Foul-smelling drains can make your space an unpleasant place to be. Unfortunately, a bad odour can develop anywhere in your kitchen or bathroom and then spread throughout your home.
So, how can you get it sorted fast?
What causes drains to smell?
Food trapped down the kitchen sink or a smelly shower drain blocked with grease, hair and soap scum are just some of the culprits when your drains start smelling. Bad plumbing can also be to blame, so a CCTV drain survey could identify any lingering issues.
Unfortunately, you may also have an outside drain smell caused by hard-to-reach blockages. If you suspect something is amiss with your outside drainage system, it’s always a good idea to speak with a plumbing professional who can carry out some fast and effective drain jetting to clear those blocked pipes.
How to stop drains smelling: Top tips
You can take action if your kitchen or bathroom drains are creating a less-than-pleasant smell. Here’s how to stop drains from smelling and keep odours at bay.
How to stop kitchen sink smells
Start by cleaning your sink with hot water and soap, paying attention to the areas around the tap. Remove every trace of gunk, using an old toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies.
Next, tackle the drain. Start by removing food particles or debris, then flush the drain with almost boiling water. Add washing-up liquid to shift any greasy build-up, and use a plunger if the blockage is stubborn. Resist the temptation to use harsh chemical cleaners, which can damage your pipes and cause long-term problems.
How to fix a smelly shower drain
You can use a similar procedure to fix a smelly bathroom drain — first, clean the area thoroughly and remove any hair or soap scum. Flush with boiling water and use a specialised sink plunger if necessary.
What is the best homemade drain cleaner?
Baking soda and vinegar are a great combination for killing nasty odours. Put a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and a glug of vinegar in your drain and leave for 15 seconds. Then, pour down a kettleful of boiling water and leave your homemade drain cleaner to work.
If you don’t have baking soda and vinegar, try filling the sink with hot water and bleach. Then, let the bleach drain through the pipes to remove any debris.
What do plumbers use to clean drains?
Plumbers use various drain cleaning methods to stop drain smells in their tracks. Drain jetting is commonly used to get rid of a persistent drain blockage that might be causing an unpleasant smell.
If there are other issues at play, they can use a CCTV drain survey to determine the root of the problem.
How to stop drain smells from returning
You’ve tackled the problem, but how do you stop drain smells from returning? Get into the habit of cleaning your drains once a month and follow these other handy tips:
- Keep food scraps out of your sink. Vegetable peelings, eggs, and grease can all build up and cause unpleasant odours.
- Clean your dishwasher: If you notice a stink from your dishwasher, clear the filter and use a cleaning product to remove the bad smell.
- Only flush toilet paper: wet wipes, fingernail clippings, and nappies can all cause clogs and a bad smell.
- Check your U-bend: Your U-bend pipe should always be full of water to prevent sewer gas from escaping into your home. If it’s empty, add water. If a leak is causing it to malfunction, it’s best to call an emergency plumber.
- Keep your sink and shower drains clear: Don’t let hair collect in your bathtub, shower drain or bathroom sink. Use a specialist un-blocker or try a DIY drain cleaner.
We also recommend booking regular drain maintenance to prevent drain smells from recurring.
Expert drain services from Drain 365
At Drain365, we’re experts in preventing nasty odours and dealing with troublesome drains. Get in touch with our expert team today or call 0800 699 0922 to stop drain smells once and for all.