Five Reasons Your Sink Drain May Smell & How To Fix It

Have you ever gone to wash your hands and noticed an unpleasant odor wafting from your sink? Poorly smelling drains can be off-putting and difficult to address, so it’s important to know the root cause of these odors. The root causes of a smelly sink drain are varied and can range from minor issues to more complex plumbing problems. Some of the reasons your sink smells so unpleasant include:

1. Accumulation of Food Debris

One of the most common reasons for a foul-smelling sink drain is food debris. Over time, small particles of food can accumulate and get trapped in the drain. Unfortunately, this creates ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive. These bacteria can lead to the food decomposing, which will lead to an unpleasant odor in your kitchen sink.

The best ways to prevent this issue are to avoid putting food down your drains when possible, regularly clean your sink, and use a drain strainer to catch any food particles.

2. Buildup of Grease and Fat

Cooking oils and fats often find their way down the kitchen sink, creating a sticky residue on the pipe walls. As these substances solidify, they can trap food particles and become an environment for bacterial growth, leading to unpleasant smells.

To combat this, avoid pouring cooking oils and fats down the sink and instead dispose of them in a separate container.

3. Improperly Installed P-Trap

The P-trap, a curved section of pipe beneath the sink, is a vital component in preventing sewer gases from entering your home. If the P-trap is improperly installed or if there are leaks in the connections, it can compromise the water barrier and allow odors to escape.

If you think your P-trap is the cause of unpleasant smells, inspect it for any signs of leaks or misalignment. If you notice anything wrong, call a professional plumber for repairs.

4. Stagnant Water

Stagnant water in the P-trap or other parts of the drain system can contribute to foul odors. The P-trap is designed to hold a small amount of water to create a barrier that prevents sewer gases from entering your home. If this water evaporates or if there’s a blockage preventing proper water flow, odors from the sewer can infiltrate your sink.

To ensure stagnant water isn’t sitting in your pipes, regularly run water down the drain to maintain the water barrier in the P-trap.

5. Mold & Mildew Growth

Drain pipes are dark, damp environments, and dark and damp areas are where mold and mildew thrive. The moist conditions in your drain pipes and the presence of organic matter can easily lead to mold growth.

To avoid your sink smelling mildewy, regularly clean and disinfect it to prevent mold and mildew buildup.

Call Dean’s for Drain Cleaning in the Twin Cities

When your drains start to smell, turn to the professionals at Dean’s Home Services for expert remedies. Our team of professional plumbers in the Twin Cities area provides drain cleaning services that will leave your drains smelling fresh. We also use innovative methods, such as high-powered hydro jetting, to clear blockages deeper within your drain or sewer lines. With Dean’s on the job, unpleasant odors will be a thing of the past.

Call Dean’s today at 763-515-4852 to schedule drain cleaning services in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or the surrounding areas.