Plumbing odors can be caused by a number of problems. As you use your drainage system on a daily basis, it can get clogged with food particles or personal care items such as soaps and shampoos. When these materials start to degrade, they will produce some gunk smell with time. Sometimes, the odor can be so strong that it causes inconvenience. Therefore, seeking urgent plumbing remedies can help save the situation. With that said, the following are top plumbing tips you can use to eliminate such odors if they occur.
1. Manage Drainage Clogs
Clogs in the drainage system cause the majority of drainage odors. However, one thing you should know is clogging doesn't cause odor immediately. As mentioned earlier, when personal items accumulate in the drains, it results in blocked drains over time. This clogging facilitates bacterial growth, which causes odor during decomposition. Some of the common personal items responsible for clogging include toilet paper, hair buildup, and mineral sediments to name a few. Hiring a plumber to fix the blocked drains can be effective in eliminating such odors.
2. Fix Plumbing Leakages
The presence of leakages in your home's plumbing system causes not only water waste but also odors. Generally, leakages create a dump and conducive environment for mold growth. With accelerated mold growth, you'll start experiencing musty odor around your house. Apart from musty odor from molds, leakages such as those from sewer lines can fill your home with unwanted odor. In order to address this problem, repairing plumbing leaks is recommended.
3. Repair Blocked Plumbing Vents
Plumbing vents allow the intake of fresh air into our homes. They also ensure waste gases don't fill your house. If the vents are blocked or damaged, waste gases won't be expelled easily from your home, causing unnecessary odors. The moment you notice blocked vents, you should always find urgent ways of unblocking the vents.
4. Maintain the Drain Traps
Drain traps are the bent pipe that exists beneath the kitchen sink or toilet seat. Usually, the trap carries some water which blocks odor from creeping back to your house. However, when the water dries up or evaporates, it leaves the pathway open, leading to a smelly odor that can be harmful to your health. Therefore, if you find that the drain traps are lacking water, you should consider pouring a quart of water into the drain.
Drainage odors can be disturbing. Generally, the first defense line against such odors is preventive maintenance and frequent cleaning. However, if you find that your system is not working, you can think of the above-mentioned plumbing tips. They'll help you manage drainage odors effectively. Also, you can consider contacting a professional plumber should the odor persist.
