How To Get Rid of Shower Drain Smell

If a bad smell greets you in the washroom, it usually means something is wrong with your plumbing and specifically an issue with your shower drain.

If your shower drain area smells, you should do the following.

• Clear out trapped hair and debris
• Remove buildup inside the pipe
• Check for ventilation or trap issues that let sewer air come up.

Canadians spend about 90% of their time indoors, so indoor air quality matters for health and comfort. Good care supports overall indoor hygiene and comfort.

In this blog Lew Plumbing will help you find out all about smelly bathtub drain.

Why Does My Shower Drain Smell?

It means something is troublesome in the pipe. Hair, soap residue and tiny food particles can gather in the bend of the drain. Water cannot wash these pieces away easily. When they start to break down, it can create a sour smell. 

Sometimes the smell may not come from the drain itself. It can come from deeper pipe issues or vents that do not let air move out properly. The smell may feel like it is part of the whole bathroom rather than just the shower hole area. In this case you should check out sewage and drainage services from Lew Plumbing. 

If the smell also comes with small flies near your shower, you might want to check what causes drain flies.

How To Get Rid Of Smell In Shower Drain

It is important to address the smell because it impacts the indoor air quality. When the air you breathe gets compromised it can cause headaches, tiredness, coughing or sneezing. 

You can follow these simple steps to remove unpleasant odour from your shower drain and keep it fresh.

Clean Debris

• First take off the drain cover.
• Use a gloved hand or a small hook tool to pull out hair and sludge near the top of the drain.
• This step removes the main source of bad smell in many cases.

Flush with Baking Soda and Vinegar

This is a handy shower drain odor remedy

• Sprinkle baking soda down the drain and then pour vinegar
• This reaction helps break up sludge and slimy buildup on the bend
• Let the mixture sit for a bit so it can work on the stuck residue

Rinse with Hot Water

After the baking soda and vinegar has been added,pour hot water to loosen debris and clears the pipe more deeply. Hot water also helps remove greasy residue that cold water cannot move.

If the drain is slow or still smells you may try simple clog clearing first. You can use DIY methods to clear a shower clog.

Clean the P Trap if Needed

• If you can reach the P trap remove it carefully and wash out any layer of buildup you see.
• Make sure water stays in the trap once you put it back. 
• This keeps sewer air from coming up.

Disinfect the Drain

• Once the debris and buildup are removed you can pour a gentle disinfectant down the drain.
• This helps reduce leftover bacteria that cause odour 
• Avoid harsh chemicals that can harm pipes or seals

Apart from these steps, you should know about the top 5 reasons of shower drain smell to deal with the issue immediately. 

A yearly plumbing inspection can also help find hidden issues early. Contact Lew Plumbing for any kind of drain issues.

FAQs

Is a smelly bathtub drain dangerous?

If the bathtub drain smells like sewer it may mean sewer gas is entering your home. It is best to fix the cause early.

How often should I clean my shower drain?

You should do it every week. Do a deeper clean once a month to prevent buildup.

Does bleach remove the odor?

Bleach may reduce smell for a short time. It does not remove hair or thick buildup. It is better to clear the drain first and then clean it properly.

Why does my shower drain smell like sewer?

This can happen when the water in the trap dries out or when waste sits in the pipe. Sewer air can rise through the drain if the seal is weak. Cleaning it and running water often can help.