Stinky Shower Drain Solutions
No one likes cleaning out the shower drain. But when you drag out a hairball and it STINKS…well that’s another story.
Not to worry, there are only a couple culprits responsible for this smelly situation and Ohio Buckeye is here to help!
Pull Out Those Gloves To Unstuff The Stopper
The most common stink is a stuffed stopper. Your stopper (or strainer) catches all the hair, debris, and chunks so your pipes don’t clog. Here’s how you can check it to see if it’s the problem.
- Pull out a screwdriver, remove the drain and pull out the stopper.
- Soak it in hot water and start removing any caked on debris.
- While you have your stopper surfaced, grab a mold or mildew remover and add it to the cleansing process.
Check The P-Trap
If cleaning the stopper doesn’t un-stink your shower, then the P-Trap is the next probable problem. The P-Trap is a curved section of your pipes just under the stopper that blocks any potential sewer gasses from joining you in the shower by keeping a bit of water as a barrier. If the smell is sulfurous (rotten egg vibes), then you’d better have a chat with the old P-Trap.
- Grab your phone or a flashlight, shine it down and check the water level.
- If you don’t see any water, it’s time to test it.
- Grab a cup or bowl and pour some water down the drain.
- Come back a couple hours later, and if it’s gone, you have a venting problem.
Your shower vents give the air hanging out in the pipes a much needed escape when you turn on the water, but sometimes it gets clogged with shower debris. If you know where this vent lets out, you can try to remove the blockage yourself! If not, you may need to call in our professional plumbers to take a look.
If there’s still a stinking issue or you want to avoid messing with the pipes, give us a call at (440) 283-9377 and schedule an appointment with one of our experts at Ohio Buckeye Plumbing!