasant odor persists, you will need to contact a professional. JBK Plumbers is the best option if you live in Lehi, UT, the Saratoga Springs, Lehi, Eagle Mountain, American Fork area, or elsewhere. Our experts will inspect your commercial or residential property thoroughly. We will eliminate the smelly drain smell in your home and provide proper drain cleaning service at a reasonable cost.

Have smelly drains? Contact JBK plumbers to get a lasting solution!

Improper garbage disposal, clogs, bacteria at the water heater, and blocked vent pipes at the P – trap can all cause an unpleasant odor in your sink drain. Sludge can be removed using a combination of DIY solutions such as hot water, baking soda, and hot vinegar. Contact JBK Plumbers if the problem persists. We are dependable professionals with over 20 years of experience repairing plumbing problems. For years, we have been repairing smelly kitchen and shower drains in Lehi, UT, and the surrounding area.

If you require water heater repair, drain cleaning, water softener installation, or any other service, our team will come to assess the situation and complete the work that is worth your money. If the smelly drains are caused by the main sewer, we recommend that you contact the municipal authorities. To schedule a free quote from our professional plumber, call us at 801-874-7976.