Do your drains smell bad? Does it make you gag when you are near your kitchen or bathroom sink? Identifying the underlying reasons behind the odors can help you pick the right sort of treatment.
Most of the ways we discuss below are DIY and do not entail heavy costs. Contrary to popular belief, professional cleaning and plumbing services are also not expensive. In reality, many professional plumbing companies offer affordable services with noticeable results. Here are the common causes of drain odors in the house.
Common Causes of Drain Odor
Plumbing Faults
Sometimes, plumbers forget to install sewage vents and/or drain pipes in the plumbing lines. This reduces the necessary water trap level and leads to the production of harsh smells. This is a common mistake that does not occur often.
Molds
Molds grow in dark and damp parts of the house. So, it is valid to assume that the space under the kitchen or bathroom sink can become subject to mold growth. They produce musky and disgusting smells that make you want to crawl out of your house.
Sewage
Sewage decomposition is a natural source of noxious gases and fumes. Moreover, these gases can flow up and diffuse in the house through the air when there isn’t enough water in the drain to trap them.
Getting Rid of the Drain Odor
Boiling Water Flush
Keep in mind that flushing hot water is a common technique for unclogging drains and pipes. If you have hot water at hand, then consider throwing it down the drain rather than letting it cool. Mild drain clogs and smells are treatable through hot water flushes.
And if the case persists, make hot water flushes a habit but be careful not to harm yourself in the process.
Vinegar/Baking Soda Flush
If your drain keeps a consistently unpleasant odor around the kitchen and bathroom, vinegar and baking soda flash may solve the case. Still some water in the sink before turning off the tap and put in the drain stoppage. Let the hot water settle before pouring once cup of baking soda along with two cups of vinegar. After the solution fizzes, wait one hour and consequently pull the drain plug to flush.
Bleach Flush
Bleach is a common disinfectant to kill most of the odor-causing germs and bacteria species. So, this makes bleach flushes a DIY attempt at getting rid of the drain odor. Begin by bleaching the sink with the appropriate solution.
Later, gather hot water from the tap in the sink, place the drain plug, and add one cup of bleach to create a solution. Follow that up with pulling the drain plug and repeating the process multiple times until the odor leaves the drain for good.
Contact us in Stoneham, MA
Elite Plumbing and Heating in Stoneham, MA can help you with drain odor at affordable rates and noticeable quality of service. We deploy the best personnel and utilize the most effective techniques in plumbing. Give us a call at 781-438-2997 to gain more information.