When your kitchen sink smells bad, the problem has many potential causes. If a stinky sink is ruining your home’s environment, you may feel frustrated not knowing what’s causing it or how to get rid of it.
Fortunately, when your kitchen sink smells bad, it’s usually simple to eliminate the foul odor without paying a high plumbing repair cost. Over time, even the cleanest household sink will begin to accumulate odor-causing bacteria or blockages. In fact, a stinky kitchen sink is one of the most common plumbing problems many households experience.
As experts in kitchen plumbing repair in Glendora, CA, we have ample experience handling various plumbing problems. If you have a foul smell in your kitchen, we want to help you understand what may cause it. Let’s cover some of the reasons why your kitchen sink smells bad.
What Causes a Bad Smell in a Kitchen Sink?
A foul smell in a kitchen sink usually results from the accumulation of food particles in your drainpipe or an issue with your U-bend. However, several additional factors may cause a foul smell in your kitchen sink.
Mold and Mildew
When your kitchen sink smells bad, it may result from a leak you can’t see elsewhere. A water leak from kitchen pipes is one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners experience.
This issue can cause water to soak the wood and other materials around it, resulting in a moldy smell. If your kitchen sink smells bad, it may indicate that you need plumbing repairs in your kitchen pipes. Check your pipes for leaks, and schedule emergency plumbing services to repair them as soon as possible.
Bacteria Growth
If your kitchen doesn’t have a leak somewhere causing the smell, then bacteria is the most likely culprit. As a natural part of your plumbing system, bacteria can become problematic when too many or the wrong kind accumulate.
Food debris, hair, and other small particles go down the kitchen sink drain during a sink’s lifetime. Over time, even regularly cleaning a kitchen sink doesn’t prevent enough bacteria from causing an odor, especially if you have a garbage disposal.
Additionally, other plumbing issues, like a clogged drain, could be the main culprit when your kitchen sink smells bad. When you schedule a professional drain cleaning service, a professional plumber can reduce the bacteria in your kitchen sink drain.
Clogged Sewer Vent
When your kitchen sink smells bad and doesn’t drain properly, there’s a chance you have a clogged sewer vent. When this happens, the eventual sewer gases that typically leave your pipes get trapped and build up. Not only does this cause drainage problems, but it also gradually worsens the odor.
Sulfates
If your sink has a rotten egg smell, your water may contain too much sulfate. Thankfully, this isn’t toxic but may cause damage to clothing and even digestive issues when ingested.
An abundance of sulfates in your water can also create drainage problems so that the smell may result from the sulfates in addition to the clog. This situation may necessitate plumbing repairs to clear the clog and restore full functionality to your plumbing system.
Plumbing Errors
After you have done plumbing work or installed new pipes, you may notice that your kitchen sink smells bad. This situation may result from an error by the plumbing company, such as a missing component or a leaky pipe. If you notice a bad smell coming from your kitchen sink soon after plumbing repairs, contact a professional to have them double-check the work.
Contact Us to Schedule Plumbing Service Today!
If your kitchen sink smells bad, there are some steps you can take to remedy the issue. Boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar may eliminate or reduce the smell. However, if the foul odor persists, it may be time to call a professional drain cleaner.
Good News Plumbing & Drain has a certified team of residential and commercial plumbers in Chino Hills, CA, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today with any questions or to schedule an appointment!
