How to Combat Foul-Smelling Drains

While foul-smelling drains are certainly unpleasant, they’re also a fairly common plumbing problem. Luckily, in most cases, smelly drains are a fairly easy issue to resolve. This blog from Walsh Brothers Industrial Services takes a look at some simple steps you can take to combat this unpleasant

plumbing issue in your home.



Refill your plumbing traps

All plumbing systems will likely have traps of some kind, whether they’re bottle traps, P-traps, S-traps or just the standard U-bend. These traps hold water in the curved portion, which forms a blockage against the gas given off by waste as it travels through your pipes. This prevents the foul-smelling gas from returning to the room from where it came and making your drains (and entire rooms) smell bad.

If the water in your traps ever evaporates due to inactivity, there will no longer be a barrier against the gas given off by your wastewater. If you’ve got bad-smelling drains, we recommend refilling the water sitting in your plumbing traps to ensure that this gas is unable to make its way back through your drainage system.

If the drain is a sink drain, run the water for about 10-15 seconds. If it’s a shower or bathtub drain, run the water for about a minute and then allow it to drain out.

Clean your drains using baking soda

The chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar has tremendous cleaning power, as well as its ability to create pressure (imagine the “volcanoes” children make at school). If your drains are particularly odorous, you can try pouring several tablespoons of baking soda into the drain and then following it up with several tablespoons of plain white vinegar, before blocking the drain tightly for a few seconds.

The chemical reaction will not only start scrubbing smelly residue from the inside walls of your pipes, but it might also help to dislodge any blockages or gunk build-up.

Hire a professional drain cleaning service

While these at-home techniques are sometimes sufficient, the best solution will always be to enlist the help of a professional drainage expert. Foul-smelling drains - especially ones that can’t be fixed using the above methods - can be indicative of a more serious problem with your drainage system.

A professional drain cleaning service will be able to use high-pressure water and suction techniques or airflow methods to clear your pipes of debris and silt. If this doesn’t work, they can carry out a drain inspection using CCTV technology to get a closer look at what might be causing your problems and find the best solution for you and your property.

Walsh Brothers Industrial Services offer professional drain cleaning services across Scotland. If you’re experiencing problems with your drains such as blockages or foul smells, our team will identify the problem and find the right solution quickly. Don’t put up with drainage problems - get in touch with us today for more information on our services.