Are you tired of that awful stench coming from your bathroom? A smelly shower drain can be really gross and a huge annoyance!
After you come home from a long day of work, you deserve a nice, relaxing bath. But a smelly shower drain will keep you from getting that much-needed relaxation. Instead, the moment you enter the shower, you will be greeted with its disgusting odour.
What is the cause behind this strong smell? There can be several reasons for it, and in this article, we have covered a few of them. So, if you are plagued by this problem and want to know how to fix it, this brief informative guide will help.
Let’s get going then!
4 Reasons Why Your Shower Drain Smells
1. Clogged Drains
A clog is one of the most common reasons behind a smelly shower drain!
On that note, your drain can get blocked due to several reasons. There may be an accumulation of soap and grease in the shower drain, which eventually gets deposited as a sticky slime in the pipelines. This slimy deposit not only blocks the drain but also produces an awful smell.
The accumulation of hair in the pipelines can lead to a clogged drain as well. As more hair accumulates in the pipes, it will cause a blockage and start giving off a foul smell.
In addition, a shower drain may get clogged if dirt, sand or other small objects get stuck in it. And once this happens, it will begin smelling as the water starts to back up.
2. Bacteria And Mould
Another significant reason why your shower drain may smell is because of the growth of bacteria and mould. They typically thrive in moist and dank environments, and the shower drain is, therefore, an excellent breeding ground for them.
Over time, they can form a slimy biofilm on the inner lining of your shower drain, while feeding off of anything that gets washed down the drainage system. As these substances decompose, they will start to give off an unpleasant odour.
3. Damaged Or Leaky Pipelines
Damaged or leaky pipes in your shower can also give rise to smells. If your shower drain has not been installed correctly or the joints have not been adequately sealed, the wastewater may leak out of it. This wastewater will eventually start giving off unpleasant smells as more of it leaks through the pipeline.
Additionally, if the water pressure in your shower drain is too high, the pipes may burst. The shower drain may also experience damage due to corrosion and invasive tree roots, especially if they are located underground. In all of these cases, water will start leaking out of the drain pipes and give rise to bad odour.
4. Dirty Or Dry Pipelines
A dirty or dried-up pipe may give off an unpleasant smell as well, although it is not as common as some of the aforementioned reasons. More specifically, the P-trap or S-trap of a shower drain may dry up and become dirty.
These drain parts are designed to keep the gases and odour from the main sewer line from reaching your shower. But when they dry up or become dirty, their functionality gets affected, which, in turn, enables these gases to come out through the shower drain.
How To Deal With A Smelly Shower Drain?
Once your shower drain starts to smell, it is essential to diagnose the problem as soon as possible to identify the reason behind it. If you determine the cause, then you can take appropriate steps to eliminate the smell.
In this regard, some of the best possible solutions for a smelly shower drain have been discussed below.
1. Using A Drain Snake
A drain snake is a plumbing instrument that is used for clearing out blockages from pipelines. Therefore, you can insert a drain snake inside the shower pipelines and clear out the blockage that might be giving rise to the smell.
2. Using Baking Soda And Vinegar
You can safely clear out soap, grease and mineral deposits from your shower drain by using a solution of baking soda and vinegar. Pour the ingredients down the drain and leave them undisturbed for a while. That will dissolve the blockage caused by these deposits and eliminate the smell.
3. Using High-Pressure Jets
If you use a high-pressure water jet, you can clear out the clog in your shower drain or deal with dried up and dirty pipes. This will eventually clear out the odour coming from the drain.
4. Pour Hot Water Through The Drain
Pouring hot water through your drain will kill off bacteria and moulds, thereby eliminating the smell coming from them. Besides, it will clear out clogs from the drain that usually give rise to these foul odours.
5. Use Disinfectants
You can use disinfectants to kill the bacteria and moulds growing in your pipeline.
6. Fix Damaged Or Leaky Pipes
If you have a damaged pipeline, you should get it fixed as soon as possible. Besides, make sure that the pipes are correctly installed and the joints and fittings are adequately tightened. This will prevent wastewater from leaking out.
Final Words
Odour coming from shower drains is a relatively common plumbing issue. But resolving them is not as simple since most shower drains are located underground or inside walls.
That’s why you should diagnose the issue first to identify the reason, which is where you will find our guide handy. We have also provided some possible solutions that you can use to mitigate this issue.
So, that brings us to the end of this brief guide. We hope that you found it to be an interesting and enlightening read.
With that being said, it’s time for us to say goodbye. Take care!
