Experiencing Smell Drains or Foul Odors from Plumbing?

Drain odors are not uncommon, but they can have a variety of causes. The most typical source is that something in a drain line is rotting or growing bacteria. This could be the result of hair or food sitting in drains or blockages in the sewer line that cause odorous gasses and fumes to travel back up and out of the drain line.

Normally, drain odors are kept at bay by P-Traps that hold a bit of water in a 180-degree curve that holds a bit of water to block the reverse gases that source smells. Should the water in the P-trap evaporate due to minimal use or hot weather, odors can seep back out.

If the sewer main gets clogged, stuck debris can work its way into other drain lines, infiltrate the P-trap and permit the smells to permeate the entire system. Fortunately, most plumbing issues that cause foul smells aren’t too costly or time-consuming to eradicate. Here are some resolutions that can be attempted before calling in professional plumbers.

Refill the P-Trap

Having functional plumbing traps is essential to evading odors, as even after several hours on non-use, the water can evaporate, leaving a wide open space for odors to seep up the line. The easiest way to fix this issue is to refill the P-trap by allowing the water to run in sinks for about 15 seconds or about a minute in tubs. For toilets, a simple flush is likely to resolve the issue.

Run the Dishwasher or Garbage Disposal

If there are smells coming from the kitchen sink drain or dishwasher, these  problems can also be fixed fairly quickly and easily. Kitchen drains tend to get clogged with food particulates in the garbage disposal or when the dishwasher needs the filter trap cleaned. Look in the dishwasher’s manual to find out how to check, clean and/or replace the filter, and use a dishwasher cleaner to ensure the drain is also clean.

Run water in the kitchen sink for a few seconds and let the garbage disposal run for around 30 seconds to give the blades time to chew up waste that has sat in the drain too long. To enhance the cleaning and end up with a fresh smell, use a chopped up slice of citrus fruit and toss it in for a final run that also sanitizes the interior of the disposal.

Use Baking Soda & Vinegar

Using baking soda, vinegar and hot water is an excellent way to clean out drains that may have smells. Baking soda and vinegar have a power chemical reaction that creates pressure that duplicates store-bought drain cleaners that can cause damage to pipes. Pour a few tablespoons of baking soda down the drain, then add several tablespoons of plain white vinegar. Block the drain with a plug and wait a few minutes for the solution to work its odor-eliminating magic before rinsing with warm water.

Schedule a Drain Cleaning Service With Pilot Plumbing

Here at Pilot Plumbing, we handle residential and commercial plumbing services in Conroe, The Woodlands and the greater Montgomery County area. Whether you have foul smells, leaks, clogs or need a new installation or repair to plumbing fixtures, call us today at 936-788-6829 or schedule service online.