Numerous Sydney people report that their shower drains have an odour, which can dilute the freshness and appeal of their bathrooms. Common suspects, such as accumulated hair, soap scum buildup, and hidden mould or mildew in damp settings, are likely responsible for this smell. A dry P-trap, the bent pipe below the drain that’s designed to hold water to exclude sewer gases, is another frequent offender. Bad odours might sneak into your bathroom when this dries out. Quick tackling of shower drain smells and maintenance of your bathroom smelling clean depend on an awareness of various factors. If you’re looking for broader plumbing advice, here are 10 essential tips to clear any blocked drain that can also help prevent those nasty odours.
Quick Fixes For A Clogged Or Smelly Shower Drain
Use Boiling Water: In almost every case, the waxy clog or unhealthy odour in a slow shower drain can be cleared with a simple spill of boiled water. The heat of the water melts some soap scum; water loosens some other minor impediments and washes away some residue that creates odours with it.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution: Choose a natural solution by dumping half a cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. This concoction will fizz and bubble away, breaking down any building grime, hair, or grease that might be stuck in the pipes. Flush after ten to fifteen minutes with hot water to wash it all through.
Commercial Drain Cleaner: If nature fails, trust a commercial cleaner-but remember to ascertain that it will not harm your pipes and always follow the instructions given on the container; wearing protective gloves is always a good idea. These cleaners work on tougher clogs and bacteria that cause bad smells.
For more solutions to sink-related issues, check out this guide on how to unblock a blocked sink drain.
While these quick fixes work on an interim basis, one must follow maintenance. If the drain perpetually begets clogs or smells odoriferous, cleaning of the drain trap might be in order or call the drain plumber to ensure a thorough inspection and solution.
Smelly Shower Drain Deep Cleaning Methods
Remove and clean the drain cover: Begin by unclogging the drain cover if there is one, and then wash it. Hot water needs to be employed to wash away the soap scum, the dirt, and the hair thoroughly. An old toothbrush is used for the removal of the caked buildup. A vinegar solution soaks and dissolves mineral deposits and destroys bacteria.
Use a drain snake to remove hair clogs: To drain out hair clogs, insert a flexible cleaning device or drain snake through the drain opening. To pull out soap scum buildup, trapped hair, and dirt that have collected in the pipe, turn slowly and push it. Handle the snake gently, and dispose of trash in a trash bag. Keep doing this until the snake appears clean.
Disinfectant brush and scrub: A long, narrow brush is to be employed, and after removing clogs, dipped in vinegar and baking soda or disinfectant, scrub the inside of the drain. From here, bad odours and lodged grime are eliminated, and bacteria are destroyed. Loose debris flushes out by running hot water down the drain. Utilise a disinfectant, spray it on the cover of the drain and around the drain and then wipe it to dry it. Remove your bathroom of dirt by cleaning it on a daily basis so that it keeps your bathroom fresh and odour-free by having it unblocked.
Smelly Shower Drain Natural Odour Neutralisers
Lemon and Baking Soda: Take a fresh lemon, pour its juice directly into the drain. Then add half a cup of baking soda on top of it. Let it work for about 15-20 minutes. The acid from the lemon and deodorising power of baking soda get rid of the waste that produces the smell, and after that, a nice citrus fragrance remains.
Essential oils (optional): After the lemon and baking soda cleaning, a potential step is to put a few drops of essential oils like tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus in the drain. The essential oils have an antibacterial property, and they also mask the smell of the room with their fragrance, them if there is any odour left behind.
Enzyme drain cleaners: A good option is enzyme drain cleaners for a deeper environmentally friendly environment. These are natural, non-toxic enzymes and bacteria that keep the drain clean by removing all the obstructions. They help in dissolving the clogs by the use of strong chemicals such as sulfuric acid or lye.
Smell Preventive Measures For Shower Drain
Use a Hair Catcher: To prevent hair (and other detritus) from running down your drain and ultimately clogging up your pipes, buy a cheap hair catcher or drain screen for a few dollars and install it on your shower.
Weekly Drain Flush: To maintain pipes in a fresh and clean state, weekly do a shower drain flush with a stream of hot water to loosen and break up soap residue, grease, and small dirt.
Clean Drain Cover: To prevent dirt, soap scum, and clogged hair and debris from accumulating, periodically remove and clean, periodically the drain cover. This easy, refreshing cycle will discourage and eliminate setbacks in buildup and nasty smells.
When To Call A Shower Drain Plumber
- Lingering Odour: If you notice an unpleasant smell in your drainage which won’t go away even after cleaning and using remedies, you may need a professional assessment.
- Possible Sewer Gas Leak: If the lingering smell is extremely strong, similar to rotten eggs, you may have a sewer gas leak, which is a serious health hazard needing an urgent inspection.
- Bad Signs: Water stains, slow drainage, bubbling or gurgling noises, or even water dripping around pipes are indicators that there may be damage to your plumbing system.
- Repeated Clogged Drain: If you do find yourself with repeated blockages, then there may be a blockage in the pipe, which a proper plumber must address.
- Old Plumbing: If you believe your pipes are armoured or getting old, it may be a good time for a professional assessor to inspect this work.
Safety Tips For Shower Drain Smell Removal
- Avoid mixing potent chemicals: Mixing cleaners such as bleach and ammonia can result in toxic fumes being emitted that are not safe to inhale. Clean a cleaner at a time and inspect the labels at all times.
- Put on rubber gloves: Prevent your skin from coming into contact with strong chemicals, hot water, or bacteria by wearing rubber gloves when cleaning drains or bathrooms. Prevent irritation and chemical burns accidentally.
- Ventilate the bathroom: Open windows or switch on the exhaust fan to get some fresh air. Ventilation is useful in the proper dissipation of fumes and ensures that you are safe while cleaning with chemicals.
Conclusion
Getting rid of shower drain odours is easy with fast solutions such as hot water, baking soda, and vinegar. Deep drain cleaning requires using a drain snake, a hydrojet and sanitising it from time to time. Always seal the drain cover properly to prevent hair and debris to keep the bathroom fresh and hygienic. Drain cleaning should become part of your household routine for long-term benefit and smell-free drains.
