Causes of a Smelly Sink Drain & How You Can Fix It

A smelly sink drain is not something you encounter frequently, but the day you’re met with one, packing your bags and running for the hills feels like a tempting decision. At some point, you’re practically wishing you could donate your nose and olfactory neurons. The sheer horror of facing a stinking shower drain or bathroom sink is something we’d all like to pass up on. 

But then, your smelly sink drain isn’t gonna fix itself, is it?

Drains in your kitchen and washrooms can begin to smell awful due to several reasons. Primary among them is the accumulation of materials, which, when left unattended, turns into a breeding ground for microorganisms. Fixing such an issue requires the application of simple remedies, drain cleaners, and periodic cleaning. In this guide, we’ll help you figure out how!

Causes of Odors in Bathroom Sink Drains

Your bathroom sink drain can stench for several reasons. A quick inspection will tell you which one of these is causing the problem.

Lodged Waste

Washrooms and showers are used daily. Skin and body products, hair, and foam are some of the most common things that contribute to the accumulation of debris at the drainage site of the strainer. Moreover, hair also gets tangled up in it. Over time, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. As bacteria set up camp in these spots, they form a biofilm. The biofilm harbors disease-causing microorganisms and releases a foul smell, making your drains stench.

 Faulty Vent Pipes

Inadequate ventilation can prevent sewer gases from being released outside your home. If leaves or bird nests end up choking the vent pipes, the sewer gas leaks into your home and makes it reek. 

Unused P-Traps

Water in P-traps can evaporate when certain drains are not used regularly. This can also cause gases from the sewer to pass through them into your bathroom. Moreover, if the overall plumbing system connecting your washroom and sewer system isn’t in good condition, that can contribute to smelly odors, too.

Step-by-Step Remedies to Eliminate Drain Odors

While odor problems can be a pain, a powerful, smelly bathroom sink drain remedy can eliminate them in a matter of a few minutes. Follow these steps when you find the drains in your bathroom acting up:

Step 1: Dislodge Waste Manually

There’s no better fix than nipping a problem in the bud. Use an auger or find a coat hanger and try to dislodge the hair and debris stuck to the strainer in your bathroom. Retrieve as much of the visible waste materials as you can.

Step 2: Use a Solution

Once the shower debris has been picked out, use a homemade solution and pour it down the drain. Opt for either of these:

• Baking soda & vinegar: Cleaning agents that act on waste to break it down

• Hot water: Helps dislodge debris by breaking it down

Step 3: Let The Solution Rest

Whichever solution you opt for, allow it to rest in the drains and pipes for 5-10 minutes. This allows the chemical reaction to work effectively on existing blockages. 

Step 4: Pick a Drain Cleaner

In case the clog persists, opt for a drain cleaner that can help break down lodged waste in organic ways. For example, Dr. Pooper’s Drain Cleaner Maintenance solution clears out stubborn sludge while also tackling odor. It's safe for your bathrooms as well as kitchens and is non-toxic for children and pets, too.

Step 5: Introduce Air Fresheners

Make it a habit to use white vinegar, or a baking soda and lemon juice solution to clean the surfaces of your washroom and sinks. You can also use tea tree essential oils or place citrus fruits in water inside the washroom to eliminate mild odor.

The key is keeping an eye out for possible accumulation of debris in the strainer and including natural and fragrant cleaning agents for maintenance.

Hidden Areas People Forget to Clean

No one really “enjoys” cleaning the washroom. But if you’re doing it, better get it right once than miss spots and do it over again. Certain hidden areas get frequently ignored in cleaning rounds:

• Paper & toothbrush holders: Use warm water & elbow grease to wipe them down.

• Outside of the toilet bowl: Scrub them with dishwashing soap.

• Vents in the bathroom: Vacuum or wipe them down dry frequently.

• Big receptacles in the vanity unit: Use dishwashing soap and a sponge to get rid of stickiness. 

• Underside of sinks: A damp rag and a natural cleaning agent will do the trick.

Make these areas a part of your periodic cleaning routines. It can help avoid the accumulation of dirt, mold build-up, or multiplication of bacteria, and retain overall hygiene in your washrooms.

Things To Do If the Smell Keeps Coming Back

If the stench in your bathroom keeps returning, it's a sign that the temporary solutions can’t take you far. Take precautions and consistently practice cleanliness to prevent your bathroom drains and shower spaces from smelling.

• Practice healthy draining habits

Be careful about what you push down your bathroom plumbing. Big and solid materials can get stuck, decompose, and contribute to odor.

• Manage moisture and humidity

Curb the growth of mould in your washroom. Keep a dehumidifier. Ensure the shower areas are dry post-use. 

• Commit to monthly cleaning

Maintain overall cleanliness and hygiene in your washroom by either cleaning it yourself or calling in a service for a thorough inspection.

• Dispose of garbage properly

Throw out garbage before it overflows. Keep trash cans clean to prevent decomposition of waste matter or debris, which could contribute to foul smells.

Conclusion

Odor-causing gases in washrooms can lead to respiratory problems when left unattended. If a smelly sink drain makes you want to ignore the problem altogether, think again. Addressing the issue early on ensures a stench-free home as well as protects your family from potential diseases. Given the stakes, Dr. Pooper’s Toilet Bowl and Septic Cleaner can act quickly on lodged debris in the drain and neutralize the odor choking up your bathroom. In a couple of minutes, you’re able to bring in fragrances and restore the freshness in your bathroom!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. How to get rid of smelly drains in the bathroom?

Use an auger to retrieve the debris stuck in your drain, and follow it up with a homemade cleaning solution to get rid of the smell.

2. Why does my drain smell?

Drains in your washroom or shower can smell due to bacterial decomposition of waste stuck to the strainers.

3. What can I pour down the drain to stop the smell?

A baking soda and vinegar solution can help combat smell, while hot water can also help get rid of the source of odor.

4. How do I stop my bathroom from smelling like a sewer?

Use cleaning agents to unclog waste and keep your vents clean to promote free flow of air. Moreover, use solutions like camphor, tea tree oil, and citrus fruits to combat foul smell.

5. Does pouring bleach down the drain get rid of the smell?

While pouring bleach down the drain can help get rid of the smell, it can also corrode the pipes in your home and is advised against.

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