The bathroom can house all sorts of nasty smells. Often, these smells can dispel in the air after some time or be neutralized by a scented candle or air freshener. But when the smell is coming from your shower drain, it’s best not to ignore the problem.
Why Does Your Shower Drain Smell?
The smell coming from your shower drain may be caused by a number of things. The first thing you will want to do is use your senses. If the smell is a foul odor, it may be coming from the drain itself. That’s not a problem with your shower drain per se, but it’s still something you should take care of.
Porous materials like cast iron or ceramic can absorb the smell. This could be because the material is new, or it could be because of the material itself. The smell may also be coming from the pipes down below.
If you are using a shower product in your shower, like a shower gel or a shampoo, that may be the culprit. Some shower products contain chemicals that can cause a foul smell.
But if the smell isn’t coming from your shower and is a result of bacteria build-up, you will want to take a look at the materials in your shower drain.
The material used to create a shower drain is important when it comes to odor. Some materials naturally resist the creation of odor under certain circumstances, while others do not.
How to Remove Smells Coming From Your Shower Drain
If you can identify the culprit, then you can take steps to deal with the smell from the source.
1. Do a Cleaning Routine
The first thing you want to do is do a cleaning routine. The purpose of the cleaning routine is to ensure that the shower drain is as clean as possible. This is important because if the drain is dirty, the bacteria and germs will grow faster, and the smell will be worse.
To clean your shower drain, mix a solution of water and vinegar together and pour it down the drain. Use a plunger to help push the mixture down the drain. Leave the solution in the drain for a few minutes and then rinse it off with some more water before slowly turning the water back on.
2. Replace the Drain Filter
If you would like to give your drain an extra cleaning, you can remove the drain filter. The drain filter is a small piece of plastic or metal that is placed in the drain to trap anything that goes down the drain. You can remove the drain filter and clean it either with warm water or vinegar. You will want to be sure to dry it after you clean it.
3. Replace the Drain
If you can’t deal with the smell any longer, then you may want to replace the drain. The easiest way to do this is to hire someone to do it for you.
If you feel comfortable with doing it yourself, then you will want to remove the screws that hold the drain in place. After that, you want to take a hammer and chisel to clean the drain away. If you want to try and save the drain, you can use a plumber’s wrench to remove the drain.
After cleaning the drain, you can reinstall it. Be sure to use the drain gasket and rubber cap to keep the water from leaking out.
In Summary
Obviously, the smells coming from your shower drain are unwelcome, but you can take steps to address your shower drain and get rid of the smell. You can deal with the smell by taking steps to clean the drain and replace the drain filter. If these methods don’t work in your case, then you may want to replace the drain.
Replace your drain with the help of Plumb One. We are a family-owned company that provides various plumbing services in Birmingham. With continued education in new techniques and implementing the most modern equipment available, we believe that Plumb One, Inc. can provide the best possible services for our customers. Call us now!