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The smell coming from your shower drain could be caused by a number of things. The good news is that this problem is pretty easy to fix once you figure out what’s causing the smell. If your bathroom drain smells like sewage, it could be because the drain line is clogged, the P-trap is dirty or dry, biofilm or mold is growing, or there are leaks in the drain lines that are in the ceiling, walls, or under the floor.

Shower drain smell: clogged drain lines

The shower drain line can get clogged up, which can cause bad smells to come out of it. Things like dirt, oils, hair, grime, and other debris can get stuck in the drain and make it impossible for other similar materials to get through.

Clogs take a while to form, so don’t expect to be able to watch them happen. You might not even be able to smell them. This mineral buildup, hair that gets stuck, and soap scum may start to smell bad after a few days or weeks.

We suggest that you get a drain stopper to keep your drains clear. This drain stopper can catch hair and other things that might have been washed into the drain line.

The strainer will smell bad if you don’t empty and clean it often, though. That’s because hairs, oils, dirt, and other things will get stuck in it and give off that smell.

Fix: Clean and clear the shower drain line.

If you think the smelly stuff is coming from a clog in your shower drain, there are a few different ways you can try to clear it out. A plumber’s drain snake can be put into the drain line to try to loosen or pull out the clog.

Make sure that the drain snake you buy has a hooked end that can grab hairs and other trash to help you pull the clog out. You should get a drain auger system that can chew through and into the clog with spinning force if all you want to do is move it around. Instead, you can spread the clog by running hot water down the drain to break up any oils that are stuck in it.

If you want to get the same results with chemical drain cleaners, you should know that they can damage the drain line. To get the most out of your chemical cleaners, make sure you read and follow the advice on the package.

The shower drain smells like a dirty or dry P-trap.

The P-trap for a shower drain is under the shower. This part of the plumbing is a U-shaped pipe piece that goes below the rest of the drain line. The U-shaped P-trap is meant to keep a small amount of water in the line so that sewer line gases don’t leak out of the drain.

It’s also possible for this pipe to gather grime, hair, and other things that make the shower drain smell bad. But the smell of sewage coming from your shower drain might not just be from a dirty P-trap. A clogged vent line or even a dry P-trap can make your shower drain smell bad.

Plumbing vents let air into the plumbing system so that waste and garbage can move through the pipes and out of the house. If the vent is broken, stuck, or blocked, the vacuum that is made can drain the P-trap and leave it empty. Now, nothing is stopping the smell of sewage from coming out of the shower drain.

Fix: Clean and sanitize the P-trap

For bad smells to stay out, it’s easy to clean and germ-kill a dirty P-trap. You can use strong chemical cleaners to get rid of any grime and dirt that is stuck in the P-trap, but there is another way to do it.

Add about a half cup of baking-soda, and then add another half cup of distilled white vinegar. Cover the drain opening with a rubber stopper and let the reaction happen inside it. This can get rid of any germs that are making the smell and any clogs in the drain line.

A jammed, blocked, or broken ventilation line is most likely to blame for a dry P-trap. Most people may not be able to fix this problem on their own, so we suggest finding a skilled plumber to do it.

shower drain smell

Shower drain smell: mold and biofilm buildup

Mold and biofilm look a lot alike, but they are not at all the same. Biofilm is made up of a living collection of bacterial waste. It looks a lot like grime, slime, or muck. It comes in different colors, but the most common ones are pink and orange.

Biofilm like this can build up in the drain and then spread to the shower, giving it a musty smell. A slimy substance with a glue-like texture that sticks to objects. Biofilm can be seen outside on rocks in the river or in birdbaths.

It can be hard to tell what kind of biofilm you’re working with because there are so many of them. Getting rid of it as soon as possible is what matters, though.

Fix: Clean and scrub to get rid of biofilm

Biofilm can smell so bad that it makes you not want to take a shower. You will need to break it up with a brush or something similar and scrub the area that it’s on and off. Wipe off as much of the biofilm as you can with a simple brush. Then, spray the area with an antimicrobial cleaner.

It’s not as easy to get rid of gunk from a drain line as it is from shower tiles. For this, you should use a paint roller cover instead of a brush because it is long and small enough to fit into the drain line.

Put an antibacterial cleaner on the roller cover, then put it in the drain line and turn it around to get rid of the biofilm. Make sure you take the roller cover out of the drain line often and rinse it in a bucket of hot, clean water. Then, put it back in the drain line until there are no more signs of biofilm when you take the cover off.

Related Content: Preventing Mold

Pipes That Leak

Not only can leaks in the drain lines make the shower drain smell like sewage, but they can also make the walls of the bathroom smell foul. It sends water and waste water to the main sink and away from the house. If there is a leak in the drain line, the wastewater will probably get into the ground and soak through the flooring and into the floors and walls.

The wastewater that leaks will do more than just smell bad if this problem isn’t fixed soon. It will damage the walls, framing, insulation, and anything else it comes in contact with. You need to fix this problem right away because of this. And even after the leak is fixed, the smell might not go away until the insulation and other damaged parts of the building are replaced.

Fix: Repair the pipes that are leaking.

It can be hard to figure out why the bathroom smells bad when the drain pipe is broken or leaking. It’s common for leaks to happen where two pipes meet or connect, but it can be hard to find this point because drain lines are often hidden in walls and floors. So, you might have to break through the bathroom floor or walls to get to the drain line and find the broken part.

Because the leaking wastewater could damage, rot, and speed up the growth of mold in the area, you will also need to fix any issues with the drywall, insulation, tiles, and other structures in the area. This is a very difficult job, so we suggest that you hire a professional plumber to find the break, fix the pipe, and suggest what you should do next.

It’s possible that you only need to fix the pipe and wall, but based on how bad the water damage is, you might also need to redo the whole bathroom to fix the issue for good. Get in touch with a plumber or someone who knows how to fix water damage.

FAQ’s

How do I stop my shower drain from stinking?

Pour 1 part bleach to 1 part water down the drain to remove the odor and buildup. Alternatively, pour 1 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup white wine vinegar. Cover the drain until the mixture fizzes, then flush with hot water.

How do I get the sulfur odor out of my shower drain?

Another alternative is to pour baking soda into the drain, then add vinegar and cover the drain with a stopper to let the vinegar and baking soda reaction to clear the clogged drain. This procedure will also disinfect and deodorize the drainage pipe, removing the rotten egg stench.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unblock a drain?

Consistent use of acidic liquids, such as vinegar, can hasten the corrosion of these metal pipes, resulting in compromised integrity and potential cracks or leaks over time. The combination between baking soda and vinegar can also produce salt, which can add to the corrosion process.

Can I pour bleach down my shower drain?

Pour some bleach into a cup and carefully pour it down the drain of your bathtub or shower. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes before flushing the drain with hot water. If you leave the bleach in for too long, it could damage your pipes.

Conclusion

Clovis Plumbing Services, a family-owned business, can provide quality workmanship and great rates when you need a plumber. Our experience and personalized attention ensure that we can manage any plumbing need, no matter what your job entails.

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