There is nothing quite like starting or ending your day with a relaxing shower. But wait, what’s that smell? It’s time to fix those nasty shower drain smells. Not only will you enjoy greater comfort, but you also won’t worry about your guests smelling a foul odor.
Thankfully, there are several ways to pinpoint the source of your smelly shower drain so that you can fix it. Read on to learn some of the main reasons for smelly shower drains and ways to fix them.
What’s Causing Shower Drain Smells?
1) Clogged Drain
At the bottom of the shower, there is a strainer or stopper. This catches hair, scum, and anything else that could clog your plumbing. While this does a good job of collecting the gunk before it goes down the pipe, grime can build up over time, leading to unpleasant odors.
Start by checking the stopper for grime. Unscrew it and clean it off with soap and hot water or your tub cleaner of choice. While this can improve the smell, it’s best practice to clean out the scum from your drainpipe. Use an old toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies to help remove grime before replacing the strainer.
2) Mold Growth
Bathrooms have plenty of dark and damp places, which are perfect for mold and mildew to grow. Check your bathroom for mold and mildew that could emit a nasty smell. Mold can lead to smelly drains. Pull out the drain cover to clean it, and look between the tiles for mold.
If you see some, spray your drain pipe, cover, and tub with a mold and mildew remover. After everything is clean and dry, replace it. Dry your shower thoroughly, use fans, and even clean it biweekly to help prevent the mold from returning.
3) A Dry P-Trap
Under your bathroom sink is a curved drain known as the p-trap. It connects the sink drain to the rest of your pipes. The same type of piping is also found under your shower floor because it needs to catch and hold a small volume of water.
Without water in the p-trap, sewer gases can travel up through your drains, leaving a rotten eggs smell. To check if your p-trap is dry, you need to remove the drain cover and grab a flashlight for visibility. If there is no water, pour two cups of water down the drain and wait approximately one hour before checking it. If the water is gone, it’s time to call a plumber.
The Culprit: Clogged Drain Vents
A clogged drain vent is a common cause of a dry p-trap. Water enters your p-trap and pushes out air. The suction pulls water out of the trap if there’s no airflow. Blockages from hair and grime form in the vent stack, stopping air flow in the p-trap. While some blockages are easy fixes, some are more difficult and hazardous to access. This is where a professional plumber can help. They can inspect the pipes and use a drain snake to help remove the clog.
4) A Clogged Sewer Line
Not only is the smell of human waste unpleasant, but it can also be a huge health risk. That’s why it’s important to address any rotten egg smell in your bathroom because it could be a clog in a sewer line. That blockage can then even back up into your shower drain.
Common causes of a clogged sewer line include:
- Foreign objects
- Flushable wipes
- Hair build-up
- Soap scum
- Tree roots breaking pipes
There is no time to waste to fix this issue. The longer you wait, the increased risk of sewage spilling into your home or yard goes up. Hire a professional drain cleaner to remove the clog safely and swiftly.
Removing Clogs
Since a sewer line extends far beneath your home, you’ll need help from a skilled plumber to remedy it. Drain cleaning can drastically improve your bathroom smell and reduce the health risk associated with human waste gas.
Stop Shower Drain Smells at the Source
If you’re tired of foul smells in your shower, it’s time to fix it. The professional plumbers at AJ Alberts Plumbing is here to help. With over 30 years of experience serving our community, we provide fast turnaround time, high-quality plumbing services, and a 100% guarantee on all services provided.
Getting rid of shower drain smells is not only necessary for your comfort, but also for your health and hygiene. If you’re struggling with persistent shower drain smells, consider reaching out to the experts at AJ Alberts Plumbing. Our skilled plumbers have the tools, knowledge, and experience to diagnose and solve any plumbing issue that comes their way. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and discover how we can help you enjoy a fresh and clean shower experience.
