Nobody likes cooking in a stinky kitchen.
This post will examine why it smells like something died under my sink. Heck, you’ll also learn the best solutions for these problems!
But look…
People spend a lot of time in the kitchen because that’s where food is prepared (and no one wants to consume food prepared in a disgusting kitchen). The sink in our kitchen is a major source of the unpleasant odor.
Most food leftovers go to dustbins, but some potions enter your sink. These pieces will accumulate, and over time they may decay, leading to a pungent odor. Similarly, you can experience a disturbing smell of something dead under your sink.
Such experiences could ruin your urge to enjoy preparing or even taking your favorite cuisines; they could also lead to a health hazard. Unfortunately, these circumstances are almost inevitable, and the best practice is to always dispose of your food waste carefully and have routine plumbing maintenance.
Why Does My Sink Drain Smell?
You should understand why your sink stinks when you first discover it. Fortunately, odorous sinks are frequently caused by a simple problem, meaning they mostly have simple DIY solutions. Here are the top causes of stinky skins:
1. Bacteria Growth
If you’re certain there isn’t a leak behind the odor, microorganisms are most likely to blame. The pipes in your home contain bacteria as a natural component, but when the wrong sort or an excessive amount accumulates, they can produce offensive odors.
Anything from leftovers to human hair ends up in the pipe during a sink’s life. Even a routinely cleaned sink can gather enough bacteria to produce an odor, especially if there is a clog or the beginning of a jam.
There are also anaerobic bacteria, which can still thrive without oxygen. Over time these organisms will produce a sulfuric smell in your kitchen. The best solution is to use organic smell absorbers like charcoal air purifier bags and baking soda.
2. Clogged Sewer Vent
You may have a blocked sewage vent if your sink smells awful and isn’t flowing properly. When this occurs, the gases often expelled from your pipes become trapped and accumulate, worsening odor and drainage issues.
This is more likely to happen in unoccupied homes, so this may be why your vacation property has a stinky sink. You can contact a plumber to resolve the stinky problem or use a chemical drain cleaner.
3. Sulfates
A lot of sulfates in the water could be why your sink smells bad. Sulfates can harm clothing and create digestive problems when consumed, although they are not dangerous. An excessive amount of sulfates in water can also cause drainage issues so that the stench may originate from the sulfates themselves and a clog.
4. Plumping Errors
Sometimes can emerge immediately after plumbing repairs or the installation of new pipes. This can be the result of a mistake made by the plumbers, like a pipe that is leaking or a part that is missing. Contact the plumber to double-check lines if they experience the stinks soon after their visit.
5. Mold and Mildew
Sometimes a scent is caused by an unnoticed leak, and the sink gets the blame. Your pipes could leak water, saturate nearby wood and other objects, and produce a musty odor. For this reason, checking for leaks should be among your first moves if you notice an unpleasant odor in the sink area.
You can start by clearing any stagnant water and removing whatever brings excess moisture into your kitchen. Damp cabinet materials, for example, boost mold growth, resulting in a bad odor.
Clean them regularly and use dehumidifiers if possible. You can also add some drops of tea tree oil to water and spray in the affected regions.
Sewer Smells
Your home’s plumbing system is intended to keep dangerous gases in check, flush out sewage, and give you access to clean, drinkable water. If you detect sewer gases in the kitchen, something is wrong with the system.
This can be dangerous for your health in addition to being irritable. Because sewer gases are poisonous, they shouldn’t be inhaled for extended periods or by people with weakened immune systems.
A powerful sewer smell in your kitchen could hint that your sewer system has had a breakup. This is the best time to call experts.
P-Trap Problem
The P-trap, the curved plumbing portion below the sink, is also known as the U-bend. The curve’s main function is to prevent sewer gas leaks into your home. They can assist with any jewelry or other items you flush down the toilet.
Water ought always constantly to be in the p-trap. Any gas will be prevented from leaking in by the water. Your sewer’s components may begin to smell if the p-trap dries out.
Remember to occasionally turn the water on any sinks in your house that are used sparingly. The water in the P-trap may evaporate if a sink isn’t being used, letting the gasses enter. It only needs to be run briefly to retain water in the P-trap.
Leftover and Garbage
Leftovers are a common cause of stinky kitchen sinks. The smell of rotting foodstuff and other garbages will come out if you don’t regularly clean your kitchen.
The best solution when this is the case is to remove everything from your kitchen space and thoroughly wash it. Additionally, you should empty all the containers regularly to avoid bad smells. This simple approach will save you any future embarrassment and guarantee your safety.
