Have you ever walked into your bathroom or kitchen and been hit with a foul smell from your drains? It’s an unpleasant experience that many of us have had to deal overcome. The good news is that smelly drains are a common problem and are fixable with a few simple steps.

In this article, we’ll share some easy and effective methods for cleaning smelly drains and eliminating those unpleasant odours. Whether you’re dealing with a clogged kitchen sink or a musty bathroom drain, we’ve got you covered. 

Let’s dive in and learn how to clean smelly drains!

Common Causes of Stinky Drain Smells

Stinky drains occur in many households. The unpleasant odour can make your home feel unclean and unwelcoming, especially if it’s a sewer smell or you have a smelly bathroom. It’s often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, but these are a few common culprits:

Food Buildup

One of the most common causes of smelly drains is a buildup of food scraps in the kitchen sink. Over time, small bits of food can accumulate in the drain, causing a bad smell. 

To prevent this, scrape your dishes and dispose of any excess food in the garbage disposal before washing them in the sink. It also helps to have a drain plug in place when washing dishes to avoid food scraps falling down.

Fats, Oils, and Grease

Pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain can also cause unpleasant smells. These substances can solidify in the pipes, causing a clogged and blocked drain that can trap food particles and other debris, leading to bad smells. 

To avoid this, don’t pour grease, fats, and oils down your kitchen sink drain. Always dispose of them in a container with a lid and into the garbage disposal.

Hair and Soap Scum

In your shower drain, hair and soap scum can build up and cause unpleasant smells. Hair can easily become tangled in your drain pipes, trapping scum and other debris. Regularly cleaning your shower drains and using a hair catcher can help prevent this.

Sewer Gas

Another cause of stinky drain smells is sewer gases. Sewer gas results from decomposing organic matter in the sewer system and can leak into your home through the drains. 

While it might be unpleasant to your nose, these fumes can also prove a serious health hazard, so it’s essential to have a professional plumber inspect your pipes if you suspect sewer gasses are causing the bad smell.

How to Clean a Smelly Drain Yourself

While it may seem like a complex problem to tackle, you can take a few easy steps to clean a smelly drain before calling on a professional plumber.

1. Remove visible debris

Start by removing any visible debris from the sink drain. You can do this using a pair of gloves and a small tool, such as pliers or tweezers, to reach into the drain and pull out any hair or other remaining debris.

2. Run boiling water down the drain

After removing visible debris, pour boiling water down the drain to help loosen and flush away any remaining organic matter. The boiling water can also help eliminate any bacteria causing the smelly drain.

3. Use baking soda and vinegar

If boiling water alone doesn’t do the trick, you can combine a vinegar and baking soda mixture to help break down and remove any remaining organic matter. 

Start by pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes, then flush the drain with hot water.

4. Try a commercial drain cleaner

You can use commercial drain cleaners if the above methods don’t work. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and use caution when working with these chemicals in your smelly bathroom drains and kitchen drain pipe.

5. Prevent future foul odour

Make the unpleasant smell of your piping system a thing of the past by cleaning drains regularly. 

Using the above methods of avoiding pouring grease or oil down the kitchen drain and using a hair catcher to prevent hair and other debris from going down the bathroom sink can mean the difference between having a smelly drain problem and your drains offering a fresh aroma.

Need Professional Help Cleaning Your Smelly Drains?

If you’ve tried the above steps and are still experiencing issues, it’s time to contact your local plumbing service. 

Here are some reasons why you may need professional help cleaning your smelly drains:

  • Proper diagnosis: A plumber has the experience and tools to diagnose the root cause of your drain smells. We can determine whether the problem is due to a clogged drain, a damaged pipe, or another issue that requires a specific solution.
  • Practical solutions: Plumbers can access high-quality products and equipment beyond white vinegar or commercial cleaners, effectively removing buildup and eliminating odours. We can also use methods such as hydro-jetting to blast away clogs and bacteria in a blocked drain quickly, leaving your drains smelling clean and fresh.
  • Prevention: A professional drain cleaning service can also provide preventative maintenance to prevent smelly drains and keep them running smoothly. This may include regular inspections and cleanings, as well as recommendations for adequately caring for your drains between visits.
  • Safety: Attempting to clean your drains on your own can be dangerous if you’re unfamiliar with plumbing and drain maintenance techniques. A plumber can ensure the job is done safely and effectively without causing pipe damage or risking your health.

If you’re experiencing smelly drains, it’s best to seek the help of Canberra Plumbing & Drains, who understand your plumbing system and what it takes to rid the musty odour permeating your home or business.

Get in Touch With Canberra Drains & Plumbing Today – Don’t Delay!

If you’re dealing with smelly drains or other plumbing issues in Canberra, don’t delay; get in touch with Canberra Drains & Plumbing today! Our team of experienced professionals is here to help diagnose and solve any smelly drain issue you may face.

We use the latest equipment and techniques to provide effective solutions that will keep your plumbing system running smoothly and prevent future smelly drain issues from arising. Plus, we’re committed to providing exceptional customer service, so you can trust us to do the job right the first time.

Don’t let plumbing problems linger, as they can quickly escalate and cause more damage to your home or business. Contact Canberra Drains & Plumbing today to schedule an appointment or request a quote. We’re here to help and look forward to hearing from you!