What Makes a Shower Drain Smelly?
Mold development, clogged drains, dry P-traps, and leaking pipes are the most typical causes of a smelly shower drain. The interaction of these components can produce the ideal habitat for the odor-producing bacteria to develop if you don’t frequently clean your drain out.
Obstructed Drain
Food particles may become stuck in a clogged drain and begin to spoil. The smell of this decaying garbage will make using the shower unpleasant. With an auger or a drain snake, you can unclog the drain. The shower stopper may occasionally be the cause of the issue. It clogs the drain as it gathers hair, filth, and other debris. These could emit a bad odor after some time. If so, you can fix the issue by removing the stopper and giving it a thorough cleaning with hot water and an old toothbrush.
Rough P-Trap
If you don’t use your shower often, the water in the trap may evaporate, filling the air with an unpleasant odor. You should inspect your P-trap if the smell of sewage permeates your bathroom. The P-trap is a U-shaped pipe that holds water to stop sewage gases from entering the shower again. Run some water down the drain every so often when the shower isn’t in use to remedy this problem. This will maintain the P-trap’s capacity and stop odors from escaping.
Broken Pipes
Not only do you lose water if your pipes are leaking, but you can also lose your fragrant bathroom. Gases can escape from leaking pipes, giving your bathroom a sewage-like odor. If you have any reason to believe this is the case, you should get in touch with a qualified plumber right away.
These are just a handful of the many reasons why a shower drain could smell. Think about seeking professional assistance if you’re having problems getting rid of a bad smell in the restroom. They are able to locate the smell’s origin and take care of it for you. You’ll be able to take a clean, fragrant shower after the problem is fixed!
Easy Tests
Finding the particular location where that stench is coming from can frequently be difficult. Fortunately, there is a simple test that can be used to determine that. From the tap you think the stench is coming from, pour a glass of water. Take that glass of water outside and take a sniff. Then repeat the process in a different room of the house. Does it have the same odor? If the two glasses of water smell different, as you’ve already deduced, then the drain from that glass of water is likely the source of the issue. Infected water may be the cause of the hydrogen sulfide gas if both glasses smell the same.
Potential Remedies for Smelly Shower Drain
When the Cause is Contaminated Water
Your water heater’s anode rod may be to blame for the unpleasant odor by reacting with the bacteria. After replacing the rod with an aluminum one, sanitize the water with hydrogen peroxide.
A simple fix to try if the hydrogen sulfide gas is coming up via the pipes is a contaminated sink drain. After adding a cup of vinegar, add a half cup of baking soda to the drain. Alternatively, you can add a half cup of bleach if you’d like.
It’s time to call the experts if you can still smell sulfur or rotten eggs in your Elizabeth, NJ bathroom. An expert plumber can help you identify the source of the stench and provide a solution.
How to Maintain a Clean Bathroom
Start by deep cleaning your bathroom if you want to keep it that way. This entails washing the floors, scrubbing the sink and shower or bathtub, wiping down surfaces with disinfectants, and spot-cleaning any places that could require additional care. You can take action to keep your bathroom clean once it has been fully cleaned.
Keep a regular cleaning routine and follow it first. Cleaning the bathroom should be done at least once a week, though you can do it more frequently if necessary. Make sure to scrub all surfaces in the bathroom with soapy water or a disinfecting cleaner when cleaning it. Pay close care to the shower and bathtub, as well as places like faucets and drains.
Keep your bathroom clear of clutter as well. Use baskets or caddies to organize all of your supplies and toiletries. This will facilitate spot cleaning after each usage and assist in avoiding the accumulation of debris altogether.
Last but not least, keep the bathroom windowed. To assist eliminate smells, steam from showers and baths, and moisture from the air, open windows, turn on a fan, and/or turn on the exhaust. Additionally, this will aid in preventing the growth of mold and mildew, both of which may be troublesome to clean and pose health risks.
Contact Us Right Away If You Need Help
Give us a call, and we’ll help identify the issue and provide you with a remedy if neither of those approaches successfully gets rid of the rotten egg smell. Elizabeth Drain Service can assist with maintenance or urgent plumbing system repair. Check out our coupons for discounts before calling Elizabeth Drain Service. Call Elizabeth if you need it right away!
