In our most recent plumbing blog, we talked about why your sink stinks. We mentioned a few sources that you can look into to narrow down the source of that terrible odor. To be brief, a smelly stink can occur due to your garbage disposal, problems with the sink trap, an inoperable plumbing vent, or a sewage backup. Today, we’re going to fix those problems. Here’s our advice on how to stop sink stink, as presented by InSink Plumbing, your Illinois source for plumbing services.
Stinky Garbage Disposal
If you have a stinky garbage disposal, you’re in luck! Okay, well you’re not in luck, but the solutions are pretty easy. First of all, there are a number of products out there to get rid of sink stink, and there are even some ‘home remedies’ for stinky drains. Head to your local grocer and take a look at cleaning solutions. Some solutions specifically target food debris and bacteria without wearing at your drainage pipe. These solutions are the most powerful option, and they’re sure to kick sink stink to the curb.
You can also try lemons, oranges, ice cubes, or vinegar and baking soda if you’re in a pinch and any of these items laying around. With the lemons and oranges, you’ll want to slice them into eighths or smaller. Then throw them down the drain, run the tap, and turn on the garbage disposal. The natural acid should attack any bacteria, and the peels help to knock food debris down the drain. Do the same with ice cubes.
If you have vinegar and baking soda, take the baking soda and pour half a cup down the drain. Next, add one cup of vinegar. Give the mixture a few minutes to work its magic. Then turn on the disposal as you turn the tap on with hot water.
Bad Sink Trap
As we mentioned in our last blog, your sink trap can be dried out, it can be leaky, or it may not exist altogether. If you have either of the latter two problems, then it’s time to get with your Illinois plumber here at InSink. We’ll stop by and fix your leak or install a new If, however, your sink trap is dried out, the solution is simple. Just turn on the tap. Water will fill the U in the pipe, and it will keep sewage fumes from pouring out of your drain. If you still smell a bit of stink, try the vinegar and baking soda solution above to make sure that all bacteria is cleared out.
Inoperable Plumbing Vent or a Backup
If you have a sewage backup, you’ll know it, and you’ll probably notice the smell first. If you see sewage in your sink or bubbling out of any drain, get in touch with us right away for our emergency plumbing services. Do not run anymore water through your drainage pipes. Avoid running water at all costs. That means no showers, no turning on the faucets, and yes, no toilet flushing. You’ll make your sewage overflow further, and that can damage your property – not to mention it downright stinks. We’ll come by, assess the source of the problem, and snake your pipes to return the wonderful power of drainage to your home.
If you’ve identified that the aforementioned problems aren’t the source of your sink stink, you may have narrowed it down to an inoperable plumbing vent. Plumbing vents give sewage gas a good escape route if pressure builds in your drainage pipes. If a plumbing vent is blocked for whatever reason (a squirrel, a nesting bird, debris, etc.), then you’ll have to clear that vent to keep smelly gas from bubbling out of your drains. We can help. Again, call on our plumbers if you think you have a blocked plumbing vent.
