Whether you live alone or with your family, kitchen sinks are the hub of all activities. Be it to wash away dirty dishes or rinse fresh produce; kitchen sinks are there for it all. But have you ever noticed an unpleasant odor wafting from your sink drain? If your kitchen sink is constantly in use, a smelly sink drain is not that uncommon. However, that does not mean you should ignore it all the same. If anything, a bad odor coming from the drain is a sign there is something wrong with the drainage system and requires immediate action.
Why Is My Sink Drain So Smelly?
Having to deal with a sink drain that smells like a sewer is far from ideal. It can stink up your entire house and make it difficult to work in the same vicinity as the sink. But why does this even happen in the first place?
If you tried dumping water down the drain, hoping to flush away the culprit, you’re doing it wrong. You have to identify the cause of the problem first before finding a solution. Here are some common reasons why your sink drain might be so smelly:
- Bacterial Buildup
Regular sink usage can lead to food particles and other waste products gathering around the sides of a drain pipe. This can cause harmful bacteria to fester and grow, affecting your plumbing system and releasing a rotten egg-like smell. - Mold and Mildew From Rotting Food
Besides bacteria, mold and mildew can also develop from leftover food particles. This is because when the food isn’t washed away, it can rot on the inside, leading to a terrible smell. - Clogged Drainage Pipes
If you’re one of the few who don’t use their kitchen or bathroom sink often, the smell might be from trapped gasses instead. You don’t always need tangible materials to clog the pipes. Sometimes, the culprit is as invisible as the trapped gasses in your pipes. - Sulfate-Contaminated Water
A strong smell of sulfur emanating from your sink drain may as well be due to the high amount of sulfates in your water. Even though it isn’t toxic, sulfate-ridden water can cause digestion problems and has an extremely potent odor. - Dried Out P-trap
A p-trap is a curved pipe placed under your sink. Its main purpose is to catch debris and leftover waste, allowing the water to filter through.t even prevents sewer gas from penetrating the drain. However, when it dries out, with all the waste lying in its belly, the smell that erupts is far from flowery.
How Often Should You Clean Your Drains?
It depends on what type of cleaning you’re going for. That is to say, do you want to deep clean your drains, or are you looking for regular maintenance? Usually, experts advise cleaning your drains once every month. This helps to prevent serious blockage, along with debris, grease, and bacteria buildup.
In cases of deep cleaning, however, an annual servicing works best. Not to mention, cleaning your drains regularly can extend their lifespan and limit your spendings on expensive repairs every few years. This way, you can contact a professional drain cleaning service to freshen your sink drain every year and ensure that your plumbing system works seamlessly.
Easy Ways To Get Rid Of A Smelly Sink Drain
In order to keep your sink drain free of foul odors, try following these simple yet effective techniques:
- Make it a habit to clean your sink regularly.
- Make a thick paste out of baking soda and vinegar, then allow it to sit in the drain for 30 minutes before washing it away.
- Pour boiling water down the drain to dissolve pollutants.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the drain.
- Use your favorite essential oils to combat the smell.
- Invest in a drain snake.
- Call a professional plumbing company for help.
Time To Banish That Smell For Good!
If you’re tired of constantly dealing with a smelly sink drain, don’t wait around. Contact Clean Team Plumbing today to flush out your drainage pipes. All you have to do is dial (832) 813-8035, and we’ll take care of the rest. For more information, you can also drop by our office at 10690 Shadow Wood Dr. Ste 128, Houston, TX 77043, United States.
