Is Your Bathroom Smelly? Check Your Tub and Shower Drains
Have you recently noticed your shower or tub drain doesn't smell so fresh? A smelly shower or tub is never ideal but does not always mean you have a problem. Before you contact a plumber, you can check some things to help remedy the bad smell.
Bacteria in the Drain
A tub or shower drain is the best place for bacteria to grow. Over time, debris can build up in a bathroom drain and harbor bacteria. The bacteria eventually lead to mold and mildew development. To get rid of the smell, you can pour bleach into the drain and around the stopper. Allow the bleach to sit, then follow with some hot water.
Allow the drain to dry thoroughly. Once dry, see if you still notice a bad smell. If you still smell a foul odor, repeat the process once more.
Debris Buildup
Another issue that might cause the smell is debris in the drain. A drain may seem slow to fully drain water. If you notice your drains are slow, you probably have debris buildup on the walls of the drain.
All types of debris build up in tub and shower drains. Hair is often the main culprit for bad odors as hair holds onto anything smelly. Shampoo, soap, body oils, and anything else that goes down the drain can eventually sour and send the smell into the bathroom. You can try to remove the hair and debris with a plunger or snake.
P-Trap Problems
The p-trap is the curvy pipe that connects to the tub or shower drain. You have probably seen a p-trap under a sink. This pipe helps prevent sewer gas from coming back through the plumbing and into your house.
The p-trap is shaped to help retain water in the pipes. You never want the p-trap to be empty. Water in the p-trap blocks sewer gas from coming through the pipes and into the drain. Eventually, the p-trap may lose the water inside. If you start smelling a sulfur-like smell, the p-trap is likely empty or doesn't hold enough water to block the sewer gas.
You can check the p-trap yourself rather easily. First, look into the drain with a flashlight. You should be able to see some water. If you do not see water, the p-trap water level is likely too low.
You can add water to the p-trap to remedy the smell. Simply pour a few cups of water down the drain and wait a few minutes. Check the drain with a flashlight again to see if the water is there.
If water did not accumulate after you pour water into the drain, the p-trap is problematic. Call a plumber to check for a crack in the p-trap.
Vent Stack Issues
A clog in the vent stack may also contribute to a poor smell in the tub or shower. A tub and shower drain have vents that provide air into the pipes. If air is not able to move through the p-trap, the water will automatically suction out once air is introduced into the drain.
Vents connect to the p-trap, which both connect to the vent stack. The vent stack can clog with dirt, debris, animal nests, and anything else that can get into the area.
Clear the vent stack by removing the vent cover. Look into the vent to see if you can locate a buildup of debris. If you can, remove it. The smell should resolve itself.
If none of these solutions resolve the smell in your bathroom drains, please give us a call at Daytona Plumbing . We are happy to help you with all your plumbing needs.
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