Why Does My Drain Smell and What Can Be Done About It
The common causes of smelly drains in homes and businesses across London and Essex, and how they are fixed. Call Rapid Drainage Services on 020 3488 6280.
A bad smell from a drain is usually a sign that something is not working as it should, whether that is a dry trap, a partial blockage or a problem further along the pipe.
A dried out trap
Every sink, shower and floor drain has a trap that holds a small amount of water to block sewer gas from coming back up into the property. If a fitting is not used often, that water can evaporate, leaving a direct path for smells to travel up the pipe.
This is a common cause of odours in guest bathrooms, utility rooms and drains that are used infrequently, and is often easily fixed by running the tap for a short while.
Partial blockages and build up
Grease, food waste and soap residue trapped in a pipe will start to decompose, producing a persistent smell even if water is still draining away. This is one of the more common causes we find on kitchen drain call outs.
Common sources of drain odours
- Dried out or damaged trap seals
- Grease and food debris building up in kitchen waste pipes
- A blocked or poorly ventilated soil stack
- Damaged or displaced underground drainage allowing smells to escape
- Blocked or overflowing external gullies
When the smell points to a bigger problem
A smell that persists after checking the trap and clearing obvious debris may indicate a problem further down the system, such as a cracked pipe or a fault with the venting. A CCTV drain survey is the most reliable way to see what is happening inside the pipework without excavation.
Getting to the source
If a drain smell has not resolved itself after basic checks, it is worth having it looked at rather than masking it with air fresheners. Our engineers carry out CCTV drain surveys, jetting and drain unblocking across London and Essex, with 24 hour emergency call outs available.