Do you have a stinky drain? You are not alone. It is a common occurrence in many households. There are many reasons why your drain smells bad. But the most common sense is that the drain is clogged with hair, food, or other debris. Whatever the basis of your smelly drain, you have to find the root cause and hire a professional plumbing service if you have to. 

What causes smelly drains? 

A smelly drain is a common plumbing issue. While it could be annoying to have such a plumbing problem at home, the good thing is that it is not as complicated to fix as you think. 

It could be a simple clog that’s causing the smelly drain. However, it could also be because of a more serious problem, like a gas leak. Does it happen when the drain hasn’t been used for hours? Does it smell so bad it has already spread throughout the entire room? Here are common reasons for smelly drains: 

Bacteria buildup 

One of the most common reasons for a smelly drain is bacteria buildup. Every day, you use your gutters at home to take a bath, wash the dishes, do the laundry and clean the house. Imagine all the things that go down the drain – food bits, hair, and other dirt and debris. These items will most likely get stuck in the pipes. It can cause clogs and an unpleasant smell if these are not removed immediately. 

Sump stink 

It could be that the smell from the drain comes from your sump pump. It could be because wastewater is directed into your sump pump instead of going to the main sewer line. Hence, the bad smell emanates down the drain. 

Dry P-trap 

It could also be because your drain has not been used recently hence the unpleasant smell coming from the drain. A P-trap is a goose neck-shaped part of the pipe installed to block sewer gas from coming out through the drain. If it isn’t used for a long time, the water inside the P-trap evaporates and causes a stinky smell. 

Garbage disposal 

Your garbage disposal will most likely smell due to food remnants inside it. If it already smells rotten or moldy, you should clean your garbage disposal ASAP. 

How to prevent smelly drains

If you have a smelly drain and want to know how to get rid of it, then you should follow these steps:

• Clean the sink area around the drain and pour some baking soda down the drain. Let it sit for a few minutes before pouring some vinegar down. This will help break up any clogs in the pipes.
• Use a plunger on your sink or shower drains to remove any hair or debris that may be causing the problem.
• Avoid pouring oil or grease down the drain as it could lead to clogs and an unpleasant odor. 
• Flush your drains with boiling water from time to time to help remove any buildup in your pipes, remove clogs, and prevent bad smells from coming from them. 

If there is still a smell coming from your pipes after following these steps, call an expert plumber for help. Contact a professional plumbing service in Columbia, TN, for your pipe and drain cleaning, declogging, and repair needs.