Do You know Why Your Drains Smell Bad?
- By: Amer ZaghloulehDrainsComment: 0
Imagine walking into your bathroom or kitchen in the morning and noticing a foul odor in the air. You go outside to see if maybe the city sewer line is the culprit but the morning air smells as fresh as it always does. That’s when you realize that the odor you noticed is coming from a bathroom or kitchen drain (or both). Worst of all, you have no clue as to why your drains smell bad. You just know that you want it to stop and stop as soon as possible. Now’s the time to call Anytime Plumbing for the solution.
What causes drains to emit odors and smell bad?
Think about what you put down your drains every day. When you’re doing the dishes, all types of food and grease particles find their way into the drain when you are done and release the water out of the sink. Or how about when you take a shower? Dirt, hair, and soap make their way down the drain and into the plumbing system. Is there any wonder why your drains smell bad? If you neglect cleaning out your kitchen sink and shower drains on a regular basis, you’re asking for trouble. However, if you don’t want to clean them on your own or have no time, why don’t you call in the plumbing experts at our company to do it for you? It will be easier than calling them when you have an emergency due to a clogged drain.
All of things can accumulate in your plumbing and cause problems with your sewer line and pipes. The following is a list of the 4 reasons that can cause bad-smelling drains:
Blocked drain vents – your drainage system is equipped with vents that enable sewer gases to escape through pipes in your roof. This also prevents pressure build-up within the pipes. If a blockage develops in the vents, the pressure will increase and eventually cause those gases will travel through the p-traps and come out of the drains.
Damaged sewer lines – this is, without a doubt, the most serious problem of the 4 and a key reason why your drains smell bad. If you’ve recently noticed numerous clogs throughout the home as well as foul smelling drains, this indicates a damaged sewer line and you need to the experts at Anytime Plumbing immediately.
Dried p-traps – the curved segment of pipe beneath your sinks is known as the p-trap, the purpose of which is to trap water and prevent sewer gases from coming up out of your drain. However, if you don’t use the sink that often, the water will evaporate and open up a clear path for those gases to enter your home.
Rotten organic material – this issue is commonly associated with kitchen sinks and another reason why your drains smell bad. If an excess of organic material builds up along the walls of the drain pipe, it will start decaying and emit a foul odor. Anytime Plumbing utilizes special drain cleaning tools to correct this issue.
How often should your drains be cleaned professionally?
One of the most important aspects of preventative home maintenance is keeping the drains in your home clean and unclogged. How often should you have them cleaned by professionals? That depends on several factors. The two most crucial factors used to determine why your drains smell bad are how often your drains are used and the size of your household.
Smaller households are usually okay if they have their drains cleaned “as needed” while larger households should have regularly scheduled annual cleanings. The experts here at Anytime Plumbing, can recommend a drain cleaning schedule that suits your needs.
How do we clean the drains in your home?
Proper drain cleaning is best left in the hands of plumbers who have the combined experience and expertise to do the job. We use the 3 following methods to clean commercial and residential drains:
- hydro-jetting
- motorized drain augers (snakes)
- video pipe inspections
Furthermore, leave those drain chemicals that contain harsh, corrosive chemicals on the shelf at the store as these can damage your plumbing system.
What are the benefits of regularly schedule drain cleanings?
Once you determine why your drains smell bad and have the problem fixed, you’ll these 4 primary benefits of having you drain cleaned on a regular basis:
- It eliminates bad smells
- It extends each drain’s lifespan
- It improves drainage and reduces clogs
- It prevents expensive plumbing repairs
We always advice our clients and customers to never neglect cleaning drains as they can clog and lead to unpleasant situations. To learn more about why your drains smell bad or for more information about regularly scheduled drain cleanings, contact Anytime Plumbing as soon as it’s convenient.
