No More Stink: 5 Hacks for Fresh Drains
Few things are more unpleasant than getting a whiff of smell when you turn on the tap or flush the loo. According to this 2021 report published in the National Library of Medicine, the worst indoor air quality comes from the bathroom.
That’s why when you come across such, you may be tempted to search online for “professional plumbers near me” to get them on the case. But, before you take these drastic steps, it may be a great idea to give some of these tricks a go.
Everyday household items like boiling water, baking soda, vinegar, and salt can indeed get your sinks, tubs, and showers smelling fresh again. How is that possible? Check out these five handy DIY plumbing tips recommended by the experts themselves:
1. Use boiling water
One of the most straightforward DIY plumbing tips for smelly drains is dumping boiling water down them. Heating up about a litre of water and slowly pouring it down the stinky drain while it’s still boiling can help dissolve gunk, hair, and grease clogging your drains.
2. Try vinegar and baking soda
You likely already have white vinegar and baking soda at home. Mix up your own drain-cleaning solution by pouring 1⁄2 cup baking soda down the slow-draining or completely clogged drain, followed by 1⁄2 cup white vinegar.
The acidity of the vinegar combined with the alkaline baking soda creates an effective one-two punch. These bubble and fizz, generating pressure to loosen blockages. Let the chemical reaction sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with hot water.
The acid in vinegar dissolves gunk-like hair and soap scum, while the alkalinity of baking soda further helps break things down. This DIY cure tackles nasty bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room smells.
3. Use a salt and hot water flush
Table salt also makes an inexpensive yet effective stinky drain cleaner. Pour 1⁄2 cup down the smelly drain with two quarts of boiling water.
The salt grains act as an abrasive to scrape off stuck-on gunk inside your pipes while the hot water melts and flushes away the buildup. On the other hand, the combination of heat and abrasion can disintegrate blockages.
Wait 10 minutes before running more hot water to finish the job. Salt works with all drain types, including tub, sink, and floor drains. Don’t overdo this treatment, as salt residues might eventually corrode metal pipes.
4. Attempt P-trap scrubbing
The U-shaped curve in your sink’s plumbing is called the P-trap, and that’s where scum often collects. When enough gunk builds up here, odours can enter living spaces, so by removing and cleaning this hardware – it can sometimes stop the nasty smells.
Start by placing a bucket or towel beneath the pipe. Unscrew the fasteners, holding them in place with pliers or your hands. Carefully remove the P-trap and inspect inside & scrub away debris clogging it.
Use an old toothbrush, vinegar, or baking soda paste, then rinse thoroughly before reattaching. With P-traps cleared, water and waste can drain freely again. This can eliminate sewer gas smells back through your fixtures.
5. Consider a DIY chemical drain cleaner
You may need a more powerful, sulfuric acid-based chemical cleaner for the most challenging clogged and smelly drain issues. Hardware stores like Bunnings sell many different products.
They are specifically designed to eat away stubborn accumulations of hair, soap residue, and organic matter that collection systems hold onto. Look for formulations that cling inside pipes to break down materials that water alone cannot.
Follow product instructions carefully. Within 5-10 minutes, the powerful formula can clear the nastiest blockages and eliminate odours as airflow improves. You’ll witness bubbling, and then the drain should freely flow soon after.
Repeat treatments monthly to avoid future smells. Be wary of using too many corrosive chemical cleaners on older, less durable metal pipes against erosion.
When DIY methods fail, give a professional plumber a call
If you’ve tried these home remedies with no success, it’s time to call us to diagnose the issue and get the drains working properly.
With over a quarter of a decade of experience and some of the best professional plumbers in Sydney working with us, we are your best bet to deal with the plumbing problem.
So, don’t struggle with the blocked drains and the bad odours. Reach out to us today and give us a chance to solve all your plumbing problems!
