Smelly bathroom drains are simply foul to live with. Truly. The bathroom is your personal sanctuary—a space to refresh and cleanse yourself at the beginning or end of each day. However, dealing with a faulty drain that causes your bathroom to smell like an orangutan’s armpit is not conducive to feeling clean, no matter how much fragrant body wash you use. It’s time to take action and address the issue.

In this blog, we will explore all you need to know about identifying the underlying causes of bathroom drain odours, how to fix bathroom drains that smell, what to do to prevent smelly drains in the future, and how to know when to call in a professional to solve the problem.

How To Identify Bathroom Drain Odor in Your Home?

The source of the drain odour will require some careful investigation so that you can hone in on the problem quickly. Investigate the bathroom sink, shower and floor drain to ascertain the biggest source of the smell and focus your energies on treating this part. If the problem persists, move on and treat the other areas until the problem is rectified to the best of your abilities.

In the remainder of this blog, we will explore what causes smelly bathroom drains and how to fix them.

What Causes a Bathroom Drain to Smell?

Build Up of Dirt & Hair

An accumulation of dirt and hair creates a breeding ground for mould and bacteria and can build and lodge inside your drain to cause nasty odours. The shower and bath (where you wash your hair) are especially prone to this type of blockage.

Blocked Drains

Regardless of the type of debris, any material that is trapped in a drain over the long run can cause foul, pungent smells associated with a blocked bathroom drain, usually compounded by stagnant water within the drain system.

Mould Growth

Mould can grow on any trapped debris in dark, damp areas. It has a distinct musty smell associated with its growth. Mould releases a foul gas that creates an unpleasant odour throughout your bathroom. In addition to its bad smell, mould can negatively impact your health, potentially causing respiratory issues and headaches if not addressed.

Faulty or Broken Traps

If your bathroom drain smells like sewerage, it may be because of a faulty trap. A trap is a clever plumbing device that prevents sewer gas from infiltrating your home. It functions by retaining a small amount of water in the pipes, creating a seal against sewer gas. However, if a trap malfunctions or dries out, sewer gas can escape directly into your home, creating an unbearable stench.

Old Plumbing System

Older plumbing systems can develop cracks, which may allow pathogens from the surrounding earth to enter the drainage system. Tree roots can also cause tiny fractures in the pipes, permitting bacteria and debris to infiltrate and promote the growth of mould and bacteria. In such a case, bad smells from the drainage system may signal the onset of what could be a worse problem further down the track as the roots can crack pipes over time, creating water leaks.

How To Fix Smelly Bathroom Drains?

Identify the Cause of the Smell

The process begins with getting down low and following your nose to determine the source of the smell. There may be multiple outlets within your bathroom, but the main problem may lie in just one area, so find out where the smell is the strongest and begin there. If the smell seems to be the same everywhere, you may benefit from a CCTV drainage inspection by a qualified plumber.

Remove Visible Mould

To remove visible mould, wear rubber gloves and a mask for protection. Use a clean, lightly dampened rag or sponge to wipe the area, rinsing it frequently in hot water to avoid spreading the mould. After cleaning, dispose of the rag or sponge, then wipe the area again with a new damp rag to catch any missed spots, and dispose of it afterwards.

Flush Bathroom Drains

Grime and debris can accumulate and solidify in your drains. By boiling water and pouring it down the drain, you can loosen and flush away this buildup. If hot water alone is not effective, you may need to use commercial drain cleaner to help clear your blocked drain.

You may also use a flattened wire coat hanger to reach in and hook loosened debris to bring it up and out. Incorporating hot water flushing into your regular cleaning routine can also be an effective maintenance technique.

How to Stop Smelly Bathroom Drains?

Use Drain Catchers

If you’ve experienced major drain blockages that were eventually repaired, you will start to view drain catchers differently. By consistently using drain catchers, you will be amazed at how much debris they can trap. Make it a habit to utilise them regularly.

Run Taps Regularly

To prevent stagnation and blockages that can cause unpleasant odours, it’s important to run your taps regularly. This is especially true for older plumbing systems. Make sure to turn on all the taps in your house regularly.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution

For toxic-free cleaning, use baking soda and vinegar to keep your drains clean. This inexpensive, time-honoured solution has been used for many years to maintain odour-free drains. Simply sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda into your drain. Then gradually pour one cup of vinegar after it, creating a foaming reaction. Immediately cover the drain to contain the foamy solution and allow it to act for about an hour before uncovering.

Regular Plumbing Maintenance

With many old Sydney homes having dated plumbing systems (often surrounded by established trees with large, potentially damaging root systems), it is important to keep on top of any plumbing issues.

This is why we recommend regular plumbing inspections and maintenance to ensure that small problems don’t escalate into large, costly problems if left unchecked.

When it’s Time to Call a Professional 

If you have attempted to fix your blocked bathroom drain using the tips mentioned earlier and the problem persists, or if you simply don’t have the time to investigate further, it’s time to call a professional plumber. A plumber can assess the issue expertly and provide long-term solutions for blocked drains, old pipes, and faulty taps to ensure everything functions properly.

Get Rid of Your Smelly Bathroom Drain Today!

It’s time to eliminate smelly old drains from your life, making your bathroom feel inviting again. Contact My Home Plumbing, a small, qualified team of plumbers servicing Sydney’s Inner West to get professional help. Rest assured with our labour guarantee and combined 35+ years of experience to help fix your smelly bathroom drain issues. We pride ourselves in our B Corp and carbon-neutral certifications to help the environment. And we believe we offer the best, friendliest customer service you can ask for. Get in touch today!