Plumbing Smells and How to Get Rid of Them
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Plumbing Smells and How to Get Rid of Them
Do you ever find that your kitchen sometimes has a rotten smell? At times, the plumbing odor can be so pungent that simple tasks like cooking or washing dishes become unbearable. Often, what you're sniffing isn't the overfilled garbage—it's hydrogen sulfide gas, which is produced by bacteria from contaminated water and sewage.
The good news? While the smell can be downright putrid, it's usually fixable. In many cases, the remedy can be as simple as disinfecting the problem area or performing a basic drain cleaning.
Want to learn how to get rid of that plumbing smell and eliminate household plumbing odors? We've got you covered.
What Causes Plumbing Smells
Ok, if you've landed on this page, you're likely wondering: why does my plumbing smell like sewer? Plumbing odors can come from several sources. It's identifying the cause that's the first step toward solving the problem.
Dirty or Clogged Drains
Over time, soap scum, grease, food particles, hair, and more can build up in your pipes. Bacteria can feed on this matter and produce unpleasant plumbing odors.
Try this: Run hot water down the drain for one minute. Next, drop ¼ to ½ cup of baking soda, then add 1 cup of vinegar. Let the solution sit and bubble for 10 to 15 minutes. Flush again with hot water. Repeat if needed.
Dry P-Traps
The P-trap is the curved pipe underneath your sink. It holds a small amount of water that creates a seal and prevents sewer gases from rising into your home. But if the sink hasn't been used in a while, the seal can break, leading to odors.
Try this: Run water down the drain for one minute to refill the trap. If the smell persists after running water, call a professional for service.
Blocked Plumbing Vents
If you have gurgling toilets, slow drains, and sewer odors, you may have a blocked plumbing vent. Smells rise when the vents are blocked by leaves, debris, or animal nests—and don't let gases escape properly. Instead, they retreat into your home and sometimes make the plumbing smell like sewer.
Try this: Visually inspect your roof and remove any debris you see. However, calling in a professional, especially if your toilet is gurgling, is your best option here.
Broken Toilet Seat/Pipe Seals
Toilets and other plumbing fixtures use wax seals or rings to create airtight connections. If these seals break, they can release sewer gases back into your home.
Try this: Check for water pooling around the toilet base, and make sure the toilet isn't loose from the floor. If the toilet is leaking, is movable with a slight shove, or has a strong smell, you may have a broken seal. We recommend calling a Total Comfort professional to help.
Bacteria in the Drain or Water Supply
Bacteria in your drain or water supply can cause nasty odors.
Try this: Fill a cup with cold water from the smelly sink, take it outside, and smell it. Next, fill another glass with hot water from the same tap, and sniff it once again. Repeat the same process for the other sinks in your home.
Sniff test:
All glasses smell bad (hot and cold water): Your water supply is likely contaminated.
Only hot water smells: The issue is likely with your water heater.
Neither glass smells, but the sink area does: The problem is probably inside that specific drain.
Rotten Egg Smell
Natural gas has a strong, unpleasant sulfur-like odor (like rotten eggs).
If you notice your plumbing smells like rotten eggs, and it's strong and widespread, you may have a gas leak. This can be very serious and is considered an emergency.
Be sure to:
Leave the home immediately
Contact your gas company
Do not use electrical appliances or switches
Do not light matches
When Should I Call a Professional?
As we've outlined in this blog, some plumbing odors have easy DIY steps to help remedy the situation. If problems persist after these tips, it's best to call a Total Comfort professional for service.
Call us right away for these problems:
Suspected gas leak
Recurring sewer smells
Odors in multiple drains
Slow drains or backups that won't go away
Visible leaks
Odors from the water heater
What If My Plumbing Still Smells?
If you've tried basic troubleshooting and DIY steps and your plumbing odors still don't subside, schedule service with Total Comfort. Our experienced pros can diagnose the cause and restore comfort to your home quickly.
Call 540-369-6174 to schedule an appointment today!