The unpleasant smell of rotten eggs is actually the scent coming up from the sewers. It is accompanied by a chemically called hydrogen sulfide gas. If you have not used the shower drain for a period of time, the water in the P-trap will dry up. It generates a sulfur smell and diffuses upwards into each space. A large amount of hydrogen sulfide gas is harmful to the human body. It is especially for children and the elderly with weak immunity. Prolonged exposure to such odor can cause dizziness and nausea. Thus, Your drain is permeating or the smell of rotten eggs has not appeared. So please be alert as soon as possible. Also, you can read this article. It is useful for you to have the necessary information. What is the source of the smell of rotten eggs? How can we prevent it?
Where does the Rotten Egg Smell from the Toilet Come From?
Most homeowners believe their home is spotless until they notice a strange odor. The odor is emanating from their bathroom. It appears to be coming from the shower. The majority of the time, this is because the drain has been gathering debris for a long time. Over time, the debris acts as a food source for anaerobic bacteria, which are like filthy water. These pollutants release hydrogen sulfide gas in their waste after the meal. It causes odors. Let us look at the problem’s other causes.
Clogged Water Pipes
When you smell rotten eggs in the shower room, it is likely that the odor comes from the shower drain sewer. The blockage or partial clogs of the sewer pipe will cause the water to drain. Yet a large number of bacteria will gather in the U-shaped trap to form a biofilm that adheres to the wall. It produces hydrogen sulfide gas. In this case, you can remove the shower drain cover to manually clean up the hair or other impurities. They are attached to the panel. After that, check the obstacles in the sewer, and hook them out with a metal hanger or a drain snake. Finally, finish with a certain amount of hot water.
Water Shortage in P-Trap
The P-trap presents a U-shape and is under the drain pipe. During normal work, it can hold a certain amount of water. It is to prevent the smell of the sewer from returning to the shower room. If there is a lack of water in this component, it will lead to a backlash of odor. Also, there are even a large number of cockroaches and red ants. When you smell the rotten eggs in the bathroom, you might as well check the water storage in the P-trap.
Water Contamination
If you smell something similar in the water, you have to consider the water quality. This is most common when homes get their water from a well or another source of still water. Organic material, such as leaves and branches, can contaminate these water sources. Sulfur bacteria in the water will break down this plant matter and other stuff over time. They will release hydrogen sulfide gas as a result. The stench of rotting eggs is caused by hydrogen sulfide gas. It will cause health problems. You should contact a professional plumber as soon as possible. He will test the water quality and check the hydrogen sulfide level. Finally, please report the situation to the local water supply company in time.
Old House Commonalities
Plumbing that has been damaged by cracks or decaying is common in older homes or residences. They have been vacant for a long time. You will notice the strength of the stench if you take control of a home like this. Mice devour the plastic plumbing. But the metallic plumbing wears out and leaks. As a result, sewage gases are released into the shower. You can avoid these problems with regular upkeep and routine maintenance.
Hot Water Heater
If you smell rotten eggs when you turn on the hot water, the reason is a chemical reaction inside hot water heater. The protagonists are magnesium rod and sulfate. A magnesium anode rod is in many water heaters, and it serves a crucial purpose. The magnesium anode rod is a sacrificial component. It designs to succumb to rust and corrosion before your water heater, extending its life. Sulfur bacteria are present in your water. They come into contact with the corroded magnesium anode rod. Thus, hydrogen sulfide is produced. Their combination not only corrodes and destroys water pipes but also produces gas. It smells like rotten eggs. Putting this reason last is due to its low probability. When there is a problem inside the hot water heater, you can only smell it in a confined space that uses a lot of hot water.
How do Prevent the Smell of Rotten Eggs?
Keep the Sewer Area Clean
When the problem arises, it is too late, so the most thorough solution is to make early prevention. You can prevent the smell of rotten eggs in your bathroom or kitchen. The first thing you need to do is to keep the sewer area clean. Regular cleaning of shower drains and disposal of garbage are effective preventive measures. They are against the sulfur smell.
Keep Water in the Trap
Always spray the shower drain with a small amount of water, and keep water in the trap for deodorization. The sewer in the house does not have a trap. So it is necessary to install a functional deodorizing floor drain in advance.
Keep the Drainage System Unobstructed
Avoid clogging caused by the accumulation of grease, hair, and other debris. Also, ensure that no other matter affects the drainage performance. Appropriate use of shower drain cleaner can clean up the drainpipe. But be sure not to use strong corrosive chemicals. They include hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid.
