The last thing you want is to smell a strange stench coming from your kitchen sink, which is the heart of your home. Not only will this make your houseguests angry, but you don’t want to wonder what that fragrance is every time you walk into your kitchen.
It’s safe to say your kitchen sink goes through a lot with all of the food that goes down your garbage disposal and the particles that accidentally fall down your drain each week. While a stinking sink may make you think there’s food stuck in the drain, not all odors are caused by food.
Why Does My Kitchen Sink Smell?
The following are the major reasons for the kitchen sink smell:
Bacteria
If your kitchen sink begins to stink, there is a significant probability that bacteria is growing in your drain pipes. Bacteria thrive in the presence of water, food particles, and the warm temperatures of a kitchen.
You can kill bacteria in your drain using vinegar, baking soda, or a small bit of bleach. Before using any commercial disinfectant, ensure that it is suitable for use in a kitchen. If you decide to use baking soda to destroy the bacteria, make sure to run hot water over it while doing so.
Garbage Disposal
Another potential culprit is your waste disposal. All of those food particles can end up clinging to the grinder’s teeth and rotting, creating a stink to build up over time.
The simplest option is to place some ice cubes in the disposal and turn it on to grind off some of the encrusted stuff before pouring hot water down the drain.
The hot water should loosen any grease that has formed on your teeth and eliminate the foul odor emanating from your sink. You can also clean your waste disposal with the same cleaning products you’d use to get rid of bacteria.
Vents
If the odor isn’t caused by bacteria in the drain or greasy food particles in your garbage disposal, it could be due to a clogged vent from the sink to the ceiling.
A plumber’s snake can be used to clean this: go to the roof and run the snake from the top of the vent, pushing it through until the block is removed. A plumbing snake should be used by an expert.
Food Obstruction in the Drain Pipe
It goes without saying that food is a common cause of drain obstructions. From cooking all week to disposing of leftover food in the garbage disposal, you’re certain to experience a clog at some point. If you’re putting coffee grounds, potato peels, stringy veggies, or grease down your garbage disposal, it’s time to stop.
These foods will block your pipes and emit a terrible, decaying odor from your kitchen sink. Avoiding clogs in your drainpipe begins with properly disposing of your food. You can also attempt the following at-home solutions to unclog your drain using common household items:
Grease and Oil Clogging
If you’re used to throwing oil, grease, or fats down the drain after cooking, attempt to break the behavior as soon as possible. Oil, grease, and fat solidify as they cool, clogging your drainpipe and eventually rotting it.
Why Does Your Kitchen Sink Drain Smell Like Sewage?
One of the most prevalent causes of a sewer-like odor in a kitchen sink drain is a lack of draining. When the pipes are unable to efficiently remove debris or sewer gases, the stink begins to leak into the kitchen.
The three main causes of a kitchen sink not draining properly are discussed in the sections below.
1. Food Debris in the Drain
If you often dispose of food waste in the kitchen sink, the garbage disposal may occasionally leave food residue in the drainpipe. Food debris can build up in the drainpipe and obstruct efficient water movement. Furthermore, the food can spoil, resulting in an unpleasant odor.
2. Plumbing Vent Clog
To minimize blockage and reduce odors from the drain, a kitchen sink drain is essential. When a plumbing vent becomes clogged, sewer gases are unable to properly vent out of the system and into the kitchen. It is difficult to locate a clogged plumbing vent, therefore it is advisable to employ a qualified plumbing professional for the job.
3. Grease in the Drainpipe
Cooking oil and grease should never be poured down a kitchen sink drain because they solidify within the pipes. When hardened oil coats the inside of a pipe, it can emit a rotten sewer odor. Aside from the unpleasant odor, it can also clog pipes and prevent water from draining.
Related Questions
Can a plumber repair a stinky drain?
Professional plumbers may utilize industrial water jetters, snake augers, and pipe camera technology to locate and repair the source of the odor in your drain. A professional plumber can clear the clog at its source, allowing you to enjoy a clear drain once more.
Can bleach cause pipe damage?
Bleach can react with other substances in your pipes, potentially releasing odors and clogging the system further. You may clean your pipes with environmentally safe bleaches and household chemicals. Pouring bleach down them will cause far more damage than good.
Conclusion
In short, to make matters worse, food and grease can become stuck in the pipes of your kitchen sink and begin to rot. This can quickly become a breeding ground for germs, causing unpleasant odors. Whether you have a garbage disposal or not, the materials that go down the drain might generate odors if not properly disposed of.
If you can’t get rid of a terrible odor in your kitchen, it’s time to bring in a professional.
