Why does my sink drain smell like rotten eggs? You could have several different problems occurring, such as clogs or contaminated systems. Our experts provide plumbing services in Falmouth, VA, to determine the best path to remove persistent drain smells.
Learn more about the steps our professional plumbers can take when fixing smelly drains.
Sulfur Smells Could Indicate Clogged Drains in Your Falmouth, VA, Home
When you have partial clogs inside the bathroom drain pipes, wastewater moves slower than expected into the sewer system. When the water doesn’t move quickly, it can allow bacteria to build up in the pipes. Eventually, the bacteria will emit an odor that resembles rotten eggs (or sulfur) by generating hydrogen sulfide gas.
Normally, the P-trap should block these odors. (The P-trap is a curved piece of pipe in the drain line that uses trapped water to block sewer odors from flowing upward through the drain.) If the clog allows the bacteria to begin multiplying inside the P-trap, though, you’ll smell the odor.
Typically, removing the clog should take care of the problem. You may need to hire a plumber with a drain snake to eliminate the blockage and return the flow of wastewater to normal.
A Bathroom Sink that Smells Like Rotten Eggs Could Show a Problem With the Water Heater
Why does my sink drain smell like rotten eggs, and could it be coming from the water supply? Some sulfur odors could originate from the water supply instead of the drain.
If you primarily smell the sulfur odor when using hot water, the odor could be coming from the hot water heater. The anode rod inside the water heater, that prevents the tank from corroding and rusting could interact with sulfate ions in your water supply to create the odor.
Your plumber might need to replace a magnesium anode rod with an aluminum anode rod to stop the odor.
Your Sink Drain Has Gone Unused for a Long Time
If you rarely use one of the bathrooms in your house, you might notice the sulfur smell coming from the sink drain. The P-trap in this rarely used sink might lose the water it holds through leaks or evaporation. When you don’t use the sink very often, the P-trap won’t properly refill with drain water.
Instead of from a drain clog, the sulfur odor might be coming from deep inside your sewer pipes, but the dry P-trap can’t block it.
To determine whether the P-trap is the problem, try running water slowly in the sink for a few minutes. This should refill the P-trap. Visit the bathroom again in a day or two and see if the odor is gone.
If the odor returns, you might have a leak in the P-trap, requiring the help of a plumber.
The Drains Have a Buildup of Bacteria and Require Cleaning
Why does my sink drain smell like rotten eggs, and can I fix it by having the drains cleaned? Cleaning drains yourself with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda could eliminate the smell temporarily. If the problem is deep in the sewer pipes, though, you may need the help of professional plumbers to clean the sewer pipe.
Sulfur bacteria in pipes and hydrogen sulfide in plumbing can lead to this unwanted odor.
The P-Trap Is Not Installed Correctly in the Drain Pipe
If the person who plumbed your bathroom did not install the drain pipes properly, your P-trap might not work. An inexperienced or DIY plumber might skip the P-trap entirely. Without a properly functioning P-trap, sulfur odors in bathroom drains are common.
Contact a local plumber for an inspection of the drain pipe. If the P-trap is the problem, the plumber might be able to install one for you with a slight adjustment to the configuration of the bathroom drain pipe. Otherwise, you might need drain line repairs to put in a P-trap.
Let Us Fix Your Bathroom Drain That Has a Rotten Egg Odor in Falmouth, VA
Cleaning smelly kitchen pipes and bathroom drains can be a significant challenge for homeowners to do. Having odors that seem to emanate from deep within your sewer or plumbing pipes is one of the key signs you need a plumber.
At Professional Plumbing Solutions, we have the skills and tools to combat plumbing odors. And solutions from our plumbers are guaranteed to work. If you ask yourself, “Why does my sink drain smell like rotten eggs?” stop wondering and call us for an appointment today.