Ways to Eliminate Drain Odors

Have you ever entered your kitchen only to detect a foul odor? You start investigating—it’s not the garbage can, and the nasty odor is clearly not the fridge. No, the perpetrator seems to be an icky and pungent kitchen drain. Thankfully, with a little investigating and drain-cleaning efforts, you can eliminate that unpleasant stench and say hello to freshness!

What Causes a Stinky Drain?

Your sink can smell bad for many reasons. Identifying the cause is the first step of freshening up your kitchen and preventing a recurrence. The most common culprits include:

• Bacteria: A kitchen drain lined with food particles, grease buildup and other sludge is a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that make unpleasant odors as they feed.
• Clogged drain: Stopped up pipes can lead to stagnant water and bacteria growth, adding to the bad odor.
• Sewer gases: If the P-trap located under the sink dries out, sewer gases may emanate from the drain, triggering a lingering sewer smell. This typically happens in seldom-used plumbing fixtures
• Plumbing flaws: From DIY accidents to missing traps or drain vents, plumbing problems can allow nasty smells to enter your living space.

Tips to Fix a Stinky Drain

Here are four reliable strategies to cure potent drain odors:

• Hot water: Heat a mixture of water and vinegar almost to the boiling point and slowly pour it in the drain. The hot water clears out the gunk and vinegar negates the scent.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Get started with the hot water technique explained above. If it’s inadequate, pour a cup of baking soda in the drain and then pour two cups of hot vinegar. Appreciate the fizz and let it sit for an hour. Then, rinse the drain with more hot water to get rid of stubborn gunk and bacteria.
• P-trap cleaning: Don your protective gloves and position a bucket below the P-trap. Unscrew the pipe by hand or with a wrench, if necessary, and take the pipe out. Clean out the contents into the trash, wash out the pipe and reattach your sink’s plumbing.
• A note on bleach: Although bleach is a powerful antibacterial agent, bleach is not advisable for cleaning drains. It can cause harm to your pipes and possibly create toxic gases, so don’t use bleach in this situation.

Strategies for Fresh and Clean Drains

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

• Turn on your garbage disposal and flush it with cold water for 20 seconds after grinding up food to completely flush particles down the pipes.
• Flush the drain once a week with a gallon of near-boiling water to prevent the buildup of odor-causing particles.
• Run water into infrequently used sinks to keep the P-trap filled. For more protection, put a bit of mineral oil in the drain, because that slows down evaporation.
• Sprinkle a handful of baking soda into the drain and follow that with hot water to absorb and reduce any odors.
• From time to time, follow up the baking soda treatment with a cup of white vinegar for a even greater clean. Leave it there for a half-hour, then rinse the drain extensively with hot water.
• Use ground-up lemon or orange peels to leave your sink smelling citrus-fresh.
• Utilize enzyme cleaners to stop the buildup of odor-causing residue without resorting to the use of harsh chemicals.
• Hire a specialist to inspect your plumbing periodically. This can help detect odor-causing scenarios before they become a concern.
• Don’t pour grease and other foods down the drain that can easily clog or rot, such as coffee grounds and fibrous vegetables.
• Try using mesh strainers to catch food particles and other debris before they go down the drain. After that, empty the strainers into the trash to keep your pipes flowing smoothly and smelling clean.
• Opt for professional drain cleaning to ensure a properly done job. Licensed plumbers have the tools and skill to handle tough clogs and smelly problems. In addition, they can give personalized advice specific to your residence’s plumbing system.

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

If your attempts to clean the foul-smelling kitchen drain prove unsuccessful, it’s time to call in the specialists. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is known for fast, lasting plumbing solutions in the U.S., 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 gag, choose the knowledgeable pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Make your appointment by phoning 866-397-3787 today!