For most people, a bathroom should always be clean and hygienic. But what happens when your bathroom sink smells awful despite your best cleaning efforts? Not only is it a nuisance, but it is also unhygienic. The cause of the smell can be one of many things, some of which can easily be fixed. In this blog post, we will talk about the most common reasons why your bathroom sink might stink, and what you can do to fix it.
Poor Drain Maintenance
The most common reason why your sink smells is because of poor drain maintenance. Over time, hair, dirt, soap scum, and other debris can accumulate in the drain, causing a foul odor. To fix this, you can try pouring hot water and baking soda down the drain. Alternatively, you can remove the drain stopper and clean out any debris that might have accumulated there.
Clogged Drainpipe
Another reason why your bathroom sink smells is because of a clogged drain. If the water does not flow down the sink, it means that there is a blockage somewhere in the drainpipe, which can lead to an unpleasant smell. This is usually caused by accumulated hair, soap scum, or other debris, and you need to remove the blockage to get rid of the smell.
Faulty P-Trap
The P-trap is a U-shaped pipe under the sink that prevents sewer gas from entering your bathroom. If the P-trap becomes faulty or dries up, then a sewer gas smell can enter your bathroom through the sink. To remedy this, you can pour a small amount of water into the P-trap to create a seal, which will prevent the sewer gas from entering your bathroom.
Bacterial Growth
Bacterial growth can also be a cause of foul smells coming from your bathroom sink. Bacteria can grow in various places, including the sink overflow, the drainpipe, and the faucet aerator. Cleaning your bathroom sink regularly and using cleaning solutions can help get rid of bacterial growth and its accompanying bad smell.
Leaks
Finally, leaks can also be a source of a bad smell coming from the bathroom sink. If there’s a leak, it usually results in stagnant water, which can lead to mold and mildew growth, and consequently, an awful smell. You should call a professional plumber to find and fix the leak before it causes more damage.
Conclusion
A foul smell coming from your bathroom sink can be unpleasant and unhygienic. While there are several reasons why your sink might smell bad, most of the reasons are easily fixable. Doing regular drain maintenance, cleaning your sink regularly, and calling a professional plumbing service to fix a leak or install a new P-trap can help get rid of the bad smell, leaving your bathroom clean and smelling fresh.