How to Clean a Smelly Drain

There are few instances where you’ll put on your investigative hat faster than when you smell something stinky in your kitchen or bathroom. Here’s how to find and fix the source.

Common causes

• Food, grease, and soap buildup in the drain or P-trap
• A dry P-trap in a rarely used sink or shower (very common in Arizona’s dry heat)
• Biofilm in the overflow hole of a bathroom sink
• A blocked or damaged plumbing vent
• A sewer line problem

Step-by-step cleaning

1. Run hot water for a minute to loosen buildup.
2. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar.
3. Cover the drain and wait 15 minutes.
4. Flush with a kettle of hot water.
5. Clean the stopper and overflow with a small brush.

Arizona tip: refill dry traps

In the desert, water in rarely used drains evaporates quickly, letting sewer gas into the home. Run water in guest bathrooms and floor drains every couple of weeks, especially if you’re away for the summer.

If the smell persists, call Baja Plumbing Co. A persistent sewer odor can signal a vent or sewer line issue that needs professional attention.