There’s nothing worse than when you’re cleaning your home, and you notice a foul odor emitting from your sinks or drains. For many Renton homeowners, the inside of a drain is hard to reach and cleaning a drain isn’t as simple as just running hot water down it. Bad smelling drains can also be an indicator of a more serious plumbing issue.
Most often, stinky drains can be easily fixed by cleaning out your drains. Just like the other surfaces in your home, a deep cleaning is required to ensure the continued health of your drains. Here are some of the most common causes of foul smelling drains.
Clogged vent pipes
Plumbing vent pipes are vertical pipes that are connected to your drain pipes and they usually run up through the roof. The main function of a vent pipe is to carry odors and gas away from your home and to bring fresh air into your plumbing system. Allowing fresh air into the drains lets the water flow more smoothly inside, and if a clog develops, that can cause a bad smell to occur.
Bacteria and other build upÂ
Bad drain smells usually point to bacteria growth, and if the drain is running slowly, then that likely means there is some kind of build up. When you think about the many things we put down our drains, it comes as no surprise that a foul odor can occur. If you allow things like food, hair, or grease to go down the drain, these items can gunk up your pipes and cause buildup or clogs. The longer the buildup is allowed to remain in your drains, the more time odor causing bacteria has to grow and thrive. Drains are already dark and damp places, and when you introduce food waste and grease, it becomes the perfect environment for bacteria.Â
Dry P-Trap
Sometimes if your drain hasn’t been used in awhile, that can also cause bad odors. P-traps are a curved section of pipe that are attached to a drain line. Their function is to block any gasses from coming up through sewer and emanating from the drains. If the drain is not used, any water inside the P-trap slowly evaporates and it allows the sewer smell to escape into your home. While these are common reasons for why your drains might smell, it’s always good to get an expert opinion just in case. Foul smelling drains can also be caused by sewer pipe ruptures or leaks and you’ll need professional assistance to take care of those issues.
Trusted Plumbing & Heating offer drain cleaning services and sewer repairs in Renton and throughout Western Washington. The next time you smell something unpleasant coming from your drains, call Trusted Plumbing & Heating ASAP.