An unpleasant odor coming from the drains can cause many health problems. Whether this foul odor is coming from the shower drain or the sink drain, this needs to be addressed as soon as possible. If you know what causes the smelly drain, you can prevent the problem from getting serious. In this blog post, we will discuss the root causes of a smelly shower or sink drain, how to get rid of the smell, and when to call a professional plumber, such as Parzival Plumbing, for a smelly shower drain in Orange County.
Common Causes of a Smelly Drain
Clogged Pipe
A clogged pipe is a very common cause of a smelly drain. A pipe gets clogged due to the accumulation of food residue, hair, soap scum, and other debris. They collectively build a stubborn clog inside the pipe, which causes a foul odor from the drain.
Dry Traps
A U-shaped pipe under the fixture or sink is very important for preventing sewer gases from escaping. This pipe contains water, which prevents sewer gases from entering the home. When this pipe gets dry or blocked, it no longer prevents gases from escaping and leads to foul odor.
Bacteria Buildup
Your smelly sink drain is the perfect spot for the bacteria to grow. Drains have leftover food particles, soap scum, and hair, which are the food for bacteria. They feed on such materials and grow in numbers. This decomposing of food residues leads to an unpleasant odor.
Clogged Vent Pipe
If you have noticed foul odors in your kitchen sink or the bathroom sink, the reason behind this could be a clogged vent pipe. If any debris clogs the vent drain, then the water starts collecting in the sink. This standing water is the main reason for the awful smell due to bacterial growth.
What Happens If You Ignore Drain Smells?
The most common risk associated with unpleasant drain odor is hidden water damage. A leak behind the wall or under the floor can lead to the buildup of moisture. This moisture can result in mold growth and can even damage the floor. A clogged drain or foul smell coming from the drain indicates that wastewater is not draining properly. This can lead to expensive repairs.
The drain smell is not just annoying, but also harms health. Sewer gases contain harmful gases like ammonia and methane. long -term exposure to such gases can cause severe headaches and can affect your health very badly. All such issues can be prevented by early detection. When you notice such a smell, immediately contact Parzival Plumbing for a smelly shower drain cleaning in Costa Mesa.
How to Get Rid of Drain Odors?
Use a Plunger
A plunger or a drain snake can solve the clogged pipe issue. But this is only useful when there is a minor clog in the pipe.
Hot Water
If you have come through a clogged drain, the first DIY you can try is pouring hot water down the drain. The hot water can melt down the buildup and result in proper drainage.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are a good drain cleaner for smelly sink. Pour baking soda, followed by vinegar. The reaction between them can dissolve the clog.
P-Trap Cleaning
Cleaning of the P-trap is very important as it prevents sewer gases from escaping into your home. Wear gloves and keep a bucket near you. Take out the gunk from the trap.
Drain Vent Cleaning
A clogged vent can also cause an unpleasant odor from the sink drain. Contact a skilled plumber for smelly sink drain cleaning in Westside Costa Mesa, who can remove dust and leaves from the vent pipe.
When to Call a Professional for Drain Cleaning?
Sometimes DIY does not work, especially when the situation is worse. Moreover, sewer gases also possess health risk. In such a scenario, hiring an experienced plumber is preferable. If the bad odor persists, and it doesn’t go away after many attempts of using drain cleaner for smelly sink, contact Parzival Plumbing. Our plumber uses advanced methods to inspect your drain, such as video sewer inspection, and provides long-lasting solutions like hydro jet drain cleaning to restore drainage. Early detection always prevents costly repairs.
At Parzival Plumbing, we not only quickly detect the exact plumbing issue but also do every job with accuracy. If you are searching for a “smelly drains shower” solution, your search ends here. We provide same-day plumbing services so that you don’t have to wait for long.
Final Thoughts
Sewer gases can make an unpleasant environment in your home, which can be very irritating. Thus, immediate solutions are needed to get rid of such situations. DIYs can quickly solve the issue of a clogged drain, which is responsible for foul smells. However, DIYs only work if the clogs are minor. For more stubborn clogs, you need professional plumbing services. Our licensed plumbers at Parzival Plumbing quickly detect the exact source of the smelly drains in your home and provide a long-lasting solution for the smelly shower drain in South Coast Metro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does baking soda and vinegar really fix a smelly drain?
A reaction of baking soda and vinegar can help to clear minor clogs in the drain. Clogs are responsible for foul smells coming from the drain.
Can I use chemical drain cleaner for a smelly sink drain?
Chemical drain cleaners do not provide long-lasting solutions. Clogs may appear again in the future. Moreover, harsh chemical drain cleaners can cause severe damage to the pipe.
Do you provide drain inspection services?
Yes. Our professional plumbers have the tools and techniques to find the problem in your drain. We have methods such as camera sewer inspection and hydro jet drain cleaning to remove tough blockages.
Do you provide same-day plumbing services for drain cleaning?
Yes. We are in your neighborhood and just a call away. Our plumbers arrive on-site right away to provide same-day plumbing services for drain cleaning in Orange County.
How often do drains need to be cleaned?
You can clean your drains with hot water or baking soda and vinegar every week. When it comes to deep cleaning, it is recommended to do it once a month.
