4 Ways to Clean a Foul-Smelling Drain

Do you have a particularly smelly drain in your house? Does it make the entire room smell like sewage? This is a major problem requiring immediate attention. Before you call a plumber, try these four easy ways to eliminate drain odor.

1. Refill or Clean the Plumbing TrapUnder normal conditions, drain odors are blocked by water held in the P-trap, the curved portion of piping found under every plumbing fixture. However, if a certain drain is rarely used, the water in the trap can evaporate, allowing sewer gas to enter the living space. A simple fix is to run the tap for 10 to 15 seconds or pour a quart of water down the drain.Of course, the problem could be with the P-trap itself. To remove any smelly clogs, place a bucket under the trap and unscrew the fittings by hand or using a wrench. Dump the contents in the bucket, rinse the pipe in another sink, and reinstall it. Then, run the water for a few seconds to fill the freshly cleaned trap and keep sewer gas at bay.
2. Run the Garbage DisposalIf the smelly drain is in the kitchen, the problem likely stems from food waste in the garbage disposal. To fix the problem, start by running the kitchen faucet at full blast. Then, turn on the garbage disposal.If that’s not enough, send small pieces of orange peel down the drain, followed by a few squirts of dish soap. Run the water and the disposal simultaneously to freshen things up. If your disposal isn’t working, you may need to schedule a repair.
3. Pour Baking Soda & Hot Water Down the DrainBaking soda is a natural yet surprisingly powerful odor absorber. Sprinkle some down the smelly drain, followed by a half-gallon of near-boiling water. The pot of water left over from cooking pasta is a great option. The combination of odor-absorbing baking soda and hot water should eliminate drain odor.
4. Clean the Drain with Hot VinegarWhite vinegar is another natural household cleaner you can use to get rid of smelly drains without using harsh chemicals. It even cleans your coffeemaker.To double up on the cleaning power of vinegar, first put equal parts water and vinegar in your coffeemaker and run a half brew. Let the vinegar-water solution sit for an hour, and then finish the cycle. Next, slowly pour the hot vinegar down the smelly drain. It should scour the pipes to remove odor-causing bacteria and mold.

Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning

If none of these DIY methods work, you could have a more serious problem on your hands. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Puget Sound Plumbing and Heating for help. Our professional drain cleaning services remove built-up grime and residue, doing away with your foul-smelling drain once and for all. To request a visit from one of our qualified Seattle plumbers, please call us at (206) 938-3219 or contact us online today.