Imagine this: You’re finally home after a long day at work. You grabbed the coziest towel and PJ set from the wardrobe and as you step in your shower, a foul smell takes ruins your mood. Not a nice thought, right?
People often associate foul smells with toilets, clogged sinks, or unflushed toilet bowl. But there’s another plumbing fixture that might be releasing the pungent, foul whiff. A shower drain is similar to a sink drain, but fixed to floor, connecting your bathroom to the internal water flow system. It’s a vital part of your residential plumbing system as it provides a passage to water to flow outside the system without retention. Shower drains can release foul odors for many reasons.
Fortunately, most of these issues are fixable. Let’s dig deeper and get to know the most common reasons of a smelly shower drain.
1. Clogs
Drain stoppers or strainers can accumulate buildup, debris, hair, toothbrush bristles, sponge residue, grease, or scum, leading to clogs and disrupted water flow. Over time, the gunk increases in volume and starts releasing dingy smells.
To unclog your shower drain, remove the strainer or the stopper with a Phillips screwdriver. Put on a pair of gloves and use hot soapy water and a long bristle brush to clean the strainer. Make sure to reach the end of drain pipe and remove all the scum. This will not only ensure a smooth water passage, but also eliminate the filthy smell.
2. Mold or Mildew Growth
Another common reason that causes smelly shower drain is mold and mildew growth alongside the drain pipe. Darkness and moisture fuel the growth of mold and mildew and therefore, it’s very likely that they build up inside shower drains.
The risk of mold growth increases if the shower drain stopper or the strainer isn’t fixed properly or the drain doesn’t cover the opening with adequate sealing. Seal gaps are an ideal spot foe mold and mildew growth and moisture build up.
3. Arid P-Trap
A “p-trap” is the twisted part of a grooveduct that attaches a fixture’s drain to the rest of your drain structure. It’s called a “p-trap” because it bends in a unique p or u figure. The purpose of this distinctive p-traps curve is so they can clasp and hold a portion of the water and air bubbles that drains through them.
A malfunctioning p-trap releases rotten eggs or sewer-like gases caused by the standing water inside the curved pipe.
How to Tackle Shower Smells?
Now that you know the most common reasons of a smelly shower drain, make an attempt to identify the type and source of unpleasant smell you’re experiencing. Shower drain odors can be similar to the smell of rotten eggs, sulfuric acid, mold, or seepage.
Once you’ve identified the cause, use the tips mentioned in this blog to fix your unscented glory. If it continues to smell, call in a professional plumbing service right away!
Professional Plumbers Available 24/7 for All Your Plumbing Needs in Fort Worth, TX
A shower drain emergency can’t wait till next day. We, at Pro Serve Plumbers, are accessible 24/7/365 to fix your home’s leaky spouts and cracked pipes. Our specialists are well-equipped with up-to-date tools to ensure supreme efficacy of plumbing repairs.
Contact us now at +1-817-244-0614 or learn more about our services here.
