The most likely cause would be syphoning, where the flow of water in the waste pipe empties the P-trap. This could be due to too small a diameter pipe and/or lack of vent in the pipework to prevent a vacuum caused by draining water.
How do I stop my P-trap from smelling?
To eliminate odors coming from a dry p-trap, pour half a gallon of water into the trap to restore the barrier. It will prevent the odors from seeping through the drain. Another helpful method is to add a cup of white vinegar bleach to get rid of larvae and slow down the evaporation.
Why does my sink smell when I run water?
Bacteria growing in the drain is the most common reason for this smell. Over time, organic matter, like food waste, will accumulate on the walls of the drain and act as a nutrient for bacteria to grow. The bacteria can produce a gas (sulfur) which smells like rotten eggs or sewage.
Why does my P-trap smell?
If a sink sits long enough without being used, the water in the p-trap can evaporate allowing the smelly sewer gases to enter through the drain. This happens faster in dry climates. The fix is simple — just run some water in the drain once every few weeks and the smells should stay away.
How long does it take for P-trap to dry?
P-traps can dry out as quickly as a month, sometimes even less than that. This happens most often in winter. To prevent your P-trap from drying out, run the sink or shower for a minute or two once a week to keep water flowing and your P-traps from drying out.
Why does my bathroom sink smell like sewer when I run water?
The vent pipe is your sewerage system’s breather. When it gets clogged, the sewer gases can back up into the sinks and the toilet, resulting in your bathroom’s sewage smells. You may experience a bubbling sound coming from the toilet or the drain as sewer gas forces its way into the bathroom.
What does a dry P-trap smell like?
Dry air might just be the cause of that unpleasant rotten egg smell in your home. Especially during winter, a P-trap can dry up and allow sewer gas to enter the home.
How do I get the smell out of my kitchen sink drain?
Baking soda and vinegar
- Pour half a cup of baking soda down the plughole.
- Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the plughole.
- Let the solution foam up and leave it to stand for a few hours.
- Pour some boiling water down the plughole to flush everything through.
How do you tell if P-trap is working?
Is your P-trap working properly? If you detect any foul odors near the P-trap that remind you of a smell similar to rotten eggs, then it means that there is hydrogen sulfide present. This, and other harmful gases, bacteria, and viruses, can get into the house if your plumbing trap has malfunctioned.
Why does my bathroom sink drain smell like rotten eggs?
If you are noticing the smell of rotten eggs, it is possible that your water or sink drain is contaminated. It could also be that the drain is clogged or partially drained. When sinks are clogged, they drain slowly, which can cause bacteria to build up in the p-trap and create the hydrogen sulfide gas.
How do you get rid of sewer gas smell in bathroom sink?
Baking soda and vinegar
Start by pouring ¼ cup of baking soda down the drain, and then leave it for about 10 minutes. Then, follow it with one cup of vinegar. Let the mixture fizzle and work for a few minutes, and then finish by turning on the water and running the disposal to clear out any leftover food waste.
