There is a very foul odor coming from my sink in my bathroom.?
Question:I have tried drano, bleach, even checked behind the sink for a dead rat. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Answers:
two possible causes...1) something is caught in your P-trap (probably hair) which is wicking the water at the bottom of the P (the water at the bottom of the trap keeps the sewer smell from eminating from your pipes). 2) your vent pipe is clogged.
Start with the p-trap. It is easy to disassemble (directly under sink drain and looks like an S, a P, or a J). Should have a couple of joints that can be disassembled with a pipe wrench or large pliers/channel locks. Clean out debris and reassemble. Run lots of water.
If this does not work, then your vent is blocked. A vent is simply a pipe that forks off of your drain system and goes outside (usually through the roof). Birds like to nest in unprotected vents, or maybe leaves clogged it. If this is your house, you can do a visual on the roof, or have a plumber take a look. If it is a rental, get the super to check it out (most likely others, if an apartment, will have the same smell issue.
There could be something rotting in the trap. I'd remove the trap and clean it out or the easy way is to buy a drain snake and root out the problem. Neither is appetizing.
If the sink is backed up then there must be a clog somewhere and you may want to call a plumber. If it is not backing up then try putting baking soda down the drain to neutralize the smell and run a lot of hot water to clear the pipes..
Go to the pet store and get a bottle of something called Petzyme. It will neutralize decaying proteins, which is prob. your problem.
Are your toilets or drain running slow? If you live in the country and have a septic system, you may want to check into having it pumped...otherwise, have someone snake the drain, possibly rotting hair and other yucky debris caught in trap.
i would do the old vinegar/ baking soda and hot water trick.
sometimes that just happens when pipes get old.
There may be a clog deep down, a plumber may be a good idea, unless you can get it yourself with a coat hanger or something.
The U shaped trap under the sink contains water to prevent gas from coming up through the sink. You can remove it and clean it out but your problem may be further down the line. If there is a clog it may cause a vacuum that is sucking the water out of the trap. Carefully remove the trap and see if it is full of water. If not then call a plumber.
Take the trap apart under the sink and clean it out!
I would try either baking soda, vinegar or bleach, but NOT mixed together. Good luck!
I had this problem with an apartment that I moved into. I took a flash light and looked down the drain. Then I took some tweasers and pulled out gobs of hair form the people who lived there before me. Next I pulled out I guess you call it slime that was molded in the shape of the sink pipe. Good Luck.
you must have hair build up and build up from brushing your teeth which also causes other build up that cannot go down the drain. you need to clean your drain by taking out the catch basin. it is a dirty job but should be done at least every three months.
1 cup salt, 1 cup baking soda mixed together. Then add 1 cup white vinegar - yes, it will foam up right away (kinda fun for kids!). Dump that down the drain and let it sit 30 mins or so. Then flush well with hot water. Fresh as a spring day!
Take 1/2box of Baking Soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Pour the baking soda down first, and then add the vinegar, They are both odor eaters and at the same time you will clean out the drain.
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