9 Reasons That Your Plumbing Smells

One of the most common complaints about plumbing is that it smells. If your bathroom sink has a problem, consider some of the possible culprits explained in this handy guide. If your shower or toilet gives you an unexpected odor, it could be time to call in a plumber to take care of it.

Many homeowners have been known to blame the faucet for a bad odor problem. It’s easy to imagine that hot water is responsible for the stench, but this isn’t necessarily true. All plumbing systems need some maintenance, which means that these devices will eventually start leaking and leaving behind odors. Here are some of the most common causes of odor in your plumbing system.

1. Bacteria Buildup

The most common cause of a stinky bathroom faucet is bacteria buildup in the drain. Although no one wants to think about it, bacteria thrive on waste products, and bacteria breed in your plumbing system. A recessed faucet is more prone to this problem because you don’t have access to the drain for cleaning. Bacteria can grow in the drain, and if you don’t clean it out regularly, your bathroom sink will stink. The same is true for a shower drain and toilet. If you haven’t cleaned them in quite some time, there could be an issue.

2. Bad Bowl System

One of the most common issues for homeowners is dealing with a foul odor emanating from your toilets or showers. This is not a plumbing problem but rather an issue with the flushing mechanism of your home’s toilet or shower fixture. A bowl system in your bathroom can fail, leaving waste to sit in the bowl and contributing to a bad odor inside your home. This failed mechanism can be caused by malfunctioning parts such as lateral locks that do not flush warm water quickly into the bowl. Drain clogs and slow flush valves also increase the chance of odor issues.

If you suspect that your home plumbing has a bad bowl system, contact the Blue Bear professionals in the Boston, MA area for plumbing services.

3. Organic Matter

Over time, organic matter develops in the pipes and starts to rot away. The waste products of this can end up on your bathroom sink and give off a foul odor. They build up in the inside of pipes, and the smell can permeate your home. This is a sure sign that you need some plumbing maintenance because there could be organic matter in your plumbing system. Before addressing a plumbing issue, you must clean out the pipes to stop any further problems.

4. A Clogged Vent

The vent on your plumbing system is an important component of the venting system. If it gets clogged, there is a chance that you will smell the odor coming from your drain or toilet. Sometimes, there can be a buildup of lint or mold in your vent that can cause this problem. Careful cleaning can help eliminate odors caused by clogged vents. The clogged vent itself may not be a big problem, but the odor it creates can drive you crazy and make you feel like something is wrong. You can usually clean this out by removing the drainpipe and by cleaning thoroughly. Keep in mind that some clogs are more severe than others, so use caution when messing with your plumbing.

5. Leaking Pipe Joints

Pipes frequently become loose over time due to expansion and contraction from temperature changes or from expanded gasses in your home. If a joint gets loose enough, it could make noise or drain slowly when you turn the faucet on. It can also leak, which is a sure sign that you have a problem inside your plumbing system. It would be best if you had loose pipes tightened by a professional as soon as possible to stop any further damage. This problem can cause foul odors because waste and decaying organic matter can build up inside the pipe. A slow leak or a loose joint also allows gasses to escape, which creates an odor.

If you notice a leaking pipe joint in your Massachusetts home, contact our plumbing professionals for assistance. 

6. Poor Ventilation

Problems such as shower leaks or toilet problems can cause odors in your bathroom. Most of the time, these smells are due to poor ventilation in bathrooms and showers, but some homeowners will try to improve their ventilation systems by drilling holes into their plumbing devices. However, these do-it-yourself solutions can lead to terrible odor problems and are not advisable. Always take care of bathroom clogging problems by contacting a plumber who can accurately determine the problem and make a repair accordingly.

7. Mold

Many homeowners have found that they have a problem with mold in their plumbing systems. A mold buildup can create an odor problem in your bathroom or shower. This is usually found in new homes and is caused by a water leak such as a pipe leakage or expansion and contraction from temperature changes. You should check for any leaks early on and fix them before this issue can happen to you. Mold can be caused by a leak anywhere in your plumbing system. To stop mold and mildew, you should make a point of cleaning the inside of your plumbing devices regularly.

8. Garbage Disposal

How often do you use your garbage disposal? If you live in an older home, there is a good chance that you don’t use it often. You should avoid grinding up fatty foods as much as possible to prevent your drain from getting clogged. Such a blockage can lead to a foul odor due to the accumulation of food and oils inside your plumbing system. Ensure that you keep this area clean and free of any food scraps or other waste. It is also a good idea to make sure that your garbage disposal blades are clean and sharp.

9. Dry P-Trap

One of the most common plumbing problems is a dry overflow trap. If your toilet or sink is leaking, it may be because the p-trap is dry. You can check for this by removing the p-trap from under your sink and by pouring water into it so that it fills up. If you can’t get any water to flow into the p-trap, it may be time to contact a plumber because you have a serious problem with leaky plumbing. Take care when checking your home’s plumbing system because, even if you are trying to fix an overflow problem, you could end up making things worse. Overflow problems could cause water damage to other areas of your home, in addition to foul odors in the bathroom or kitchen.

Trust Our Team for Plumbing Services

Bad odors in your home are not something you want to deal with on your own. From Boston to Cape Cod, MA, count on Blue Bear Plumbing, Heating & Air, to diagnose the problem and repair it accordingly. For more information, contact us today.