How to fix P-trap smell?

Author: Elsa Doyle  |  Last update: Friday, August 8, 2025

To eliminate odors coming from a dry p-trap, pour half a gallon of water into the trap to restore the barrier. It will prevent the odors from seeping through the drain. Another helpful method is to add a cup of white vinegar bleach to get rid of larvae and slow down the evaporation.

How do I fix sewer gas smell in the bathroom?

How to Get Rid of Sewer Smell in Bathroom?
  1. Ensure Proper Ventilation.
  2. Clean Your Sink and Toilet Thoroughly.
  3. Refill the Water Trap in Your Sink.
  4. Inspect and Repair Damaged Pipes.
  5. Clear Blockages in the Sewer Line.
  6. Use Natural Remedies and DIY Solutions.
  7. Long-Term Solutions and Prevention.

How do you fix a toilet that smells like p-traps?

P-trap Sewer Smell Solution

This typically has the easiest of all fixes. Try This: Run water through your sink or drain to allow the P-trap to properly fill up with water again and effectively block those smells from perpetrating your home.

How do I get rid of the sewer smell in my sink?

How to stop the smell
  1. Pour a small amount of white vinegar down the plughole.
  2. Let the vinegar stand for half an hour (30 minutes)
  3. Flush the drain through with hot water.

How do you fix a smelly drain pipe?

Let the tap run for a few seconds and then turn it off. Pour a cup of baking soda into the drain, and follow it up with two cups of hot vinegar (near boiling point). Allow the mixture to fizz and leave for an hour. Pour hot tap water down the drain and see if the clog clears.

SMELL SEWER GAS don’t call a plumber (EASY FIX)

How to clean a P-trap without removing it?

Pour some baking soda down your drain and then pour boiling water down after. Sometimes this will clear the clog. Use a plunger on your sink drain to try to force the clog out of the trap.

What is the best drain smell remover?

Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution

One of the most popular and effective home remedies for smelly drains involves the use of baking soda and vinegar.

What neutralizes the smell of sewage?

Charcoal-based odor absorbers or baking soda can be placed near the source of the odor or in the affected rooms to absorb and neutralize the smell.

How do you deodorize a sink trap?

5 Effective Methods to Eliminate Sink Drain Odors
  1. Boiling Water Flush. Pour boiling water slowly down the drain to dissolve built-up grease and flush away debris that may cause clogs. ...
  2. Lemon and Baking Soda. ...
  3. Salt and Ice Cubes. ...
  4. Clean the P-Trap. ...
  5. Baking Soda and Vinegar.

Is drano bad for pipes?

The Short Answer Is: Drano and similar chemical drain cleaners can be harmful to home drain pipes as they contain corrosive chemicals that may deteriorate pipes over time, especially if used frequently.

Why does my P-trap smell so bad?

Nine times out of ten, a sewer gas smell problem is coming from a P-trap that has lost its water for some reason; the trap is leaking, something is siphoning the trap empty (Example: it's full of long hair that is 'wicking' the water down enough to break the water-seal), or it's just drying out from not being used.

Will caulking a toilet stop sewer smell?

In addition, urine and water can get under your toilet and cause further damage. Apply caulking to form a protective coating around your toilet base and combat bad odors.

Why does my bathroom smell like sewer but no leak?

Common causes of sewer smell in the bathroom can be from a dried-out P-trap, a blocked or damaged vent pipe or sewer pipe, a leaking toilet seal or a build-up of organic matter.

Why does my house suddenly have a strong sewer smell?

These are the most common causes of sewer line clogs, broken or damaged sewer lines, and foul sewer odors in homes: Clogged drains and blockages. Blockages or backups from the city's sewer system. Tree roots that have intruded into the sewer line.

What is the best odor eliminator for the bathroom?

11 Best Odor Eliminators of 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Cleaning Experts
  • Best Overall. Clorox Disinfecting Mist. Read more.
  • Best Value. Febreze Odor-Fighting Air Freshener. Read more.
  • Best for Bathroom Odors. Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray. Read more.

How to fix a dried out P-trap?

Slowly pour about a gallon of water into the drain. This will refill the trap and recreate the seal to block sewer gases. For long-term prevention, consider adding a small amount of mineral oil on top of the water in the P-trap.

How to get rid of smelly bathroom drains?

Baking soda and vinegar are worth exploring to clean a stinky drain. Run your hot faucet for several seconds before turning it off. Tip one cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by two cups of hot vinegar. Let it fizz, then flush the drain with hot tap water after one hour.

Can p-traps go bad?

PVC pipes or steel pipes are the most commonly installed p-traps in residential homes. Kitchen plumbing tends to use steel since it is more attractive in appearance. When p-traps aren't properly installed, they can become damaged and leak toxic sewer smells into your home.

How do I fix sewer smell in bathroom?

8 Ways to Get Rid of Sewer Gas Smell
  1. Clean the sink overflow. ...
  2. Check the toilet wax ring. ...
  3. Caulk the toilet base. ...
  4. Clean out bacterial growth in drains. ...
  5. Check rarely used bathtubs and sinks. ...
  6. Check for leaks. ...
  7. Inspect your garbage disposal splash guard. ...
  8. Schedule a video drain inspection.

Is it safe to stay in a house that smells like sewer?

Answer: Only under extremely unusual circumstances. Although hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas, it will not harm people at the concentrations that exist in a house with sewer gas odor problems. Studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide has a depressant effect on the central nervous system in concentrations above 150 ppm.

What chemical neutralizes sewage?

Reducing agents, also known as oxidizing agents, include sodium bisulfite, sodium hydrosulfite, and ferrous sulfate. They are typically used to remove harmful substances, such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, and biological contaminants, from wastewater.

How do you deodorize a sink drain?

Dump one cup of baking soda down the drain followed by two cups of hot vinegar. Let the concoction fizz. After one hour, flush the drain with hot tap water.

Is green gobbler safe on pipes?

This is a big deal when you live in a home with a septic system. We were always hesitant to use certain products in the past and Green Gobbler's products truly give us peace of mind. The Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolverdoes not contain bleach or sodium hydroxide, and it's safe for PVC and copper pipes.

Does pouring vinegar down the drain make it smell better?

Vinegar is a common household product that can be used to kill germs, mold, and bacteria. The unique properties found in this common item can also help rid your sink of unpleasant odors. Simply pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and wait for 30 minutes.

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