A foul odor coming from your shower drain isn’t just a nuisance. When you have an unpleasant odor emanating from your shower drain, the whole bathroom can feel unclean. A smelly shower drain is a sign that something isn’t right with your plumbing, and a professional can pinpoint what is going on with your plumbing system to cause the odor.
At Lutz Plumbing, we understand that you want to get to the bottom of any odors coming from your smelly shower drain. We are going to talk about some of the common culprits behind the smell, and share DIY fixes that can get rid of the odor. Learn about how to fix shower drain odors yourself, and know when it is time to call a professional plumber.
Keep your home clean and odor free when you identify the cause of the odors coming from your drain, and get the help you need to fix it. No amount of cleaning is going to get rid of a smelly shower drain that is caused by a main sewer line clog, and a plumber must be called to handle the situation.
The Most Common Cause: Biofilm Buildup
A foul or moldy odor in your shower is often caused by biofilm, a buildup of bacteria and debris inside your drain. Here’s what to check:
Clear slow-moving drains right away to avoid buildup and bigger plumbing issues
Recommendation for Homeowners: Shower Curtain Check
The smell may be coming from your shower curtain, especially near the bottom where soap scum and bacteria collect.
A Simple Cleaning Solution
The fastest way to get rid of biofilm in your drain is to clean it yourself using a safe, plumber-approved cleaning method. A simple mixture of baking soda and vinegar can clean out the biofilm, as long as you rinse the mixture down the drain with hot water.
This works well when you have minor buildup in your drain, as the vinegar and baking soda together have a mild abrasive effect on your drain. Pour about a cup of baking soda into your drain, and then pour one to two cups of vinegar into the baking soda. This will bubble up as the two substances interact. Run the hot water once the bubbles stop. If you clean the drain and you still have an odor, you may need to have a plumber come and see what is going on. Give us a call!
The “Sewer Gas” Smell: A Dry P-Trap
A P-trap is a U-shaped piece of pipe used in plumbing to create an odor barrier between the sewer line and the interior of your home or business. A P-trap holds water, which seals up the pipe. This prevents odors from traveling from your sewer line into your home. There are times when a P-trap can go dry, like when a bathroom isn’t used often and the water in the trap dries up. It is possible to have a leak in the P-trap, which will also cause the trap to stop working properly. The P-trap only works when there is enough water in the bend of the pipe, which settles in the bend and doesn’t allow odors to move back and forth.
The Easy Fix
If you smell a sewer gas like odor coming from your shower drain, try running the shower water for about a minute to refill the P-trap. If the odor is caused due to a dry P-trap, this will solve the problem temporarily. If the odor remains, you probably have a leak in your P-trap that needs to be repaired by a professional. Although you might be able to change a P-trap under a sink by yourself, the P-trap for a shower drain is often much harder to reach.
The More Serious Problem: Clogs and Venting Issues
There are times when a clog deeper in your plumbing system can cause an odor to occur. A blocked plumbing vent can pull sewer gas into the home, causing it to smell. If your drains are slow, take a look at our article “A Plumber’s Guide: 5 Reasons Your Bathtub Won’t Drain” blog to learn more about how to manage clogs. Clogs deep in your system can involve tree roots that grow into your main sewer line. As the tree roots trap debris, the clog becomes more complete. If you have a complete clog in your main sewer line, waste water will travel back up into your home through drains and the toilet, causing a significant mess.
When the Smell Means You Need a Professional
If you have an odor coming from your shower drain, there are a number of reasons that you would need to call a plumber to take care of the problem. A smelly shower drain can be as simple as a clog close to the surface, or indicate a systemic problem with your plumbing. Avoid the use of chemical drain cleaners, as these only cause damage to your plumbing. Signs that it is time to call a plumber include:
- The smell continues, even after you have cleaned the drain thoroughly
- There are gurgling sounds coming from other drains in your home
- You can smell the same odor coming from multiple drains throughout the home
Systemic problems with your plumbing system will be obvious when you are experiencing the same issue in a number of areas throughout the space. It is important to call a professional when you notice strong odors within your home that are not corrected by cleaning your drains. A main sewer line clog can be the cause of the odor, and this can cause damage to your home if you let the clog continue to build.
Smelly Shower Drains and Your Home
The key causes of smelling shower drains in your home include a buildup of biofilm, a dry P-trap, or a deeper plumbing issue that needs to be repaired. Biofilm can build up, getting trapped within hair and soap scum. As this builds up, it can create a clog in your plumbing system close to the surface. A dry P-trap can occur if the water hasn’t been used in some time, or if the P-trap has a leak in it. If you have a clog in your main sewer line, you may notice the same sulphur-like smell throughout your home. If you are not able to get rid of the odor coming from your drains using our simple tips, it’s time to call a professional.
Call Lutz Plumbing for All Your Plumbing Needs
Don’t just live with a smell drain stinking up your home. Even when you clean your entire bathroom thoroughly, an odor coming from your drain can be persistent. If you haven’t been able to get rid of the odor, call Lutz Plumbing today. We will find the source of the odor and ensure your home’s plumbing is healthy and clean.