Ways to Eliminate Drain Odors

Have you ever gone into your kitchen only to detect a foul smell? You start searching—it’s not the garbage can, and the nasty odor isn’t coming from the fridge. No, the cause appears to be a stinky kitchen drain. Thankfully, with a little investigating and drain-cleaning efforts, you can eliminate that annoying smell and say hello to freshness!

What Causes a Stinky Drain?

Your sink can stink for many reasons. Determining the cause is the best way to begin freshening up your kitchen and preventing a recurrence. The most frequent offenders include:

• Bacteria: A kitchen drain lined with food particles, grease buildup and other sludge is a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that create unpleasant odors as they feed.
• Clogged drain: Obstructed pipes can lead to stagnant water and bacteria growth, making the smell worse.
• Sewer gases: If the P-trap below the sink dries out, sewer gases may waft from the drain, creating a lingering sewer smell. This frequently is found in seldom-used plumbing fixtures
• Plumbing mistakes: From DIY problems to missing traps or drain vents, plumbing issues can allow nasty smells to penetrate your living space.

How to Clean a Stinky Drain

Here are four reliable ways to banish smelly drain odors:

• Hot water: Heat a mixture of water and vinegar until it nearly boils and gradually pour it into the drain. The hot water clears out the gunk and vinegar negates the odor.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Start with the hot water method outlined above. If it’s inadequate, put a cup of baking soda in the drain and follow that with two cups of hot vinegar. Watch it fizz and let the solution work for an hour. Then, flush the drain with more hot water to get rid of stubborn gunk and bacteria.
• P-trap cleaning: Don your safety gloves and position a bucket under the P-trap. Loosen the pipe by hand or with a wrench, if needed, and set it aside. Empty the contents into the trash, flush any leftovers out of the pipe and reattach your sink’s plumbing.
• A note on bleach: Although bleach is a powerful antibacterial agent, bleach is not ideal for cleaning drains. It can harm your pipes and potentially create toxic gases, so avoid the use of bleach in this circumstance.

Tips for Pleasant-Smelling Drains

It’s simple to keep foul-smelling drains at bay with a little elbow grease. Here’s what we encourage:

• Run your garbage disposal and rinse with cold water for 20 seconds after grinding up food to thoroughly flush particles down the pipes.
• Clean the drain weekly with a gallon of near-boiling water to protect against the buildup of odor-causing debris.
• Run water through seldom-used sinks to keep the P-trap filled. For extra protection, put a little mineral oil in the drain, because that slows evaporation.
• Sprinkle a handful of baking soda into the drain and then pour hot water to absorb and counteract odors.
• Occasionally, follow up the baking soda process with a cup of white vinegar for a even greater clean. Let it sit for half an hour, then rinse the drain completely with hot water.
• Cut up lemon or orange peels to leave your sink smelling citrus-fresh.
• Utilize enzyme cleaners to prevent the buildup of odor-causing residue without resorting to the use of harsh chemicals.
• Hire a specialist to examine your plumbing occasionally. This can help catch odor-causing issues before they become trouble.
• Don’t ever put grease and other food items into the drain that can easily clog or decompose, such as coffee grounds and fibrous vegetables.
• Try using mesh strainers to catch food debris and other debris before they end up in drain. Then, empty the strainers into the trash to keep your pipes flowing properly and smelling fresh.
• Hire professional drain cleaning to ensure a thorough job. Licensed plumbers have the tools and skill to take care of tough clogs and smelly problems. In addition, they can supply you with personalized advice specific to your household’s plumbing system.

Call for Expert Drain Cleaning in the U.S. with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If your attempts to clean the foul-smelling kitchen drain don’t work, it’s time to call in the pros. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing delivers fast, long-lasting plumbing solutions in the U.S., including professional drain cleaning. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee means we’re focused on your complete happiness.

So, the next time your smelly drains make you want to gag, go with the knowledgeable pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Schedule your appointment by phoning 866-397-3787 today!