Plumbing disasters can wreak havoc on your life. They are among the worst kind of disasters a home can face and can bring life to a standstill. One of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners face is a smelly drain. When you have a smelly drain, performing basic everyday tasks that require you to get anywhere close to your drain can become a challenge. Here are some reasons why drains start to smell, and what you can do about them.

Dried Up P-Traps

One of the most common culprits for a stinky drain is a dried up P-trap. A P-trap is a U-shaped part of a pipe. The water contained in a P-trap acts as a seal for the pipe. This seal prevents sewer gas from entering the pipe by directing it to the ventilation system. When a P-trap dries, it is unable to perform this function. A leak in the pipe, blockage in the P-trap, and improper use of the waste drain can cause a P-trap to dry up.

If you have not used the pipe in a long time, running the tap for a few minutes should solve the problem. Though you can also try pouring water directly into the dried P-trap, you will have to periodically perform the task as the water will dry up and evaporate every time. If the odor is coming from a pipe that is in use, you may have a more serious issue such as a blockage or leak. To avoid expensive repairs, search for Santa Rosa plumbing services before things get out of hand.

Plumbing Errors

Plumbing errors such as missing vents and traps and leaks that were not properly fixed can cause ventilation issues and P-traps to dry up. To prevent this from happening, get your ventilation system inspected regularly. Do not turn a blind eye to plumbing issues and get them addressed before they snowball into major problems.

Unclean and Unkempt Water Heaters

A dirty water heater is a safe haven for bacteria. Bacteria thrive in the dark and moist environment of heaters creating a foul smell. To make matters worse, many water supply companies add sulfur to their water causing the rotten egg smell to become more prominent. To address this problem, clean your water heater with hydrogen peroxide, which kills bacteria without damaging the interior of a water heater.

If this does not work, there is a possibility that bacteria are thriving in the anode of your water heater. Ask your plumber to do the needful. To prevent the problem from occurring in future, consider installing a water filtration system that will filter out excess sulfur from your water.

Ventilation Problems

If you have a ventilation system to keep sewer gases out of your home, get it checked by your plumber. Oftentimes, birds or other animals build their nest in the ventilation system causing them to clog.

A stinky drain is not a minor issue and should be taken seriously. At Holman Plumbing, we are committed to helping our community members avoid and address plumbing nightmares. Every member in our team is a subject matter expert. Whatever your plumbing problem, we will come up with a solution. To discuss your plumbing project with an expert, call us at 707-495-5002.