5 Common Causes Behind Stinky Plumbing Problems

Your plumbing doesn’t have to stink, but if it does, we can explain why. The lingering stench cannot go unnoticed and stinky plumbing is quite common. Rest assured though, we’re here to help and share our expertise with you.

Check out these Common Causes of permeating plumbing smells:

Built Up Bacteria

There’s bacteria everywhere including your pipes and septic. Add in the biofilm (“slimy goo that forms” in the plumbing composed of bacteria and bacteria byproduct – that just got real). Next, contemplate what goes down the drains each day – hair, dirt, food, and sticky personal hygiene products to name a few. Over time these add up and gunk up.

P-Trap Problems

This P shaped piece of pipe is located under your sink and in other fixtures behind walls. It holds a certain amount of water that blocks sewer odors and gases from seeping out your drains. Plumbing that isn’t used often like a toilet or shower is susceptible to that helpful amount of water drying up. When that happens, the stench and gases from the sewer may seep into your home.

Absent or Clogged Vent Pipes

Have you ever wondered where the gas and odors go (let’s leave Cousin Ralph out of this)? Vent pipes are designed to vent these, and they are connected like a small network to your drain pipes. If you didn’t have vent pipes you wouldn’t want to be in your house for very long! A similar situation can happen if one of your vent pipes is clogged. The stench is going to make an entry. The vent pipes are responsible for cycling in fresh clean air – it’s called the DWV (Drain Waste Vent). You may be able to see vent pipes protruding through your home – those are the vertical vent pipes. Their job is to vent smells away from other vents and your windows.

Garbage Disposal

Food trapped in your garbage disposal can reek beyond description. Forgetting to run the disposal means the organic scraps you pushed in there are doing their decomposition dance under your nose. It’s all natural, but it still smells horrid and could be the culprit.

Sewer Line Breach

A breach is any hole or crack that can stem from tree roots, clogs causing pressure, or the line splitting as it moves and settles underground. When this happens, it may lead to a sewage leak. Anytime there is leaking sewage there will be a strong awful odor. You’ll smell it indoors and outdoors; your neighbors may even smell it.

Whatever the cause, we’ve here to help eliminate the stink and repair any issue. Our expert plumbers can clean/repair your home’s plumbing and get you back on track (or back on the neighbor’s good graces). Remember when life smelled great? LaVergne's team wants that for you and your home again!