Smelly Shower Drain – What is Causing This?
A smelly shower drain is never pleasant, and it is surprisingly common in a busy household. If you have ever wondered why a shower drain smells bad, you might be surprised to hear some of the possible culprits for smelly showers, including:
- Biofilm accumulation (hair, soap residue, and dirt and grease)
- Clogged drains
- Dirty P-traps
- Pipe leaks and more
Professional plumbers like Greenville Plumbing Pros can quickly remedy these problems with trap and drain cleaning. However, it is not uncommon for these visits to reveal deeper underlying issues if the drain often gives off an odor.
In this post, we examine the common causes of a foul-smelling shower drain and plumbing system, including how to clean your shower drain effectively.
Four Common Causes of a Foul-Smelling Shower Drain
Is there a stench coming from the shower in your Simpsonville, SC, home? Ask these questions to get to the bottom of it:
When Did You Last Clean the Biofilm?
Biofilm is a primary cause of foul odors in drainage pipes. It has a characteristic mildew smell, thanks to its organic matter origins from hair, grease, soap residue, and body oils. These elements form a slimy, glue-like substance and combine with bacterial waste and mold growth that clings to showers and other drainage surfaces.
Are There Indications of Drain Clogs?
Shower drains tend to attract clogs from grime and water buildup inside the pipes. The odor is foul, especially with clogs from:
- Grease and cooking oil
- Dirt and sand
- Hair
- Hard water mineral deposits
- Soap scum
Are the P-Traps Dirty or Dry?
The P-trap is part of the drain that holds water as an effective barrier against dirty drain smells. In a typical Simpsonville, SC, home, the P-trap typically stops sewer gases entering the bathroom. If it is dry or clogged, the bathroom begins to emit a sewer gas-like smell.
If you notice a lingering odor in the bathroom, there’s a good chance the water in your shower or sink drains’ P-traps needs a refill or repair. If the smell is bad but not sewer-like, then you could simply have a dirty P-trap.
Are There Indications of One or More Leaky Pipes?
Leaking pipes allow sewer gases to seep into the bathroom or shower. The typical description is a “rotten eggs” odor. However, functioning drainage should keep the sewage smell well away from the shower drain, so sewer gases could indicate a drain line leak.
What to Do If the Shower Drain Smells
Greenville Plumbing Pros sees many Simpsonville, SC, customers struggling with a smelly shower drain, but some simple solutions can bring instant relief.
Clean and Remove Biofilm from Under the Drain Cover
First, remove biofilm from under the drain cover. Our professionals might use equipment that resembles a fuzzy paint roller dipped in an antibacterial cleaning product, inserting it into the drain to break up the biofilm. Flushing it with water should eliminate the shower drain odor.
Remove Clogs in Your Smelly Shower Drain
Next, we use a drain snake or auger to unclog your shower drain, plumbing pipes, and vent stack. The 1/4- or 5/16-inch cables are flexible enough to reach hidden areas in the drain. For major clogs, we may try alternatives such as:
- Pouring a non-corrosive chemical cleaner down the drain
- Pouring boiling water down the drain
- Pulling the clog out by hand
- Using a plunger
Clean the Shower P-Traps
Cleaning the P-trap is another simple way to remedy foul-smelling drains. One method uses baking soda followed by white distilled vinegar. It cleans and deodorizes the P-trap, washing out debris.
Be careful using bleach or other corrosive drain and trap cleaners. Baking soda and vinegar do not pose as much threat in terms of pipe damage.
Fix Leaky Pipes
Leaking pipes aren’t as easy to fix as they could indicate an underlying issue. Our licensed plumbers are the best for leaky drain pipes and other plumbing issues, and they can quickly diagnose and remedy the problem. They will fix your sewer line or drain pipe using techniques like pressurized stream water and hydro-jetting.
Reliable Shower Drain Smell Solutions in Simpsonville, SC
What’s the best solution for a foul shower drain smell from your Simpsonville, SC, shower floor? An appointment with the knowledgeable and experienced plumbing professionals at Greenville Plumbing Pros is a great place to start. We understand how to efficiently and affordably clean a smelly shower drain. Say goodbye to shower odors and pipe blockages.
There’s no need to settle for a smelly shower drain in Simpsonville, SC. Call Greenville Plumbing Pros at 864-362-2955 today for professional drain cleaning that eliminates shower drain odors. and that sewer smell from shower drain sources.