Clean a Smelly Sink

So what Causes a Sink Smell Unpleasant and its Solutions?

Depending on the structure of your plumbing system, there could be various conditions leading to the unpleasant odor. Sinks are notorious for developing unpleasant smells because various things can go wrong inside the pipes. The most common causes of stinky sinks include:

Bacteria buildup in the Pipes

Sinks see a lot of waste every day from food particles, grease, and shaving cream to hair and soapy scum. This material may not be entirely washed out and may decompose within the pipework that causes a bad odor.

Solution: To prevent odors from making your sinks smelly, be sure to catch any food residue to avoid it washing down the pipes. It is recommended not to pour fat or oil down your sink as this can result in a significant build-up within the pipework. Hair and soap scum in bath and shower drains are also a problem, causing numerous blockages. To prevent this, use a sink strainer to catch any hair and soap and to avoid being washed away into the pipework. Remove drain covers and try to pull out leftovers as soon as possible. It helps to clear drains almost immediately. It is also advisable to maintain your drain by running hot water at the end of each day just to ensure everything is running smoothly. Moreover, cleaning your drains weekly basis should be done to maintain the health of your drainage system.

And if the smell is still coming then, check for more critical issues, such as a leak or blockage.

Clogged Vent Pipes

A vent pipe is used in the plumbing system of the home or business to circulate air and allow toxic gases to diffuse. These pipes lead up and out of the roof, where it can often become clogged with debris, plants, bird nests, and snow. A clogged vent pipe may result in drains that smell bad.

Solutions: First, climb the roof and check if the vent opening is blocked with leaves and other debris. If it doesn’t solve, calling a professional plumbing company will help to inspect vent lines. The plumbers have several options they can use to resolve the problem.

Issues with Sewer Line

If the smell from your plumbing is coming from sinks but is not localized to just one, you may have sewage line issues. If all your wastewater eventually drains to the same place, then runoff from your sink will be sharing a pipe with sewage down the line. Two main plumbing elements help keep the sewer gases from coming up out of your drain- the P trap and the vent and a malfunction with either one can cause sewer gases to leak into your sink. However, such a break somewhere in your sewage line or the sewage itself being backed up can cause your sink to smell unpleasant.

Solution: In this case, only a professional plumber with the right tools and experience will be able to repair safely.

Dried up P-Traps

A P-trap is a U-shaped portion of a pipe that contains water and acts as a seal for the pipe. One common reason your sink smells bad is a dried p trap. This seal keeps sewer gas from entering the drain and instead directs it to the ventilation system, allowing sewer gases to exit your home safely. However, P-traps are known to dry up sometimes due to a leak in the pipe, a blockage in the p-trap, siphoning water out from the pipe, and disuse of the waste drain. If a P-trap dries up, then this will permit sewer gas that is found inside the waste pipes to leak out of the homes, causing that smelly odor that you are trying to get rid of.

Solution: Attempt to run the tap for a few minutes that have not been recently used. This flow of water should refill the P-trap, and hopefully, will eliminate the smell of sewer gas and bacteria. Directly pouring some water into the dried-up P-trap will also most likely dry up and evaporate. You can repeat the process every time if this happens.

Misuse of Garbage Disposal

There is a common misconception that a garbage disposal is a garbage bucket and this just can’t be the main culprit that can cause a sink odor. But improper use of the garbage disposal can cause a clog and break the garbage disposal resulting in a sink that smells bad.

Solution: Avoid putting anything down the garbage disposal that doesn’t belong that includes trash, food particles, bones, tissue paper, and harsh chemicals. Deodorize garbage disposal with a drain regularly using hot water and lemon or vinegar, baking soda, and hot water.

When is the time to Call a Professional Plumber in Toronto?

The plumbing in your house is something that many people take for granted when it’s working, but it can quickly cause problems if your plumbing system is having issues. Sometimes when people spot a leak or tool that needs repair they want to try it on their own without calling a professional, but the truth is that when it comes to plumbing, there are truly some tasks that are best left to the professionals.

Your pipes handle everything that goes down the drain like soap residue, hair, food residue and other items can build up and create a place where mold or other unpleasant things can grow. When that happens you will probably notice it from the smell, and that’s the time to call a plumber to seek out where the problem is. These experts can also help you find out if there is any mold so you can get it properly cleaned before it causes plumbing issues.

However, smelly sinks are common across Toronto. Sometimes, they are preventable and you can solve the problem with some above simple cleaning measures. But in other cases that are beyond our control, smelly sinks can indicate a larger problem that ought to be inspected by a qualified plumber. The Everest Drain & Plumbing team is available to help identify the cause and create the solution to smelly drains. Contact us today and let us help improve your home’s plumbing system.