Why do bathroom drains smell

While you can go out and buy chemical cleaning products, more likely than not, you have everything you need in your kitchen to tackle your mold problem immediately.

Pour half a cup of bleach down the drain and let it sit for approximately one hour. Then boil four cups of water and pour half of it down the drain. If you have PVC plastic pipes, note the boiling water can cause major damage, so make sure you check first.

If this is the case, just use hot water from your tap. Then sprinkle a quarter-cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow that with a cup of white or cleaning vinegar. You may hear a fizzing sound from the baking soda and vinegar reacting. Wait a few minutes, then pour the rest of the boiling or hot water down the drain. Finish by running the hot water for a few minutes. This should take care of both the odor and the source. Related: 10 All-Natural Cleaning Products. If the smell coming from the drain isn't musty, the problem could be soap scum.

An easy solution is to simply clean your drain with boiling water. If this issue reoccurs, treat with boiling water weekly. If you have a sulfur odor coming from your drain, you likely have a dry P-trap. A P-trap is a P-shaped pipe designed to prevent sewer gas from entering your home by trapping a little bit of water. To check, shine a flashlight down the drain. If you see water, your P-trap isn't dry and it may be a good idea to call a plumber.

If the P-trap is dry, pour two cups of water down the drain and wait an hour. Then check to see if the water is still there. If the shower isn't frequently used or perhaps it's in a guest bathroom, pour four ounces of oil down the drain—any cooking oil you already have on hand should do. Oil evaporates at a slower rate than water does.

This should prevent the odor from coming back. Trapped hair is a major cause of shower drain clogs and odors, but it is preventable. Try brushing your hair out before washing it in the shower. Run the hot water taps to flush out the pipes of any remaining bacteria. Remember to proceed carefully if you decide to turn up the temperature of your water heater — it is easy to forget your water is hotter than average, which can lead to burns. If your water smells bad regardless if it is hot or cold, the problem might lie in your water source.

Highly concentrated amounts of hydrogen sulfide produce a strong sulfur smell in the house. Although hydrogen sulfide can be toxic in large amounts, it is usually easy to detect before it reaches harmful levels. Humans can detect the presence of hydrogen sulfide as low as. How to fix the problem: If you suspect your water source may contain hydrogen sulfide, contact your local water testing lab to have your water examined for contaminants.

Many sources of sewage smells are easy to fix at home. However, if you ever feel uncomfortable repairing a plumbing issue, do not hesitate to contact a plumbing service — professionals can quickly and efficiently solve your plumbing problems.

Some problems are beyond the expertise of the average homeowner. One issue in particular typically requires the knowledge of a plumber: a sewer backup. The most obvious sign of a sewage backup is overflowing drains. If your shower and toilet drains suddenly begin to gurgle with rancid water, you are most likely dealing with a major sewage problem.

Sewage backup often results from large-scale events such as floods, tree roots or pipe damage. Here are a few of the most common issues behind a backed-up sewer. In situations like this, your first action is to call an emergency plumber. They will be able to assess the situation and determine whether the issue is coming from tree roots or the city sewage system. Whether you are dealing with a failing water heater or a smelly laundry room, the professional team at Mr.

Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse is here to help. For almost five decades, Mr. Rooter has been the nation's most trusted provider of plumbing and repairs. We offer fair, upfront pricing estimates with no hidden overtime charges, and we are dedicated to providing the highest possible level of customer service.

For plumbing and repairs, or to troubleshoot a stubborn sewage smell, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse today. A bad smell is usually a sign something is wrong — especially if it is a sewage smell. Sources of Sewer Smell If you smell sewage in your home, your first instinct is probably to examine the toilet — that seems like the most logical source of the problem.

Odors From Your Shower Drain One of the most common sources of a sewage smell is not the toilet — if you notice a foul sewer smell in your bathroom, examine the drain in your shower. Biofilm Accumulation When we shower, we use many different products. Use a screwdriver to remove the shower drain.

