All of us take showers and baths several times a week. We use shower drains to dispose of our hair, soap, and other waste materials that get washed down the drain. If you have ever noticed your bathroom smell like a sewage line or a foul odor coming from your shower drain, then you are not alone. This is because there are some things we do that can cause our drains to smell bad. Today, we will discuss why this smell happens and how you can fix it in easy steps so that you don't have to worry about this problem again.
We all know how frustrating the matter can be when you have a stinky shower drain. It makes the issue seem like there is something wrong with the whole house, and maybe even your life! During heavy rains, the surplus runoff water heaps pressure on the city's sewer system, producing a sewer's overflow into separate channels. The overflow may allow the sewerage to back up into residences.
But don't worry—there's no need to panic. There are many such reasons why a shower drain can get stinky, and we've got the solutions for each of them. We'll cover all the possible causes of a filthy shower drain in this article so you can figure out what's causing yours and fix it once and for all!
If the smell is coming from your shower drain, it's possible that the P-trap has become dry. The P-trap is a U-shaped pipe that's placed under the drain in a sink or tub. It prevents sewer gases from entering the house and helps prevent clogs from forming because of trapped hair and other debris. If water doesn't run into your P-trap, it can dry out over time as soap scum builds upon its inner surface.
If this thing is happening and you don't want to replace it yourself, hire a plumber to do so for you instead.
The second reason why the shower drains smell terrible is that it's clogged. There are many things that can cause your drain to get clogged and create a foul odor in your bathroom. The most usual culprits are hair, soap scum, and toothpaste. Hair tends to wash down the drain and stick to the sides of it, causing a build-up over time which then causes it to emit a sewer smell. If you have long hair or tend to use a lot of conditioners, then you will probably notice this problem more often than others who don't have as much hair or conditioner in their showers.
Toothpaste also creates a foul odor when it gets stuck in your shower drain because of its high concentration of baking soda, which acts as an abrasive on your pipes as it goes down them, causing corrosion over time.
The most common reason for a smelly or stinky shower drain is that the toilet bowl is damaged. If you notice the following signs happening in your bathroom, it's time to call an expert:
You will be astonished to know that the vent pipes are responsible for preventing sewer gases from entering your home. When these pipes are clogged or broken, it results in a foul smell emanating from your shower drain.
So, how do you fix a stinky shower drain? Simple! By making sure that all of your vent pipes are installed properly and maintained well by a plumbing professional like us!
Bacteria build-up is a common cause of smelly drains. It can grow in the pipes and the drain trap. It can also grow in the water that you use to shower with, and many people don't realize this until it starts to smell bad.
The build-up of bacteria, which includes mildew, mold, and fungus, as well as other organic matter like hair or soap scum, can lead to a bad odor from your drain. This can sometimes be difficult to get rid of without professional help, but there are some things you can do yourself first before spending any money on cleaning products or hiring a plumber for expensive services that may not even work!
If your septic tank is full, it can overflow and cause a smell in the shower. This is more common if you live in an area with high rainfall or other factors that make it difficult to keep the tank emptied on a regular basis.
If you have a septic tank, you need to check it regularly and make sure that it's working normally. If it isn't, then get in touch with a professional who can empty your tank for you as soon as possible!
You can follow some easy steps for cleaning out any clogged shower drain or pipe openings in your tub, toilet or sink.
Turn off the water and remove the drain cover. This can be done by turning your faucet all the way to its right or off completely if it's a handle-style faucet. If you're using a shower head, turn it off as well (if not already done).
If you haven't tried this method before, you're in for a treat. The second step we recommend is using chemical drain cleaners to clean out your shower drain. This can be done by pouring them down into the drain immediately after using either a plunger or snake tool to remove any blockage that may exist. A chemical cleaner is designed to break down grease and oil build-up along with other particles that might be clogging up your pipes. If nothing else works, try this!
Just like with vinegar, this step may be a little unpleasant to do because the baking soda will foam up, and you'll have to wait for it to settle down before you can flush it away with hot water. But, if you have a smelly drain or clogged drain, it might be worth the slight discomfort.
Pour vinegar over the shower drain. Vinegar is one of the best mild acids that will help dissolve any build-up on your shower drain. It's also a natural disinfectant and deodorizer, so it'll help get rid of the smell for good!
If you're not sure how much vinegar to use, start with just half a cup or so. Then, if you think more is needed, add another half cup or so until all of the smelly stuff has been washed away from under your sink drain.
You might want to wear rubber gloves while you do this because vinegar can irritate some people's skin and eyes (though it's not toxic).
The next step to getting rid of that smelly shower drain is to run some hot water down it. You may have to do this for up to 15 minutes, but it's worth it if you want your bathroom to smell good again!
After running the hot water through your drain, flush with more hot water and inspect the drain again. If there are still traces of baking soda and vinegar left over, repeat Step 4 until they are gone. If there is still an odor coming from your shower drain after flushing with hot water, then the chances are that you have a clogged pipe that needs professional attention. Don't worry! You can contact us at Queen Charlotte Plumbing for one of the best plumbing services in the town just by calling us at 704-707-3339.
Now that you've removed the showerhead and cleaned out the drain, it's time to put everything back together. First, put the new stopper in place and replace the screws. Next, screw on your new shower head and reattach any hoses that were connected to it (if applicable). Finally, turn on your faucet and allow all of those pipes to flush out any remaining debris or gunk that might still be stuck inside them before turning off the water again.
Once all of this is done, you can safely run some cold water through those pipes without worrying about a clog again!
You must always try to keep your drains clean and free of any build-up. If you don't, your drain will become clogged and smelly. This is why you need to use baking soda and vinegar or a plunger to unclog them every once in a while.
Don't forget to regularly check your shower drains for any signs that they may be getting blocked, like slow drainage or water level rising after use, so that you can prevent the build-up from happening in the first place!
If you are facing any kind of plumbing-related problems, then you must take the help of a professional plumber. For this, Queen Charlotte Plumbing is always there for your plumbing services, including garbage disposal, leaky faucet repair, getting rid of sewer gas smell, and many other services within affordable prices and experienced licensed plumbers in this field.
Our service is available 24/7. You are just one simple call away from availing of our great services. Just dial our number at 704-707-3339 and get your estimation or quote free of cost today from Queen Charlotte Plumbing.
