04 - stinky plumbing

Why Do My Drains Smell?

Your plumbing can be terrible at times. We don’t mean that your pipes are leaking or that your toilet isn’t flushing correctly. We’re speaking literally. Sometimes the scent coming from your plumbing is plain unpleasant. Even the smell can be really unpleasant at times. There are several different causes for stinky plumbing issues, some of which are more evident than others. No one should have to live in a home with nauseating plumbing odors, regardless of the source.

We outline the four most prevalent causes of poor plumbing odors, along with advice on how to avoid and prevent them, in an effort to demystify (and defuse) unpleasant plumbing odors. If you stick to these recommendations, your bathroom will continue to be a haven rather than a… stank estuary.

sewage line that is broken 

Your sewer line is susceptible to damage from a variety of sources. The line may become clogged until the pressure causes it to burst. The line could become pierced by tree roots. Due to the soil’s characteristics, the line itself can split and sink into the earth. The sewage is leaking from a broken sewer line. sewage smells bad. The most obvious indicator of a sewer line breach could be the smell of sewage flowing from your drains and outside your house. 

Look for persistently clogged toilets, gurgling sounds coming from drains, and insect issues if you suspect a sewer line breach. Sadly, there are no cost-effective professional solutions for sewer line breaks. Make a quick call to experts. Before the issue becomes worse, professionals will need to either dig up your lawn or employ trenchless sewer repair.

Ensure that your waste disposal is clean. 

Your garbage disposal receives a variety of materials. That’s not necessarily a problem because it’s there to support you. after all, get rid of the trash. Unfortunately, though, over time waste can accumulate inside garbage disposals without routine cleaning and maintenance. Your disposal’s interior food waste may begin to smell bad. 

Cleaning your garbage disposal can be done in a variety of ways. Make sure to unplug your disposal before cleaning it in any way. After that, cleaning it out should only require a small amount of dish soap, water, and a sponge. Baking soda and vinegar are other options. Try running your disposal after throwing some ice and lemon peels down the drain after cleaning it. Citrus peel’s natural oils may coat the garbage disposal’s blades and emit a nice smell.

You have p-trap issues.

The “p” or “u”-shaped section of pipe located below your sinks, showers, and other plumbing fixtures is known as the “p-trap” (a strangely apt term). Enough water is stored in the p-trap to prevent harmful sewer gas and odors from rising and exiting your drain. 

Your toilets and showers’ p-traps could become dry if you use them infrequently. Smelly sewer vapors could ascend through your pipes if there isn’t enough water in the p-traps to block it.  Simply running water through your infrequently used fixtures will take care of the issue.

You have an accumulation of bacterial biofilm.

Hair and dirt (biofilm) on the underside of the drain cover.

Biofilm build-up may be the cause of the foul odor coming from your shower drain. The buildup of waste from shower items like oil, shampoo, soap, or lotions can eventually transform into a substance called “biofilm.” Natural bacteria will start to adhere to and feed on biofilm as it builds up in the drain. This biofilm bacterium is what you can smell. 

Fortunately, biofilm treatment is simple. All you have to do is use natural cleaning to get rid of the germs that has accumulated. Pour five to ten gallons of hot, but not boiling, water down the drain. Then add a cup of white vinegar and a half cup of baking soda. Allow it to rest.  Run another pot of hot water down the drain when two hours have passed. Both the biofilm and the odor need to be eliminated.

Smell Good with the Smelly Plumber

Get expert assistance in eradicating the stench if your plumbing has a rotten egg scent. The good news about odorous plumbing issues is that they are typically extremely simple to solve. Call the professionals at CBJ Passaic Plumbers if your issue requires a more technical solution. A pleasant-smelling plumber is all that is necessary to solve a nasty plumbing issue.