Clearing the Air on Foul Sink and Drain Odours in Vancouver

Most people are pretty diligent about keeping their kitchen and bathroom sinks clean. But what about the drains? Ask any plumber in Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster or anywhere else on the Lower Mainland and they’ll tell you that the plumbing in the two hardest working rooms of the house often gets ignored. Keep reading to learn why your sinks or drains may smell bad, what you can do about it, and when you should call a professional.

Reasons for a Smelly Sink 

There are a number of reasons why bad odours might be emanating from your sinks, with the most common being:

• Bacteria. A buildup of bacteria may smell faintly of rotten eggs and will cause the water to drain more slowly. Bacterial buildups are fairly common and typically don’t pose much of a risk to your health.

• Food. Just like bacteria, if rotten food is allowed to build up inside your drains, you might start to notice an unpleasant smell. Take care not to allow food waste down the drain unless you have a garbage disposal. Otherwise, you could end up with a tough clog in addition to that unpleasant odour.

• Mould. A musty smell could indicate the presence of mould. The mould could be growing inside the pipes, underneath the drain or there may be a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. Mould is toxic and can contribute to a number of health problems. If you suspect that you have mouldy pipes, have a plumber come and take a look before it starts to spread.

• Sewer smells. Sewer smells are usually a result of sewer gas that has found its way through your pipes and into your home. The smell of sewer gas could mean that your home is at risk of a sewer back-up. Call one of the friendly and professional plumbers from Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating without delay if you suspect that this is the case.

Keeping the Odours at Bay
For a quick, short-term solution, simply treat the smell with a mixture of any combination of the following:

• Boiling water
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Salt
• Lemon juice

When rotting food or bacteria is the culprit, a little bit of baking soda and boiling water is usually enough to get rid of the smell. But if you suspect mould or sewer gas could be the source of the stench, call a plumber from Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating to investigate without delay.

Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating has been providing professional plumbing services to customers from Langley, Burnaby, Tsawwassen, North Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster, and throughout the Lower Mainland for more than 50 years. If you need a plumber, contact Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating today!