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What To Do About That Bad Drain Smell

Baking soda on a teaspoon

You come home one day and enter your house when it hits you. Your. Home. Stinks. You didn’t notice it before because you were staying home, but now that you have a few lung-fulls of air in you, you can’t avoid it. After a little snooping around, you realize that it’s your drains. You don’t know how or why your gutters are producing a stink, but you want it gone. Whether you’re dealing with rotting food, bacteria, or sewer gas in your pipes, you can follow a few simple steps to fix the problem.

A Plunger May Help Remove The Source Of The Smell

Before you start down the road to complicated procedures, it’s always worth trying to use your friendly household plunger. If you’re lucky, the issue causing your sewer odor may be a loose clog that needs a little push to get on its way down. In this case, a plunger may be all that you need.

Vinegar Home Remedies

Most odors require a little extra effort beyond simple plunging. While this procedure shouldn’t occur often, a vinegar and baking soda cleanse is usually enough to combat unpleasant odors in your drains. Start by applying some dish soap to the drain and then chase that with a good amount of boiling water. Follow this with a cup of baking soda (not powder) and follow it with an equal amount of distilled white vinegar. The instant foaming action will not only help to kill bacteria and deodorize your drain, but it might also loosen clogs. Follow this with some more hot water and a good plunging, and you’ve got yourself a handy solution to most drain odor issues.

Check U-Bends Near The Smell

Your plumbing has safeguards to prevent sewer gas from wafting into your home. The u-bend is one such countermeasure. As the name implies, the u-bend is a portion of pipe shaped like a U. This makes it impossible for the rising gas to travel downwards and eventually out through your sink. However, this u-shape that keeps smells out often also keeps debris trapped. Therefore, there is a good chance that the smell in your drain is from food scraps, oil, and hair trapped in the u-bend. To remedy this situation, all you have to do is remove this portion of your pipes, clean it, and then reinstall it.

Have Professionals Clear Ventilation Obstructions

All plumbing is vented in one way or another as ventilation helps maintain the proper pressure level in the system. The ventilation also benefits, ensuring that the worst of your sewer odor never makes it into your home. However, you might find that sewer gas is making its way into your home regardless. In this situation, you’ll need a professional plumber to assess the condition of your ventilation.

Inspect Your Sewer Line For Damage

The only cause for copious sewer gas in your home is a backed-up or damaged sewer line. Unfortunately, there’s no way to deal with this on your own. If you suspect that your sewer line is damaged, your best choice is to leave the job in the hands of professionals. They will perform extensive cleaning, relining, and replacement services using state-of-the-art technology to ensure that you never suffer from the same sewer odor again.

With Our Help, The Odor Removal Process Is As Good As Done

Most foul drain odor is easy to clean up with a few household staples. It is only when the odor is intense or stubborn that you need the help of a professional. From drain cleanings to hydro-jet services, Done Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electric has you covered with plumbing solutions. The next time you have problems with your pipes, know that our team of experienced professionals has your back.

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