Red Deer Plumbing Repair: Reasons Your Drains Smell Bad

Drains in homes are necessary for pulling wastewater out of the house and into the sewer system. However, drains are prone to unpleasantries such as clogs and smells. If you encounter any unwanted odours coming from your drains, plumbing services in Red Deer can help you get to the root of the problem and have your kitchen or bathroom smelling better again. Being aware of why your drains smell bad is the first step towards preventing or fixing the problem.

Issues With the Sewer Gas Trap

The sewer gas trap is the P- or U- shaped portion of the drain that acts as the first line of defence to stop sewer gas odours from coming back up to your bathroom. These traps are found on both floor drains and the drains connected to sinks and toilets. A malfunctioning sewer gas trap, or the absence of a gas trap, can be a reason that your drains smell unpleasant.

• A leak is one issue that might be found in a sewer gas trap. Leaks in the pipe can be caused by corrosion, blockages, rust, or holes. Blockages often arise from pouring out grease and other items not meant for the drain, causing water in the pipes to back up and potentially burst. Evidence of a leak includes wet floors adjacent to the sink as well as dampness and discolouration under the sink. 

• Another issue could be that the sewer gas trap has dried out. A primer trap is used for sinks and showers that are infrequently used, in order to provide a regular supply of water to the sewer gas trap. This water provides a seal in the pipe to prevent foul odours from escaping. However, dried gas traps no longer have this seal and may release bad smells into the room. Water can evaporate from a trap if everyone has been away from the home or office for an extended period and not using the toilet, sink, or shower. 

• Sometimes, particularly in older homes, smells occur because a sewer gas trap was never installed in the first place. Finding that you lack a sewer gas trap is an unfortunate situation, and a professional should always be the one to install a new gas trap if needed.

Some of these issues with the sewer gas trap can be prevented by making sure you turn your faucets on regularly, particularly if you have a guest bathroom that does not get much use. Leaks are best handled by professionals due to the risk of an untrained person causing more leaking and flooding issues. Sewage smells may contain gases like hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, and methane, which can cause ailments such as asphyxiation and loss of memory. Professionals are aware of these risks and take steps to keep themselves safe.

Organic Materials

Organic matter building up in your pipes is another cause of smelly drains. People use their sinks for all sorts of things, and this leads to materials such as soap, toothpaste, coffee grounds, food, and grease to build up in the pipes. Hair is a big culprit for clogs in shower drains. Baby wipes and cat litter are a few objects that people flush and cause the toilet to clog. Sometimes, you can fix these clogs yourself by pouring hot water or store-bought drain cleaning substances down the drain. However, a plumber should always be called if the clog is too stubborn or located too far down the drain for you to reach.

Fix Your Smelly Drain Problem

The professionals at Handyman Connection have the training and skills needed to fix your plumbing issues. If you suspect you have a leak or clog-causing odours to emanate from your drain, please give us a call today.