How to Clean a Smelly Drain

Have you ever walked into your kitchen only to be greeted by a foul odor? You start searching—it’s not the garbage can, and the nasty odor isn’t coming from the fridge. No, the culprit is a smelly kitchen drain. Thankfully, with a little investigating and drain-cleaning efforts, you can say goodbye to that annoying odor and say hello to freshness!

What Causes a Stinky Drain?

Your sink can smell bad for many reasons. Determining the cause is the starting point to freshening up your kitchen and stopping a recurrence. The most common culprits include:

• Bacteria: A kitchen drain covered with food particles, grease buildup and other crud is a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that make unpleasant odors as they feed.
• Clogged drain: Obstructed pipes can lead to stagnant water and bacteria growth, adding to the bad odor.
• Sewer gases: If the P-trap underneath the sink dries out, sewer gases may waft from the drain, causing a lingering sewer smell. This typically is found in seldom-used plumbing fixtures
• Plumbing mistakes: From DIY mishaps to missing traps or drain vents, plumbing challenges can allow unwelcome smells to enter your living space.

Tips to Clear a Stinky Drain

Here are four surefire strategies to eliminate smelly drain odors:

• Hot water: Heat a mixture of water and vinegar almost to the boiling point and gradually pour it down the drain. The hot water clears out the sludge and vinegar neutralizes the scent.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Start with the hot water technique mentioned above. If it’s not enough, put a cup of baking soda down the drain and chase it with two cups of hot vinegar. Appreciate the fizz and let it sit for an hour. Then, clear the drain with more hot water to get rid of stubborn gunk and bacteria.
• P-trap cleaning: Don your safety gloves and put a bucket underneath the P-trap. Unfasten the pipe by hand or with a wrench, if necessary, and take the pipe out. Dump the contents into the trash, flush any leftovers out of the pipe and refasten your sink’s plumbing.
• A note on bleach: Although it’s an effective antibacterial agent, bleach is not recommended for cleaning drains. It can cause harm to your pipes and may create toxic gases, so don’t use bleach in this circumstance.

How to Keep Your Drains Smelling Fresh

It’s very 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 through the pipes.
• Clean the drain every week or so with a gallon of near-boiling water to stop the buildup of odor-causing debris.
• Run water into rarely used sinks to keep the P-trap filled. For extra protection, apply a small amount of mineral oil in the drain, because that slows down evaporation.
• Spread a handful of baking soda in the drain and follow that with hot water to absorb and reduce any odors.
• Occasionally, follow up the baking soda treatment with a cup of white vinegar for a deeper clean. Leave it there for half an hour, then flush the drain extensively with hot water.
• Grind lemon or orange peels to leave your sink smelling citrus-fresh.
• Make use of enzyme cleaners to prevent the buildup of odor-causing residue without relying on harsh chemicals.
• Hire a pro to examine your plumbing occasionally. This can help catch odor-causing issues before they become a concern.
• Don’t pour grease and other kitchen scraps or substances into the drain that can easily clog or rot, such as coffee grounds and fibrous vegetables.
• Use mesh strainers to catch food scraps and other debris before they end up in drain. After that, empty the strainers into the trash to keep your pipes flowing easily and smelling fresh.
• Hire professional drain cleaning to ensure a comprehensive job. Licensed plumbers have the tools and expertise to deal with tough clogs and smelly problems. In addition, they can provide personalized advice specific to your household’s plumbing system.

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

If your hard work trying to clean the foul-smelling kitchen drain don’t work, it’s time to call in the pros. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is known for fast, long-lasting plumbing solutions in Fort Lauderdale, including professional drain cleaning. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee means we’re dedicated to your complete happiness.

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