Why does my plumbing smell like rotten eggs and sulfer?

Smelly drains can be caused by a huge range of issues. Some possible causes include:

• a dry trap
• a build up of grease, fat, or debris in the drain
• a blocked drain or partially clogged drain
• damaged pipes
• faulty plumbing installations
• dirty garbage disposal systems
• food debris in the dishwasher

Dry drain trap

If you have not used a shower, bath or sink tap in a long time, the trap could become dry which can allow the sewer gas to seep into your home.

Solution:

Turn on the tap for a few minutes. Let the water fill the trap enabling it to do what it is designed for which is block sewer gases with a section of water.

Build-up of grease, fat or food debris in the drain

Food scraps can get stuck inside the drain line and as it decomposes it can start to smell bad, often like rotten eggs.

Solution:

• Boil water in a kettle.
• Pour a cup of baking soda into the smelly drain, and then pour a cup of vinegar in the drain.
• Carefully pour the kettle full of water into the drain.

This DIY hack should be able to clear the food stuck inside the drain pipe and eliminate the stench.

Blocked Drain

If your drains are partially blocked, it could create a foul smell as the objects inside the drain begin to decompose. In this case, it is advisable to contact your local plumbers who can identify and remove the blockages.

Faulty plumbing installation

A trap is a u-shaped bend located just below the drain entrance. The trap is designed to prevent the gases which can build up in the sewer pipes from escaping back up through the drain into your home. If the trap wasn’t installed properly there’s a high chance that the gases are able to travel up the drain. Speak to your plumber about correcting the installation of the trap which should fix the issue.

Dirty Garbage Disposal System

A dirty garbage disposal system can also make your house smell bad. If there’s food stuck in the disposal unit, the food will begin to decompose and produce a foul stench. It can also become clogged if you dump stuff like grease, potato peels, and fibrous foods in the unit. This can either clog the unit or the drain pipe. Follow your garbage disposal system manufacturer recommendation for regular cleaning to avoid this smelly problem.

Plumbing Vent

Plumbing vents are used to eliminate nasty odours and gases from the wastewater drains. If they become clogged, the gases cannot escape and can enter your home through the drains and leave your home smelly.

The vents can become clogged by leaves, dirt, bird nests or rodents. The strong sewage smell is not just gross but also harmful for your body. So call your local plumbers immediately.

If your plumbing vent is clogged, you may also notice other issues like gurgling toilets and slowly draining water. We advise that you speak to your plumber about repair options for plumbing vent issues.

Hot water systems

If the smell is strong only when you turn on your hot water supply, it could be due to a damaged or corroded anode rod in your hot water system. Anode rod breaks down sulphates in the water into hydrogen sulphide gas and prevents the water tank from corrosion. If the rod goes bad, you will be able to smell rotten eggs as soon as you turn on the hot water tap. A plumber will be able to replace the anode rod and it will solve your problem.

For more information and tips on getting rid of stinky drains - Why do my drains smell?