Why is there a nasty smell coming from my drains?

Author: Domenick Reinger  |  Last update: Friday, February 21, 2025

Hydrogen Sulfide Odor If you begin to notice a smell like rotten eggs coming from your drain, you could be dealing with hydrogen sulfide. It's formed when bacteria grow in the drains and pipes. You could end up with a rotten-egg smell if you haven't used your drain for a long time.

How do you get the rotten smell out of a drain?

Pour 1⁄2 cup of baking soda into the smelly drain. Follow with 1⁄2 cup of white vinegar and let it fizz for 10-15 minutes. Flush the drain with boiling water to clear residue and odors. A dried-out P-trap can allow sewer gases to escape.

Why is there a funny smell coming from my drain?

A sink drain may smell due to a buildup of bacteria, food debris, or other substances that get trapped in the pipes. Other causes include a dry P-trap, a clogged sewer vent, or a broken sewer line.

How to clear a smelly drain?

Baking Soda and Vinegar: - Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drain. - Follow this with 1 cup of white vinegar. You'll see it fizz and bubble; this reaction helps break down grime and odors. - Let the mixture sit for about 15-30 minutes. Rinse with Hot Water:

Why does my drain smell like sewage but no leak?

That is a partially clogged main drain. It's has some of the venting blocked at times and is pulling the trap to get it which is why you smell sewer gas sometimes. You should snake or have it snaked by a drain service like roto rooter, or a plumber with a powered machine.

NEVER clear a BLOCKED Sink with baking soda and vinegar ! Use this instead!

How to detect where sewer smell is coming from?

Where is the odor coming from? Check your home's drains, toilets, and plumbing fixtures for any signs of leaks or damage. Look for cracks, loose connections, or broken seals allowing sewer gas to escape. Additionally, inspect your sewer vents on the roof or outside your home for any obstruction or damage.

Are drain smells harmful?

Drain smells that are not handled quickly may get worse over time. Sewer gases are also harmful to your health and wellbeing – so you should not have any hesitation in fixing the issue. Potential problems include the following: Cough.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

Baking soda is abrasive, which, when used in large quantities, will cause the drain more damage. Additionally, the acidic nature of vinegar can eat away rubber and metal, damaging the plumbing. As these products break down the pipe and connectors in the plumbing in your home, it will cause more clogs over time.

Will bleach fix a smelly drain?

To use bleach to kill odor-causing bacteria, first, fill your sink with hot water. Then, add about one cup of regular household bleach to the sink. After you've added the bleach, allow the sink to drain. Repeat the process until the drain smells more like bleach than anything else.

How to tell if a p-trap is dry?

Identifying a Dry P-Trap

Here are the signs to look out for: Persistent sewer gas odours near sinks or floor drains. Drains that gurgle or make unusual sounds. Infrequently used fixtures, such as guest bathrooms or utility sinks, are familiar places for dry P-traps.

What does foul smelling drainage mean?

Slightly colored drainage or discharge that changes color may be a sign of an infection. Odor: Most of the time, smell is not a good indicator of an infection. However, a foul or strong odor from a wound may indicate an infection, and the person should see a doctor.

How to remove sewer smell?

You can also add a mixture of baking soda and vinegar along with hot water to help get rid of the odor. Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain followed by one cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about 10 to 15 mins and flush with hot water. After this you should have an odorless clean drain!

Why does my drain smell like something died?

A build-up of organic matter can include small food particles, grease, hair and soap scum from bathroom and kitchen sinks or showers – as mentioned these small particles are not always enough to cause a blockage however they can become stuck to the inside of the pipes they will then begin to rot and creates gas as a by ...

What is a natural cleaner for smelly drains?

Vinegar contains acid which neutralizes odor, cuts through grease, and helps disinfect. By heating up (but not boiling) four cups of vinegar, pouring half down the drain, running the water for a minute, and then pouring the remaining vinegar down the drain, you can help eliminate smells and smaller clogs.

Why does my drainage smell so bad?

A: The common causes of smelly drains or sinks are trapped food blockages, clogs and bacteria build-up, pipework and plumbing errors, and collapsed drains. Q: Why do drains sometimes smell like rotten eggs?

Can you pour boiling water down the drain?

Pouring boiling water is quite risky as it might lead to a steam burn or scalding. Another thing to keep in mind is what type of material you are pouring in into. If you have a porcelain sink, it is likely to crack due to the heat. All in all, pouring boiling water down your drain will only cause issues down the road.

What is the best thing for smelly drains?

How to stop the smell
  • Carefully pour half a cup of baking soda down the plughole.
  • Pour one cup of vinegar down the plughole after the baking soda.
  • Let the solution foam up; leave it for an hour or more to work.
  • Pour hot boiling water down the sink after an hour to flush it through.

Is bleach or vinegar better for drains?

Drain Line Material

Chlorine bleach can quickly eat away at not only the line but the glue and cement joining the line to the fittings and the condensation pan. If your drain line is PVC, stick to white distilled vinegar for clearing clogs and debris, particularly during winter.

What happens if you put too much baking soda down the drain?

If you put too much baking soda down a drain onto a clog, it can sit on the clog and become a solid mass as it is subjected to more and more water. This will make the block worse and even harder to remove.

Is boiling water bad for pipes?

Chemical cleaners can eat away at your pipes, and boiling water can melt important components. Over time, this damage can lead to leaks and expensive plumbing repairs.

What is the best homemade drain cleaner?

Baking Soda + Vinegar
  • Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar down drain.
  • Plug drain and let sit for one hour.
  • Then, pour a pot of boiling water down drain. Repeat if necessary.

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.

Who is responsible for smelly drains?

Generally speaking, you're usually responsible for drains inside the boundaries of your property, while the sewerage company is responsible for lateral drains, which are usually outside of property boundaries, and sewers. Although most sewers are now publicly owned, there are still some private or unadopted sewers.

Why do drains smell worse at night?

The night air becomes heavy with moisture keeping smells close to the ground so isuspect that the septic fumes coming from the drain air vent pipe on your water drain / waste system in staying near ground level.

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