Next, boil between five and 10 quarts of water. Let the water cool to degrees Fahrenheit before slowly pouring it down the shower drain. Follow the water with one cup of white distilled vinegar. Immediately after you pour the vinegar, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain.

After two hours, dump a gallon of hot water into the shower drain. Finally, run a drain brush through the drain to clear out any remaining debris. Dry P-Trap Another common cause of a sewer gas smell in the house includes a dry P-trap. Odors From Your Toilet Typically, you can fix a bad-smelling toilet with a quick clean, a few flushes and some air freshener.

Improperly Installed or Cut Vent Pipe If the walls near your toilet emit a persistent sewage smell, the cause could be an improperly installed or cut vent pipe. Broken or Loose Seal If your toilet smells like sewage, it could have a broken or loose seal. Odors From Your Sink Sometimes, a sulfur-like smell comes from your bathroom sink.

Buildup in the Overflow If you notice a sewage smell coming up from your sink, check to see if it has an overflow mechanism. Use a small bottle brush to scrub the interior of the overflow area and remove any debris. Next, mix a solution of half water and half chlorine bleach. Using the bottle brush, apply the solution to the overflow area to eliminate any lingering bacteria or odors. Odors From Your Washing Machine When you notice your house smells like sewage, the first place you look is probably the bathroom.

Improperly Installed P-Trap P-traps are not just for your bathroom — they are essential for washing machines, too. Drain Clogs Another common reason for a bad-smelling washing machine is a clog in the drain pipe. Vent Pipe Clogs As with your bathroom plumbing, washing machines need vent pipes.

Odors From Your Water If you notice a sulfur-like smell when you turn on the tap, the problem may go deeper than a clogged drain. Bacteria in Your Water Heater If the smell is only noticeable when you use hot water, the problem is most likely with your water heater.

Hydrogen Sulfide in Your Water If your water smells bad regardless if it is hot or cold, the problem might lie in your water source.

When You Need a Plumber Many sources of sewage smells are easy to fix at home. Blockages in a sanitary main: Sometimes, blockages from debris gradually accumulate in the city sanitary main. Over time, these blockages can lead to sewage seeping up through your basement or bathroom drains.

Tree root invasion: Trees or shrubs can send roots deep into the earth in search of water. Sometimes, these strong roots can crack sewer lines and cause sewage to leak out. In severe cases, the roots can create blockages in the main lines, leading to backed-up sewage. Broken or collapsed sewer lines: If you live in an older home or neighborhood, your sewage backup could be the result of cracked, broken or collapsed sewer lines. It's a common problem but one which can get out of hand.

So what causes the stench? It could be down to something as simple as a bacteria build up. This is most common in kitchens, where rotting food or cooking oil that's been flushed down the sink can get trapped in the pipes. In bathrooms, hair might be washed down the plughole, which could result in a blockage and eventually cause a smell. In addition, many drains are lacking a soil vent pipe SVP. SVPs are great because they provide another route for bad smells to go, diverting them away from your rooms - so the solution could be as easy as getting one of these installed by a plumber.

Had a shower at work. Turned into a part time plumber as the plug was blocked. What's your morning drama? Try to identify whether it's the water that smells of rotten eggs, or the whole room. Run the tap for a few minutes and see if the smell gets stronger. If it doesn't, this is going to be an easy job, as the drain is the problem - meaning something nasty is stuck down there if it's the water, however, you may need to get a plumber out , which you can usually tackle as a DIY job by following these steps Start by grabbing the plunger.

Try to get out any muck you can, which will make the next steps a lot easier. Fill a cup half full with washing up liquid and pour it down the guilty drain. If it's the shower drain, you may need to detach the drain with a screwdriver beforehand. Leave it for half an hour: this will give it enough time to break down whatever is clinging to the side of your pipes. As wonders are being worked, heat up some water to just below boiling.

When at least half an hour has passed, pour the water carefully down the drain, being careful that none splashes onto you. Run the tap again; if the water runs freely down the drain, success!