How to Clean a Smelly Drain

Have you ever walked into your kitchen only to get hit in the face by a foul stench? You start looking around—it’s not the garbage can, and it isn’t coming from the fridge. No, the cause seems to be a smelly kitchen drain. The good news is, with a bit of detective work and drain-cleaning efforts, you can alleviate that annoying smell and say hello to freshness!

What Causes a Stinky Drain?

Your sink can smell bad for a few reasons. Determining the cause is the starting point to freshening up your kitchen and stopping a recurrence. The most frequent offenders include:

• Bacteria: A kitchen drain lined with food particles, grease buildup and other crud is a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that make unpleasant odors as they feed.
• Plugged drain: Blocked pipes can lead to stagnant water and bacteria growth, contributing to the stench.
• Sewer gases: If the P-trap located under the sink dries out, sewer gases may waft from the drain, causing a lingering sewer smell. This most often happens in plumbing that is no longer used
• Plumbing errors: From DIY problems to missing traps or drain vents, plumbing problems can allow nasty smells to permeate your living space.

Ways to Fix a Stinky Drain

Here are four reliable strategies to eliminate potent drain odors:

• Hot water: Heat a mixture of water and vinegar until it nearly boils and gradually pour it into the drain. The hot water clears out the sludge and vinegar neutralizes the stench.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Begin with the hot water strategy mentioned above. If it’s insufficient, pour a cup of baking soda into the drain and chase it with two cups of hot vinegar. Appreciate the fizz and let it sit for an hour. Then, clear the drain with more hot water to tackle stubborn gunk and bacteria.
• P-trap cleaning: Don your rubber gloves and put a bucket under the P-trap. Unscrew the pipe by hand or with a wrench, if necessary, and remove it. Empty the contents into the trash, wash out the pipe and reattach your sink’s plumbing.
• A note on bleach: Although bleach is an effective antibacterial agent, bleach is not ideal for cleaning drains. It can damage your pipes and possibly create toxic gases, so don’t use bleach in this situation.

How to Keep Your Drains Smelling Fresh

It’s not hard to keep reeking drains from happening with a little elbow grease. Here’s what we suggest:

• Run your garbage disposal and flush it with cold water for 20 seconds after grinding up food to completely flush particles through the pipes.
• Clean the drain weekly with a gallon of near-boiling water to stop the buildup of odor-causing debris.
• Run water into rarely used sinks to keep the P-trap filled. For additional protection, pour a small amount of mineral oil in the drain, because that slows evaporation.
• Pour a handful of baking soda in the drain and then pour hot water to absorb and counteract odors.
• Periodically, follow up the baking soda process with a cup of white vinegar for a deeper clean. Leave it there for 30 minutes, then clean the drain thoroughly with hot water.
• Cut up lemon or orange peels to leave your sink smelling citrus-fresh.
• Utilize enzyme cleaners to prevent the buildup of odor-causing residue without resorting to the use of harsh chemicals.
• Hire a professional to inspect your plumbing occasionally. This can help find odor-causing scenarios before they become a big problem.
• Don’t pour grease and other food items in the drain that can easily clog or decay, such as coffee grounds and fibrous vegetables.
• Install mesh strainers to catch food scraps and other debris before they get caught in the drain. Then, empty the strainers into the trash to keep your pipes flowing easily and smelling pleasant.
• Schedule professional drain cleaning to ensure a thorough job. Licensed plumbers have the tools and expertise to deal with tough clogs and smelly problems. Additionally, they can provide personalized advice specific to your household’s plumbing system.

Call for Professional Drain Cleaning in Calgary with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

If your hard work trying to clean the stinky kitchen drain prove unsuccessful, it’s time to call in the pros. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning delivers fast, long-lasting plumbing solutions in Calgary, including professional drain cleaning. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee means we’re devoted to your complete happiness.

So, the next time your smelly drains make you want to run out of the room, reach out to the knowledgeable pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Make your appointment by contacting us at 403-279-5760 today!