Ways to Eliminate Drain Odors

Have you ever walked into your kitchen only to get hit in the face by a foul smell? You start searching—it’s not the garbage can, and it is not the fridge. No, the perpetrator is a smelly kitchen drain. The good news is, with a bit of detective work and drain-cleaning efforts, you can alleviate that unpleasant smell and say hello to freshness!

Why Does My Drain Smell Bad??

Your sink can develop an offensive odor for a few reasons. Pinpointing the cause is the first step of freshening up your kitchen and avoiding a recurrence. The most prevalent culprits include:

• Bacteria: A kitchen drain covered with food particles, grease buildup and other sludge is a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that produce unpleasant odors as they feed.
• Clogged drain: Stopped up pipes can lead to stagnant water and bacteria growth, contributing to the stench.
• Sewer gases: If the P-trap below the sink dries out, sewer gases may waft from the drain, leading to a lingering sewer smell. This oftentimes happens in household plumbing fixtures that are not used anymore
• Plumbing flaws: From DIY problems to missing traps or drain vents, plumbing issues can allow unwelcome smells to enter your living space.

How to Fix a Stinky Drain

Here are four surefire strategies to eliminate potent drain odors:

• Hot water: Heat a mixture of water and vinegar to near-boiling and gradually pour it down the drain. The hot water clears out the sludge and vinegar negates the odor.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Start with the hot water method outlined above. If it’s insufficient, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and then pour two cups of hot vinegar. Enjoy the fizz and let the solution work for an hour. Then, flush the drain with more hot water to clean out stubborn gunk and bacteria.
• P-trap cleaning: Don your rubber gloves and put a bucket under the P-trap. Loosen the pipe by hand or with a wrench, if required, and remove it. 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 advisable for cleaning drains. It can cause harm to your pipes and potentially create toxic gases, so avoid using bleach in this scenario.

Strategies for Fresh and Clean Drains

It’s easy to keep foul-smelling drains at bay with a little elbow grease. Here’s what we recommend:

• Turn on your garbage disposal and flush it with cold water for 20 seconds after grinding up food to completely flush particles down the pipes.
• Rinse the drain once a week with a gallon of near-boiling water to protect against the buildup of odor-causing gunk.
• Run water through rarely used sinks to keep the P-trap filled. For additional protection, pour a little mineral oil in the drain, because that decreases the rate of evaporation.
• Spread a handful of baking soda down the drain and then pour hot water to absorb and counteract odors.
• Once in a while, follow up the baking soda process with a cup of white vinegar for a more intense clean. Let it sit for a half-hour, then clean the drain completely with hot water.
• Grind lemon or orange peels to leave your sink smelling citrus-fresh.
• Make use of enzyme cleaners to stop the buildup of odor-causing residue without resorting to the use of harsh chemicals.
• Hire a pro to check your plumbing periodically. This can help find odor-causing scenarios before they become trouble.
• Don’t pour grease and other kitchen scraps or substances down the drain that can easily clog or decompose, such as coffee grounds and fibrous vegetables.
• Try using mesh strainers to catch food scraps and other debris before they end up in drain. After that, dump the strainers into the trash to keep your pipes flowing easily and smelling fresh.
• Hire professional drain cleaning to ensure a thorough job. Licensed plumbers have the tools and expertise to handle tough clogs and smelly problems. In addition, they can supply you with personalized advice specific to your residence’s plumbing system.

Get Expert Drain Cleaning in Winnipeg with Winnipeg Supply Service Experts

If your hard work trying to clean the stinky kitchen drain prove unsuccessful, it’s time to call in the professionals. Winnipeg Supply Service Experts provides fast, durable plumbing solutions in Winnipeg, including professional drain cleaning. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee means we’re dedicated to your complete happiness.

So, the next time your smelly drains make you want to gag, go with the knowledgeable pros at Winnipeg Supply Service Experts. Plan your appointment by calling 204-800-0613 today!