When summer arrives, homes can become a little uncomfortable. Not only can heat and humidity settle in, but you could end up dealing with foul smells coming from your plumbing. At Stang Plumbing & Heating, we want to help you get to the bottom of this issue. Drains can smell awful during the summer months. It’s an odor that can spread throughout the home.
These odors are not always just some trapped grease or food particles that didn’t flush out. Odors can often become very persistent, more foul, and actually indicate deeper problems. Your drains may require professional attention to get rid of these smells. The summer heat and humidity may just amplify the issue.
Why Drains Smell Worse in Summer
The heat and humidity of summer act as an accelerator for biological processes. A variety of food particulate matter gets stuck in your drain year-round. However, when it’s really hot and humid, it starts decaying and growing bacteria. This bacterial growth multiplies and forms colonies, using the organic waste as fuel. The odor you’re smelling is the biological gas released by these organisms. When it’s hotter, this happens at a faster rate.
Odors coming from your sink can linger in the home due to the humidity levels in the air. Moisture traps these smelly particles and suspends them in the air for longer. The gas doesn’t disperse and dissipate like it does during the cold weather. The heat of the season intensifies the stench.
The Most Common Causes of Smelly Drains
It’s a good idea to know what causes these smelly drains. By understanding the cause, you can find a proper solution to kill the processes involved. This is how you can get rid of odors permanently.
Biofilm and Drain Buildup
The most common cause is organic buildup in your drains and accumulated biofilm. This is the sticky layer inside your pipes. It’s a film composed of grease, hair, food debris, and soap scum. The light layer may flush from your pipes just fine, but solid matter can stick around and accumulate. With the heat promoting bacterial growth, this can cause foul odors.
Dry P-Traps
P-traps are those U-shaped pipes under your sink. They’re designed to hold a small amount of water at all times. The water level serves as a barrier that keeps sewer gases from rising up into the home. During a hot summer, that water can evaporate. This means that sewer gases rise up into the home. Any sink that’s unused can easily dry out and cause this stench.
Clogs or Sewer Line Problems
A foul smell from your drains could be a sign of a deeper issue with your system. For instance, you could be dealing with a deep blockage in your pipe. A massive clog or a root intrusion may keep the system from completely flushing. You could also be dealing with damaged sewer lines or blocked plumbing vents. It’s a good idea to give Stang Plumbing & Heating a call to inspect your system.
Signs You Need More Than a Drain Cleaner
You may ultimately end up seeing warning signs that professional help is necessary. Store-bought cleaners only have a limited range.
- Multiple smelly drains in the home
- Slow drainage after the use of chemicals
- Gurgling sounds coming from the pipes
- Overwhelming sewage odors
- Recurring clogs
What You Can Do to Reduce Drain Odors
There are steps you can take to help reduce the odors coming from your drains. Proactive measures when the smells first start may help significantly.
- Flushing unused drains regularly
- Avoiding pouring grease down the sink
- Cleaning drain stoppers frequently
- Scheduling routine drain cleaning
When to Call a Professional Plumber
If you cannot get rid of the smells or have tough clogs, it’s time to call Stang Plumbing. You’re just wasting time and money fighting a losing battle with DIY steps. Plus, harsh cleaners and homemade equipment may cause damage to your plumbing. Our professional plumbers can safely help with larger issues like serious blockages and help keep your drains flowing smoothly.
Eliminate Drain Odors With Stang Plumbing
You should never ignore persistent drain odors. If DIY steps and store-bought products do not help, then the professionals surely can. We have over 70 years of experience in the area. Our trained, licensed plumbers can help with any sort of drain issue causing these odors.
Contact Stang Plumbing and Heating today to schedule professional drain cleaning in Gaithersburg and surrounding areas.
