Reasons Your Sink Drain May Smell
There are many potential causes of bad drain smells. Most of them are related to clogs or to issues with sewer line fumes coming up through the pipes. Knowing what could be the problem can lead to a solution. Sometimes that means an easy fix that you can do at home yourself, and sometimes that means asking Northwest Indiana’s expert plumbers at Reichelt to take a look by calling (219) 322-4906.
Different Types of Clogs That Lead to Smells
All sink drains can succumb to clogging. Sometimes the clog is the direct source of the smell, such as food unable to be flushed away and beginning to rot inside the pipes. Other times, the original clog was formed by something that isn’t the direct cause of the smell. Possible sources of clogs include:
- Chunks of food
- Oil and grease
- Corrosion from pipes
- Natural matter (hair, wood, etc.)
Ways Sewer Line Fumes Come Up Through Pipes
There are multiple innovations in modern plumbing that are meant to keep bad smells from your sewer or septic tank away. Nothing is foolproof, though, and you could find yourself having to solve one of these issues:
- P-trap or U-bend malfunction – the curvy part of the drain pipe under the sink is there to form a water barrier which can allow things to be washed away but prevents air from bubbling up, so that means you need to make sure it’s not dry nor clogged
- Venting pipe clog – some plumbing systems run have a pipe that leads up to the roof to vent out the gas that can mix with the water that goes through sinks and toilets, so you want to make sure that vent doesn’t get clogged by leaves or other debris
- Sewer line clog – if you’re experiencing bad smells or slow drain in multiple appliances in your home, then it’s likely the section of your pipe that connects your plumbing to the sewer system is clogged and needs professional attention
When it comes to providing professional attention, Reichelt plumbers have been helping families and businesses across Northwest Indiana and Illinois for decades. Call (219) 322-4906 today to get the service you need.