Whether your kitchen sink smells bad or there is a bad smell coming from your bathroom sink, you’re probably wondering why this unpleasant scent is filling your home and how to get rid of it as quickly as possible. At Jack Ward and Sons Plumbing Company, we can help you identify and eradicate the odor – either on your own or with the help of our drain cleaning services. 

4 Reasons for Foul Sink Drain Smells in Your Kitchen or Bathroom

1. Bacteria Accumulation

Drains work pretty hard on a regular basis. If you have a garbage disposal, consider how much food you put down the drain every week, or the amount of soap, hair, and other particles that make their way down your bathroom sink or tub each day. Eventually, these substances can clog and attract bacteria, which releases a nasty odor. Even without clogging, all of that gunk can still accumulate and cause bacteria growth, explaining the bad smell coming from your sink drain. 

2. Clogged Sewer Vent

If your water isn’t draining properly and you notice a foul odor as it rises, your sewer vent may be obstructed, which can also release gases into the home. This is more common in houses that are not frequently used, so if your vacation home or lake house has a rank smell, you may need to unclog your sewer vent or contact a professional plumber to clear it for you.

3. Mold and Mildew Growth

If you have an untreated leak under your kitchen or bathroom sink, mold and mildew can easily start forming in your pipes or behind your walls, putting off an unpleasant, musty scent. More importantly, exposure to mold contamination is dangerous and can cause health issues, such as wheezing, red, itchy eyes, stuffy noses, headaches, and even asthma attacks and serious allergic reactions for those with mold allergies. 

4. Sulfates in Water System

Lastly, if you turn on your sink or shower and smell a pungent odor, frequently described as rotten eggs, know that this problem is fairly common and is due to the presence of sulfates in your water. Sulfates are not necessarily toxic, but they can cause clogging and other plumbing problems, stain clothing, and affect the digestive system. At Jack Ward and Sons Plumbing Company, we install whole house water filtration systems to ensure that you have odorless, purified water in your home.

How to Get Rid of Smells From Sink Drains 

Now that you know some probable reasons for your unpleasant drain sink smells, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of them for good. For your kitchen, try cleaning and unclogging your garbage disposal with a few common household items. If you use your disposal frequently, we recommend the following technique about once a week:

  • Add a few ice cubes and some salt to your drain, and run your disposal for about 15 seconds. The ice and coarse salt work together to remove food particles and sanitize your drain. 
  • Toss 2-3 lemon peels to your disposal and turn it on. Keep cold water running as you do this. The citrus will purify the scent in your kitchen. 

For clogged bathroom drains, this tried and true method could do the trick:

  • Mix ⅓ cup of baking soda with ½ cup of vinegar.
  • Pour the fizzing mixture down your drain and let it sit for about an hour.
  • Flush your drain with hot water.

If the odors do not dissipate or they return, you most likely have a more urgent drain plumbing issue and will need to contact a professional, like Jack Ward and Sons Plumbing Company. For leaks, we recommend reaching out to us for leak detection and repair services as soon as possible.

We Provide Sink Drain Plumbing Services in Nashville

Our local plumbing company is available every day for professional drain plumbing services in the Nashville area. If you need bathroom or kitchen sink drain plumbing assistance right away, feel free to get in touch with us.