Have you noticed a bad odour coming from your drains? Perhaps when you empty your sink you notice a strange smell? If this is the case, it may be due to several reasons.

Here are a few reasons your drain may smell:

Bacteria build-up

We put our drains through a lot every day. Think about how much food waste and liquid gets put down your kitchen drain or how much dirt gets washed down your shower drain. Over time, this collects in your drain pipes and a smell will shortly follow. If you’ve noticed a bad smell, it may be time to get your drain cleaned out.

Dry P trap

If you haven’t used your drain in a little while, it may just mean that your P trap has dried out. A P trap holds a small volume of water at the bottom of a curve to prevent sewer gases from entering your home. If you’re noticing a funny smell, it may just mean that the P trap isn’t doing its job.

Clogged vent pipes

There is a network of vent pipes that are connected to your drain pipes which are used to bring fresh air in and allow wastewater gas and odour to escape. This is the drain-waste-vent (DWV) system. If these get clogged, it can cause a few issues, and you’ll likely notice a bad smell. If you’re missing vent pipes, you’ll also notice this problem.

Grease

A common problem in the kitchen is a build-up of grease. If fat or grease gets stuck in your kitchen sink, you may notice a rotten egg or mould smell as it congeals. You should avoid putting oil or fat down your drain as much as possible. You can solve this problem by putting two teaspoons of baking soda down the drain along with vinegar and a pot of boiling water. Whatever is sat in the drain will get sorted by this combination.

If you don’t think any of these issues are what is causing the smell in your drain, contact a drainage specialist to help you find the problem. If you’re in need of drain repair and maintenance in Cornwall or Devon, get in touch with Aqua Rod South West today. We will be happy to advise you on how to solve any issues you may have with your drains. Call us today on 01209 861099.

Published by: David Parkes on: January 27th 2022