If your shower drain is smelling bad, don’t despair. There could be several causes and solutions are relatively straightforward.
Biofilm Clogging
A common cause of smelly shower drains is biofilm buildup – bacteria and other decomposing materials in your drain that buildup over time. These microorganisms create a sticky glue-like substance that sticks to most surfaces, including the drain itself, making it difficult to clear out and leaving behind an unpleasant odor.
It is time to take a closer look at your bathroom plumbing. Corroded and loose joints in drains can cause sewage to back up into your home; changing these joints and replacing corroded sections of pipe will help eliminate this issue.
Sewer Gas Backup
If your toilet or shower drain has a foul odor, it could be due to a backup of sewer gas. This could be caused by either an obstruction in the vent system, dry p-trap failure or leaking in the line itself.
Usually, the smell will dissipate once you turn on the shower faucet and let it run for a few minutes. However, if it persists, then it’s time to call in a plumber.
Hair, Soap Scum and Mildew
One common cause of a smelly shower drain is soap scum and other debris accumulation in your drain over time. As these build up, soap scum and hair mix with water to create an ideal environment for bacteria growth – leading to an unpleasant odor that won’t go away. If this is the case for you, don’t worry; these substances can easily be cleaned away!
Mold Growth Under Your Shower Cover
Mold can also cling to the cover of your shower drain, where it thrives with moisture and cellulose contaminants from body oils and hair. To check if this is the source of a musty odor coming from the drain, feel around its perimeter to see if it’s sitting tightly over the tub. If not, this space provides ideal breeding grounds for mold to grow and spread.
Take off the drain cover and spray it with mildew remover. Be sure to wipe down the cover thoroughly before replacing it back on.
Unclogging Your Shower Drain with Snakes:
Snaking is an effective and low-cost way to unclog a shower drain. This method doesn’t need harsh chemicals and doesn’t cost too much either.
You can do this by taking off the drain cover and inserting a snake into the pipe. The snake will break up any obstruction in the flow of water by breaking up any clogs in its path.
Once the clog has been broken up, rinse with hot water and use an all-purpose cleaner to thoroughly clean it out. You may need to repeat this process several times before your drain is completely clear.
To prevent clogs, regularly wipe down your sink, toilet and tub with an all-purpose cleaner. Doing this will prevent drain pipes from getting clogged and prevent mold from growing in the future.
Finally, ensure you regularly change your shower filter or stopper to prevent odors from returning. This is an inexpensive and efficient way to ensure your bathroom doesn’t smell unpleasant.
If you have a shower drain that has bad smells coming from it or need shower p trap cleaned contact Ben Franklin Plumbing AZ for help.
