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Sewage smell coming from any of your drains is never a good sign. In addition to being unpleasant, the smell is almost always a sign that there is something wrong with your drainage systems.
If you are experiencing consistent sewage smell from one or more of your drains, you will want to have a licensed plumber inspect your sewer before it leads to more costly damage.
Common Issues That Can Cause A Drain To Smell
Fortunately, most common causes for sewage smell can be resolved easily at home with DIY ingredients. If you can identify and successfully treat the problem, you may not need to call in a professional to assist you.
Dry Trap
A dry water trap, also known as P-trap, is one of the most common issues for sewage smell coming out of your drain. P-traps are designed to hold water at all times in order to prevent sewage smells from flowing into your home.
When a water trap is dry, gasses like hydrogen sulfide can flow into your bathrooms and kitchen. In addition to being stinky, they can even be dangerous for your health.
Here are some ways to potentially fix a dry P-trap:
⦁ If the smell is coming from a u-shaped P-trap underneath a sink, try running water down the drain for a few moments. If this is a sink that you rarely use, the water in the P-trap may have evaporated.
⦁ When dealing with a smelly floor drain, try pouring a bucket of water down the drain. If the water in the trap had evaporated, this should be enough to refill it.
⦁ Check if there are any leaks in the P-trap. If the water in the P-trap is leaking, you will want to call an experienced plumber who can fix your ⦁ pipe leaks.
Clogged Drain
Clogging is another common issue that can cause smelly drains. Your pipes may be clogged if your sink or bathtub is draining very slowly, which can make them very smelly.
If your clogging is not severe and you suspect it may be caused by gunk, you might be able to unclog them yourself with a homemade mix of white vinegar, baking soda, and warm water.
Follow these steps to fix a clogged drain:
⦁ Use a screwdriver to remove the drain cap.
⦁ Boil up to 10 quarts of water and let it cool down to approximately 150°F.
⦁ Pour the warm water down the drain.
⦁ Pour about one cup of white vinegar down the drain.
⦁ Pour ½ to ¾ of baking soda into the drain as soon as you finish pouring down the vinegar.
⦁ After about 2 hours, pour another 10 quarts of warm water down the drain.
⦁ If you have one, use a drain brush to clean any leftover residue.
If this does not get rid of the sewage smell after a couple of days, you may be dealing with a clogged sewer line. If that’s the case, you will need the help of professional sewer line cleaners who can help you unclog or replace your sewer line.
Bacteria In Drain
Another cause for a smelly drain may be bacteria buildup in your pipes. Also referred to as “biofilm,” this sticky substance can accumulate on your pipes for years.
The good news is that you can likely get rid of the biofilm in your pipes by using the 7-step DIY method described above.
If you are unable to get rid of the sewer smell coming from your drains, you should reach out to a professional plumbing service that can help you identify the root cause of the smell. Though the smell itself can be only a minor inconvenience, it is often a symptom of a larger issue that may become very costly if left untreated.
Contact a plumbing service right away if you are unable to get rid of the sewage smell from any of your drains.
