Chances are, you’re no stranger to smelly drains, most of us have encountered one at some point, but what causes drains to smell and what can you do to fix it? Well, we’re going to run through three drain problem areas and some quick fixes for each.
We’ll look at odours from kitchen sinks, bathroom drains and outdoor drains as well as some quick fixes you can try for each. Right off the bat, however, if your drain is concerning you or you’re already at your wit’s end with it, it’s time to call in the experts. That being said, let’s get into it.
Smelly drains from kitchen sink
Like most people, you probably ask quite a lot of your kitchen sink on a daily basis. Kitchen drains handle all kinds of food waste and grease, and, over time, this can cause blockages or fatty build-ups that can begin to rot and kick up a bit of a whiff.
Thankfully, smelly kitchen sink drains are usually pretty easy to fix. Your first port of call should be your kettle. Fill it, boil it and pour the hot water down your kitchen drain and repeat a few times before running your hot tap for a minute or two. In most cases, this will melt and dislodge any fatty build-ups.
If your drain still smells after this, your next step should be a domestic drain unblocking solution. You can get these easily from most supermarkets. Follow the instructions on the label and hopefully this should do the trick.If you’re still dealing with a smelly drain after this point, it’s time to pick up the phone and dial 01386 882324 – we’ll handle it for you.
Smelly drains from bathroom sinks
Unlike kitchen drains, smelly drains in your bathroom are likely caused by the accumulation of more solid materials such as hair or soap residue. To fix a smelly drain in your bathroom, you may be able to remove clumps of material with a simple drain snake tool. This won’t be the nicest task, but it should be relatively quick and easy.
Otherwise, you can always try removing the U-bend and clearing any debris or using a drain unblocking solution.
Again, if these DIY solutions don’t give you the results you need, it’s time to call in professional help. Get in touch with the expert team at Cotswold Drainage.
Smelly outside drains
Unfortunately, smelly drains outside are a different kettle of fish. Your outside drains connect directly to the public sewer network and are more difficult to access and assess. Blockages could be caused by a huge range of issues, from greasy buildups to materials washed in during a storm.
If you have a smelly outside drain, you will likely need a CCTV drain survey and the help of a trained professional with the right equipment to find and resolve the issue. Trying some of the DIY fixes listed above for kitchen and bathroom drains certainly won’t hurt, but you’re unlikely to find them quite as effective on your outside drains.
Say goodbye to smelly drains
We won’t lie, in many cases simple DIY fixes, like a kettle full of water or a bottle of drain unblocker from the supermarket, are all it takes to clear a pongy drain, but sometimes the only solution is to draft in the professionals.
At Cotswold Drainage, we have the trained, experienced staff and all the tools to get your drains smelling, well, like they’re not blocked and keep them that way. If you’ve run out of solutions or just out of patience, drop us a line and we’ll make all your drainage headaches go away.
You can call us on 01386 882324, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fill out our contact form here.
