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Kitchen Sink Smells Like Sewage
When your kitchen sink smells like sewage or your bathroom sink smells like a sewer, you may need to use this as a sign it is time to get your drain lines cleaned. Though many homeowners can become worried about what this may mean, the help of a professional may be all that you need to do to restore your home to an odor-free area. What’s more you may be able to avoid costly home insurance claims by tackling this problem early on.
What Is That Sewer Smell in the House?
Most of the time, when your sink smells bad, it is because there is decomposing food or particles trapped in the sink’s drain lines or in the home’s sewer lines. Because these products create a strong odor and gas as they breakdown, it is very common for this to happen. However, it also means it is time for you to pinpoint what is happening and to get those lines and drains cleaned before the condition worsens. Over time, it can cause a backup, which can lead to leaks or a flooding of your home.
If you have a sewer smell in your house, work with a plumber to learn where it is coming from. Your plumber can take a closer look at what is happening and why and then provide you with a solution for fixing it. Most of the time this will include cleaning out the drains and flushing the system. In some cases, you may need to have the home’s sewer lines flushed.
What you should not do, though, is to pour drain cleaner into your sinks or even into your toilet. This step can be damaging to the pipes located there. It eats away not only at the blockage but the interior lining and the pipe material. Over time, this causes a breakdown and can lead to an increased risk of flooding. Instead, turn to your plumber for help.
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Cleaning the Kitchen Sink Trap
One of the most common causes of a smelly kitchen like this is a buildup of material in the kitchen sink trap. This happens when rotten food or other material builds up in the U-shaped pipe that leads from your sink’s drain into the floor drain. It is very easy for particles of food to buildup in this area. When it happens, it can create a strong smell, often like gas or a sewer.
If you are handy enough to fix it on your own, you’ll need to remove the U-shaped drain pipe under your sink drain. Then, you’ll need to clean it out of all debris or replace it. Be sure to properly replace it and create a water-tight seal.
Getting Help with Sewer Gas Smell in a House or Bathroom
If you have a sewer smell or gas smell like this in your home, do not avoid getting help with it. The good news is that there are steps you can take to improve this, including flushing the lines. If the smell is present throughout the home, it may be coming from a buildup of material in the main sewer line, not the direct lines connecting to the sink. By having a licensed plumber flush the lines, it is possible to push any material stuck in them out. This can resolve the underlying cause of the problem quickly.
What to Do to Prevent Kitchen Sink Smells
There are several things you can do to prevent kitchen sink smells like this from occurring. First, make sure you use a drain plug to minimize the amount of whole debris that goes down into the sink drain. You can also use your garbage disposal after every use to help break up particles like this. This ensures they keep moving through the drains and away from your home. There are deodorizing products available that may offer some help as well.
Will Home insurance Cover Your Smelly Drains?
When a sewer line or drain breaks, your home insurance may help cover some of the costs associated with the cleanup. Your policy is not likely, on the other hand, to cover any type of drain cleaning or flushing. It also does not cover most plumbing repairs, which drain smells typically fall under. These types of services are considered the responsibility of the property owner as general maintenance.
If you have a drain smell of gas or any type of strong odor work with your plumber to get them cleaned out. This can help you avoid a larger, more devastating backup that creates flooding in your home. If that does happen, your home insurance company may offer some help to you for the cleanup.
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