QA

Quick Answer: Why Does My Bathtub Drain Smell

A normal clog in your bathtub drain may be because hair, soap, and other residue is creating gunk in the drain line. Particles and other debris can get clogged in drain pipes and bacteria can build up. When this happens, an a smelly sewer odor is released into the bathroom.

How do I get rid of the smell in my bathtub drain?

How to Get Rid of a Musty Smell From a Tub Drain Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain to clean and deodorize. Pour 1/2 cup vinegar into the drain directly on top of the baking soda. Let the foam work in the drain for an hour and pour about 1 gallon boiling water down the drain for a final rinse.

Why does my bathtub drain smell like sewer?

If your shower drain smells like a sewer, then this is a sign that your P-trap may not be doing its job of blocking sewer gases from escaping into your bathroom. If you’re dealing with a mustier or general odor, then your P-trap could still be the problem, but in this case, it likely needs to be cleaned.

How do I stop my drains from smelling?

Use the Cleaning Power of Baking Soda Simply pour several tablespoons of baking soda down a blocked or smelly drain, then follow it up with several tablespoons of plain white vinegar. Then quickly block the drain tightly and wait a few seconds.

Can I pour bleach down shower drain?

No. Bleach is a very powerful and toxic substance, so you need to take particular caution in what you apply it to – pouring bleach down a drain does not constitute a proper use. Bleach has the potential to react with other substances in plumbing and pipework, and could end up causing further clogging of the system.

How do you fix a smelly P-trap?

To eliminate odors coming from a dry p-trap, pour half a gallon of water into the trap to restore the barrier. It will prevent the odors from seeping through the drain. Another helpful method is to add a cup of white vinegar bleach to get rid of larvae and slow down the evaporation.

Can I pour bleach down a smelly drain?

To use bleach to kill odor-causing bacteria, first, fill your sink with hot water. Then, add about one cup of regular household bleach to the sink. After you’ve added the bleach, allow the sink to drain. Repeat the process until the drain smells more like bleach than anything else.

Why does my drain smell like rotten eggs?

If you are noticing the smell of rotten eggs, it is possible that your water or sink drain is contaminated. It could also be that the drain is clogged or partially drained. When sinks are clogged, they drain slowly, which can cause bacteria to build up in the p-trap and create the hydrogen sulfide gas.

Why does my bathroom stink after I shower?

A musty smell rising from a shower drain is produced by mold growth. Underneath the shower drain cover, mold is able to grow. This is due to cellulose materials from the hair, body oils, and soap scum that flushes out with wastewater, along with the moisture from the water.

Why does my unused shower smell?

The smell coming from an unused tub or drain is usually coming from the P-trap. A P-trap is the U-shaped portion of pipe underneath the drain. The trap is supposed to keep sewer odors from coming into your bathroom and home. Rinse out the drain by running hot water for at least three minutes.

What do you do when your shower drain smells like rotten eggs?

In your bathroom, you can clear a clog several ways, including pouring a half-cup of baking soda into the drain, then a cup of vinegar, and flushing with hot water. If that doesn’t work, you may need to call a professional.

Why do I smell sewer in my house?

If you are detecting foul sewer odors inside the house, this means that there is a weak link somewhere in your plumbing system. Possible sources include bathroom sink drains, toilets, kitchen drains, basement drains, old cast iron piping, or even the vent stack that goes out through your roof.

Can you put vinegar down the drain?

Vinegar is made up of water and acetic acid, which is (you guessed it) an acid. Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water can help clean drains naturally, but you may need something stronger, like Liquid-Plumr, to fully unclog those really tough drain clogs.

Does baking soda and vinegar work better than Drano?

Baking soda and vinegar may unclog your drain better than Drano ever could. Then, put 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit there for 30 minutes. When the time is up, run warm water down the drain and see if the clog is gone.

What do you do when your shower drain smells like sewer?

Mix 1 part bleach and 1 part water, then pour down the drain. First, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain. Then add a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain as the mixture fizzes, then flush with hot water.