Solutions for a Smelly Kitchen Sink

Your kitchen sink is a place where food, dirt and other debris often go to die. It’s also the most likely spot in your home for odor-causing bacteria to grow. But, when that sink begins to harbor the stink of your past meals, it’s time to find a workable solution. With a little patience and some elbow grease, you can keep your kitchen sink fresh and clean.

If you have a smelly kitchen sink, there are several ways to eliminate these odors. To get rid of that funk, try these tips:

Food Waste Scents

If you have a smelly kitchen sink, the first thing you should do is clean out the drain trap. To do this, remove the stopper and pour hot water down the drain to loosen any food particles that may be stuck there. Then, use a tool like a wire brush or pipe cleaner to clean out any gunk clogging up your pipes. If this doesn’t help with your smelly kitchen sink issue, try cleaning out garbage disposals as well (and make sure they are turned off before doing so).

If you have a garbage disposal, clean it out with hot water and soap as well. Provided this doesn’t help with your smelly kitchen sink issue, try cleaning out the drain trap regularly. You can also use an enzyme-based cleaner (like BioKleen) to break down any food particles that may be stuck in your pipes.

Sewer Stink From Vents/Traps

In some cases, a foul smell might not be rotting food, but a stuck sink trap or sewer vent. The sink trap is the pipe that goes from your drain to the sewer line. It’s usually located under the sink or beneath a cabinet. The trap prevents foul odors from escaping into your home while also preventing any sewer gases from seeping into your home. If this vent gets blocked by food or other debris, it can lead to smelly kitchen sinks and even sewage backups in basements.

To prevent this problem, it’s important to regularly check the sink traps for blockages and make sure your pipes are clear. You can use a utility snake to remove any debris from the pipes or call a plumber if you feel uncomfortable doing so yourself.

If you’re in the market for a new sink or faucet, make sure you purchase one with an integrated trap. This will ensure that you don’t have to worry about installing it yourself and also ensures that your pipes are properly connected so sewer gases can’t enter your home.

Finally, if You Can’t Solve Your Smelly Kitchen Sink, Get a Certified Plumber

If there is no solution you can realistically improvise, it’s time to call in the pros. A certified plumber can help you identify the source of your plumbing problem and provide you with a solution that will last for years. They’ll also be able to help you prevent future problems by cleaning and repairing your pipes. If you have any questions about your plumbing problem, don’t hesitate to ask our pros at Conyers Plumbing. We’re here to help.