There are a lot of good smells in your kitchen, but the one coming out of your sink is probably not one of them! A sink’s drain and pipes, when draining properly, shouldn’t have any smell at all. If you start to notice a smell in your sink, it’s a sign that something is wrong — so don’t ignore it.
If you detect a bad odor in your sink, try some of these tips:
- Remove any food, hair or debris you see trapped in the drain. Sometimes, food particles will get jammed down the drain by your sink plug. Remove all that you can with the help of a pipe cleaner or cloth. Avoid using a knife or screwdriver, as these might damage your sink and pipes.
- Try flushing your drain and pipes with a large amount of hot water. A stinky sink is often due to food and waste that is stuck in your drain, trap and pipes. Hot water can help remove any food or dirt that’s sitting in the pipes or trap. You can also try flushing with soapy water to get rid of the clogs.
- Flush your sink with vinegar or a store-bought drain cleaner. Vinegar attacks all sorts of waste, and it has neutralizing effect on smells. Commercial drain cleaners can be effective, but make sure you choose one that’s compatible with your pipes and septic system. Many people believe that putting coffee grinds down your drain can eliminate odors. However, putting too many solids down your drain can create blockages, and coffee grinds tend to cause mold and bacteria growth. When food solids do go down your drain, be sure to rinse them with lots of water.
- Disassemble your sink’s trap to remove any trapped food or waste. Make sure you don’t break your pipes or siphon gasket, especially on older sinks with stiff brittle. While disassembled, take the time to thoroughly wash your trap with hot soapy water before reinstalling it.
When all if this is done, give it a day and see if the smell comes back. In many cases, this will take care of the problem. But if you continue experiencing problems, call the certified plumbing team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse. We are certified by Onondaga County for plumbing leak detection or any plumbing-related project. We can check your pipes, determine what’s causing your stinky sink, and take care of it for you. After that, the only smells in your kitchen should be the delicious ones coming from your oven!