You can use a plumber’s snake or an auger tool to deal with stubborn clogs. Remember to call professional plumbers if the smell persists.
Expired Cleaning Products and other Chemicals
Typical cleaning agents like bleach and other detergents can leave bad smells if left for a long time in the kitchen cabinets. Experts suggest you remove all the old cleaning agents around your kitchen once you use them.
Alternatively, you can store them in an air-tight bag if you plan to use them. Either way, manufacturers always include the ideal procedure for storing or disposing of these agents.
Grease And Oil Deposits
Grease and oil deposits from cooking activities can also lead to a stinky smell in your kitchen. The fastest way to deal with this is by wiping the kitchen cabinets regularly using a damp cloth.
You may also install an exhaust fan to remove any smell while cooking.
How to Remove the Smell Under Your Sink
Hot Water and Dish Soap
Fill your sink at least half with hot water, then plug it in using a stopper. Remove the plug and pour little dish soap inside. Start the garbage disposal as the sink is draining.
Baking Soda or Vinegar
Toss a cup of baking soda and another of vinegar down the drain, then wait for ten minutes. Heat a kettle of water (around six cups) while you wait.
Flush the hot water through the drain to help any leftover particles travel along. Alternatively, you can apply essential oils and scented candles.
Citrus Peels, Salt, and Ice
Run the garbage disposal for up to 15 seconds after dropping several ice cubes and an assortment of kosher or rough salt down the drain. The ice and salt will scrape off any food particles on the disposal’s edges and sides.
After that, put a few peels of citrus in the garbage disposal and crush them up to act as a deodorizer. To prevent your garbage disposal from being clogged with additional food debris, ensure that to turn on the water as you crush the citrus peels.
You most likely have a plumbing problem if the smell remains after cleaning your drain, you most likely have a plumbing problem.
Sewer Smells
Your home’s plumbing system is intended to keep dangerous gases in check, flush out sewage, and give you access to clean, drinkable water. If you can smell sewer gas in the kitchen, something is wrong with the plumbing.
This can be dangerous for your health in addition to being irritable. Because sewer gases are poisonous, they shouldn’t be inhaled for extended periods or by people with weakened immune systems.
P-trap
A P-trap is a curved section of the pipe beneath the sink that looks like a “p” or a “u.” Separating the drain pipe from the fitting prevents unpleasant smells.
To stop the smell, the trap under each light bulb keeps water at the bottom of the curve. A sewage scent would come from the sink if the P-trap were dry.
Evaporation as the source of the odor might be disregarded if the sink is used frequently.
Blockage
The lowest part of the curve has a little cap that enables you to assess for clogs and remove them if discovered. Remove the obstruction and flow the water briefly to get the trap back to its ideal level. Please use an odor neutralizer to curb any smell while trying to solve the issue.
Leak
It is simple to disconnect the connectors on both sides of the P-trap. Disconnect the P-trap by unscrewing the connectors. Keep in mind that it can include water! Once you remove the pipe, check it for leaks and thoroughly clean it.
If you discover a leak, carefully measure the area, note your findings, and purchase a replacement trap the same size. Replacing the P-trap and moving on to the next possible cause should you not have discovered a leak using this technique.
Clogged Vent
At least one major vent that emerges via the roof is present in every home. The majority of municipal ordinances require this to have a minimum diameter of 4 inches, and all fittings must be vented.
This enables the air in the pipework to “vent,” allowing the water to flow freely. The water’s ability to drain effectively can be slowed down if the vent is blocked.
Remove All Animal Carcasses
If you discover carcasses of any animal waste under your sink, you should clear them up immediately before they start smelling awful. First, ensure you always use rubber gloves when disposing of the mess.
When clearing up such a mess, experts recommend using a disinfectant spray.
Why is My Bathroom Smelling Like Something Died?
If the stench comes from the drain, silt accumulation from frequent showering could be to blame.
Sediments consist of things like hair, detergent, and dead skin. Biofilm is the term for this type of deposited silt. It causes odor problems and drain clogging over time.
You can use a degreaser cleaner to unblock the drains and eliminate any residue buildup in your plumbing lines.
How Does Mold Under Sink Smell Like?
The best description for the odor of mold growing under your sink is “musty” or “stale.” The mold releases a cocktail of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible for the musty odor. Notes of mustiness, earthiness, decaying, or sourness can all be attributed to VOCs.
To eliminate this stuffy smell, use a mold-killing spray to eliminate all living organisms under your sink.
