How to Clean a Smelly Drain

Have you ever walked into your kitchen only to detect a foul smell? You start investigating—it’s not the garbage can, and it is not the fridge. No, the culprit is a smelly kitchen drain. Thankfully, with some investigation and drain-cleaning efforts, you can alleviate that unpleasant odor and say hello to freshness!

Why Does My Drain Smell Bad??

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

• Bacteria: A kitchen drain clogged with food particles, grease buildup and other crud is a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that produce unpleasant odors as they feed.
• Clogged drain: Blocked pipes can lead to stagnant water and bacteria growth, making the smell worse.
• Sewer gases: If the P-trap located under the sink dries out, sewer gases may waft from the drain, triggering a lingering sewer smell. This oftentimes occurs with seldom-used plumbing fixtures
• Plumbing errors: From DIY mishaps to missing traps or drain vents, plumbing challenges can allow nasty smells to penetrate your living space.

How to Fix a Stinky Drain

Here are four tried-and-true methods to cure potent drain odors:

• Hot water: Heat a mixture of water and vinegar almost to the boiling point and slowly pour it into the drain. The hot water clears out the debris and vinegar negates the scent.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Begin with the hot water method mentioned above. If it’s insufficient, put a cup of baking soda into the drain and chase it with two cups of hot vinegar. Appreciate the fizz and leave it for an hour. Then, flush the drain with more hot water to tackle stubborn gunk and bacteria.
• P-trap cleaning: Don your rubber gloves and put a bucket underneath the P-trap. Unscrew the pipe by hand or with a wrench, if required, and take the pipe out. Dump the contents into the trash, flush any leftovers out of the pipe and refasten your sink’s plumbing.
• A note on bleach: Although bleach is an effective antibacterial agent, bleach is not suggested for cleaning drains. It can cause harm to your pipes and potentially create toxic gases, so don’t use bleach in this circumstance.

Tips for Pleasant-Smelling Drains

It’s simple to keep foul-smelling drains from happening with a little maintenance. Here’s what we encourage:

• Run your garbage disposal and rinse with cold water for 20 seconds after grinding up food to totally flush particles down the pipes.
• Rinse the drain every week or so with a gallon of near-boiling water to protect against the buildup of odor-causing debris.
• Run water down rarely used sinks to keep the P-trap filled. For more protection, pour a small amount of mineral oil in the drain, because that slows evaporation.
• Pour a handful of baking soda into the drain and then pour hot water to absorb and neutralize odors.
• From time to time, follow up the baking soda process with a cup of white vinegar for a even greater clean. Leave it there for half an hour, then flush the drain thoroughly with hot water.
• Grind lemon or orange peels to leave your sink smelling citrus-fresh.
• Use enzyme cleaners to stop the buildup of odor-causing residue without turning to harsh chemicals.
• Hire a professional to check your plumbing sporadically. This can help catch odor-causing situations before they become a big problem.
• Avoid pouring grease and other food items in the drain that can easily clog or rot, such as coffee grounds and fibrous vegetables.
• Try using mesh strainers to catch food scraps and other debris before they go down the drain. Next, dump the strainers into the trash to keep your pipes flowing properly and smelling clean.
• Hire professional drain cleaning to ensure a properly done job. Licensed plumbers have the tools and training to take care of tough clogs and smelly problems. Plus, they can provide personalized advice specific to your household’s plumbing system.

Get Experienced Drain Cleaning in Fort Lauderdale with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

If your attempts to clean the foul-smelling kitchen drain don’t work, it’s time to call in the professionals. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning delivers fast, durable plumbing solutions in Fort Lauderdale, including professional drain cleaning. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee means we’re dedicated to your complete happiness.

So, the next time your nasty-smelling drains make you want to plug your nose, reach out to the knowledgeable pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Schedule your appointment by calling 954-736-4314 today!