Get Rid of Your Stinky Drain

Have you ever entered your kitchen only to be greeted by a foul odor? You start searching—it’s not the garbage can, and the aroma isn’t coming from the fridge. No, the perpetrator appears to be a stinky kitchen drain. The good news is, with a little investigating and drain-cleaning efforts, you can say goodbye to that unpleasant smell and say hello to freshness!

What Causes a Stinky Drain?

Your sink can develop an offensive odor for a few reasons. Determining the cause is the best way to begin freshening up your kitchen and stopping a recurrence. The most common causes include:

• Bacteria: A kitchen drain clogged with food particles, grease buildup and other gunk is a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that produce unpleasant odors as they feed.
• Blocked drain: Obstructed 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 come up from the drain, triggering a lingering sewer smell. This typically occurs with plumbing that is no longer used
• Plumbing errors: From DIY problems to missing traps or drain vents, plumbing issues can allow nasty smells to enter your living space.

Ways to Fix a Stinky Drain

Here are four reliable methods to banish smelly drain odors:

• Hot water: Heat a mixture of water and vinegar to near-boiling and carefully pour it into the drain. The hot water clears out the debris and vinegar neutralizes the odor.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Begin with the hot water strategy explained above. If it’s inadequate, put a cup of baking soda in the drain and follow that with two cups of hot vinegar. Enjoy the fizz and leave it for an hour. Then, flush the drain with more hot water to clean out stubborn gunk and bacteria.
• P-trap cleaning: Don your safety gloves and place a bucket under the P-trap. Unfasten the pipe by hand or with a wrench, if needed, and set it aside. Dump the contents into the trash, wash out the pipe and refasten your sink’s plumbing.
• A note on bleach: Although it is an effective antibacterial agent, bleach is not recommended for cleaning drains. It can cause harm to your pipes and possibly create toxic gases, so avoid using bleach in this scenario.

How to Keep Your Drains Smelling Fresh

It’s very easy to keep foul-smelling drains from happening with a little routine cleaning. Here’s what we suggest:

• Turn on your garbage disposal and rinse with cold water for 20 seconds after grinding up food to thoroughly flush particles out the pipes.
• Flush the drain weekly with a gallon of near-boiling water to protect against the buildup of odor-causing gunk.
• Run water down seldom-used sinks to keep the P-trap filled. For additional protection, pour a small amount of mineral oil in the drain, because that slows down evaporation.
• Pour a handful of baking soda down the drain and follow that with hot water to absorb and neutralize odors.
• From time to time, follow up the baking soda method with a cup of white vinegar for a more intense clean. Allow the baking soda to activate for half an hour, then rinse the drain thoroughly with hot water.
• Use ground-up lemon or orange peels to leave your sink smelling fragrant.
• Use enzyme cleaners to prevent the buildup of odor-causing residue without resorting to the use of harsh chemicals.
• Hire a specialist to check your plumbing occasionally. This can help find odor-causing situations before they become a big problem.
• Don’t ever put grease and other kitchen scraps or substances into 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. Next, empty the strainers into the trash to keep your pipes flowing easily and smelling clean.
• Opt for professional drain cleaning to ensure a properly done job. Licensed plumbers have the tools and expertise to clear tough clogs and smelly problems. Plus, they can give personalized advice specific to your household’s plumbing system.

Call for Expert Drain Cleaning in Fort Lauderdale with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

If your attempts to clean the foul-smelling kitchen drain don’t work, it’s time to call in the professionals. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning provides fast, durable plumbing solutions in Fort Lauderdale, including professional drain cleaning. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee means we’re focused on your complete happiness.

So, the next time your stinky drains make you want to plug your nose, reach out to the knowledgeable pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Make your appointment by calling 954-736-4314 today!