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Anta
A bad odor in your home is unpleasant, embarrassing, and potentially unhealthy, as sewer gases contain bacteria. When the odor is coming from your sewer, it is important to eliminate it as soon as you can. The good news is that fixing a smelly sewer is often simple, but we won't lie... It could (sometimes) require a call to your trusted Toronto plumbers.
Reasons for Smelly Sink Drains
Dried-Out P-Trap - If you're lucky, it's only the p-trap. If the smell is only emanating from one drain, it might be nothing more serious than a dried-out p-trap. The p-trap is that curved piece of drainpipe under your sink. It captures a bit of water, forming a buffer against the sewer gasses that rise up from the drain. This usually occurs in drains that often go unused for weeks at a time, causing the water to evaporate and gases to seep into the home through the drain. Fixing it is as simple as pouring water into the sink to restore the barrier.
Sewer Line Breaks or Blocks - If several of your sinks are smelly, it could be possible that the sewer line is broken or blocked. If this is the case, you're bound to hear gurgling sounds and to see that your drains empty slowly. A major plumbing issue, you will need professional plumbers to take care of the issue immediately to prevent sewage from flooding into the basement or foundations.
Venting Issues - The p-trap is one type of vent, but most plumbing systems also use other venting methods. Most homes have venting pipes that exit through the roof, carrying sewer gasses out into the atmosphere. Sometimes, these vent pipes may become clogged by snow, animal nests or other types of debris. When the vent pipes are blocked, sewer gases will seep back into the home. It's not safe to clean the roof vents yourself; rather call Anta Plumbing for professional assistance.
Does It Smell Only When You Run Water?
Do this experiment
Catch water in a bowl, rather than allowing it to go down the drain. If you still catch the smell, it could be a problem with the faucet and not the drain. Here are some other things you could do:
- Unscrew the aerator cap and inspect it for gunk.
- See if you can clean out the barrel of the faucet.
- Spray bleach into the drain to kill nasty bacteria.
Finally, pour a large bucket of water down the drain, By filling the basin, you can displace the water in the trap and overflow drain. Nasty items that made it into the trap may float, so displacing the water will force the items down the drain along with it, leaving you with a fresher-smelling drain. If none of these fixes help, you should call Anta Plumbing, as our expert plumbers will be able to locate and repair the issue in no time.
