Why Is Your Plumbing Smelly?

A reliable plumbing system is critical for a comfortable and efficiently running home. This system ensures smooth water flow and proper waste disposal. You cannot afford to have your plumbing system fail abruptly. And a significant part of preventing plumbing failure is to understand the signs of potential problems before they become worse.

Among the easily noticeable indicators of potential problems are stinky odors from the plumbing. Read on to discover some plumbing smells, their causes, and their solutions.

Blocked Drains                                                     

If you notice sewer-like odors coming from your drain, that could indicate a blockage. The drain carries wastewater away from your home. When the drain is clogged, wastewater will have restricted passage and may emit a foul smell.

Numerous issues may cause a plumbing drain blockage. For example, tree roots can grow in small cracks in the drainpipes, blocking water passage. Furthermore, putting solid items such as food, grease, and other debris down the sink can cause the drainage system to clog. Paper towels, soap, wipes, and feminine products down the toilet instead of the trashcan are another possible cause. These items aren’t biodegradable and block the wastewater path.

Besides the foul smell, you can tell if you have blocked drains if you notice flooding and sewer backup. Don't attempt to unclog the drains yourself; you may cause further damage. Instead, let a professional plumbing contractor inspect the drains to identify the exact location of the blockage and recommend the appropriate solution.

Sulfur Smell

If you notice a rotten egg-like smell, that may indicate sulfur gas in your home. This sulfur gas comes from bacteria at the bottom of drains and pipes. The bacteria break down decaying matter, producing the sulfurous odor that enters your home through the plumbing system.

You will likely notice the smell whenever you run hot water, which heats the sulfide and causes it to escape into your home. You can eliminate this smell by cleaning the drains and pipes.

The best way to do this is to pour a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water down the drain quickly, followed by gallons of boiling water. However, this is a short-term solution, and the issue will likely recur. Therefore, leave the cleaning to professionals for comprehensive work.

Dirty Garbage Disposal

Sometimes the culprit for the stinky plumbing system is nothing to panic about. The issue may mean that you need to clean your garbage disposal. If the stinky smell comes from the kitchen sink, check the garbage disposal for bits of food that may have lodged in the blades or drain. The smell could be because these food scraps are starting to decompose.

To eliminate the smell, run cold water down the drain. You may also use ice cubes to help clear the debris from the blades. Additionally, add citrus peels to the disposal for natural cleaning. However, if the smell persists, it could indicate a deeper problem with your garbage disposal. And in that case, it would be best to let a plumbing contractor examine it for you.

Dry P-Traps

The p-trap is the curved plumbing pipe under your sink and other drainage points. The component helps prevent sewer gas from escaping through the drainpipe.

If a p-trap dries up, it cannot trap air and gases, so that you may notice an unpleasant smell coming from the sink or other drainage points. P-trap is likely to dry if you have not used your sink for a long time. To fix the issue, pour water down your sink to refill the p-trap and eliminate the smell.

Above are some of the common causes of stinky plumbing and possible solutions. Contact a reliable plumbing contractor as soon as you notice the smell. The expert will identify the underlying cause and apply the most suitable solution for the problem.

AZ Emergency Plumbing is your trusted contractor for all plumbing issues, including smelly drains and pipes. Contact us for a consultation.