Clean up Rotten Food Regularly
Finally, please be sure to pay attention to the unusual smell in the living space. There are many factors that can cause this odor to escape from your restroom. In daily life, the most common source of hydrogen sulfide is rotten foods. They are especially foods with high sulfur content, such as eggs. The reason why we use “rotten egg” to describe hydrogen sulfide is due to the “stinky smell” of rotten eggs. After spoilage, due to the action of bacteria, sulfur will combine with hydrogen. Also, it will produce hydrogen sulfide.
Repair and Maintenance of Plumbing Systems
The recommendation for homes is to perform regular plumbing system repair and upkeep.It includes the usage of filtration or softening devices. They can prevent impurities or germs from entering the system. Contact a plumber for a pipe inspection each time you observe a warning sign. It is such as odors, leaks, or a potential increase in your monthly water costs.
FAQ:
Q1: Is it harmful?
A1: There is an unpleasant tingling sensation in your nostrils. So hydrogen sulfide is an unhealthy hazard. When found in your water source, it does nothing but causes a major annoyance. As a result, let us figure out a way to get rid of your foul odor.
Q2: How to get rid of the smell?
A2: To get rid of the foul odor, have your tank flushed and disinfected by a plumber. This will cut the bacteria and particles that cause hydrogen sulfide to form. If your anode rod is corroded, a plumber can replace it during a water heater flush. It is to avoid the smell from recurring.
Q3: What is the source of that sulfur odor?
A3: The odor of rotting eggs is actually hydrogen sulfide, a sewage gas component. It is in sewers. Microbial organic matter breaks down in the absence of oxygen and generates an odor. This is why it stinks so terrible.
FAQs
Why does My Shower Smell Like Rotten Eggs? - YZDRAIN? ›
If your shower drain smells like rotten eggs, you can use the same strategy as your bathroom sink: Flush out a clogged drain with a combo of baking soda, vinegar and hot water. See if the smell improves.
How do you fix a shower that smells like rotten eggs? ›If your shower drain smells like rotten eggs, you can use the same strategy as your bathroom sink: Flush out a clogged drain with a combo of baking soda, vinegar and hot water. See if the smell improves.
How do I get rid of the sulfur smell in my shower drain? ›If the Sulfur Smell in Your Drains is coming from the bathroom sinks, one way to get rid of it and to eliminate the clog causing it. Pour a half-cup of Baking soda down the drain. Follow this with a full cup of vinegar, and then continue to flush with hot water.
How do you fix a shower drain that smells like sewage? ›- Remove the drain cover. Clean it thoroughly with hot water and an all-purpose cleaner. ...
- Add baking soda and vinegar. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain, then add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar. ...
- Flush the drain. Pour hot water down the drain to clear it.
What you can do: Try this: put a couple teaspoons of baking soda in the drain and then pour in some vinegar. Then chase it with a pot of boiling water. The foaming of the baking soda/vinegar eats away at the junk in the drain and the boiling water helps wash it all away and sanitizes the drain.
Is it OK to shower in water that smells like rotten eggs? ›When it comes to showering in water that smells like sulfur, it's generally considered safe. The water is still safe to drink and use for other household purposes, and the smell is not harmful to your skin or hair.
Why is there a sewer smell coming from my shower? ›There are several common causes for a sewage odor coming up from the shower drain, including a clog in the drain line, a dry or dirty P-trap, mold or biofilm build-up, and leaking drain lines in the walls, ceiling, or under the floor.
How long does it take for water to stop smelling like sulfur? ›Chlorination can kill sulfur bacteria. If all bacteria are not destroyed by chlorination, the problem may return within a few weeks. Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for several hours. This will destroy the sulfur bacteria.
How do I get rid of sewer gas smell in my bathroom? ›How do you get rid of a sewer smell? Pouring hot water mixed with vinegar and baking soda down your smelly drains is an effective way to get rid of the sewer smell. Leave the mixture for about 10 to 15 minutes before running any water through the pipes.
How do you fix a smelly bathroom drain? ›Boiling water poured into the drain is a quick cleanser for minor odors. A baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water combo can add extra power for breaking up the buildup in your drain's pipes. Periodically adding baking soda down your drain can keep the sink fresh and odor-free.
Why you should never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain? ›
While the baking soda and vinegar solution is effective in breaking down a clog, it will also cause your drain to become more damaged. The baking soda's abrasive nature will wear down your drain over time. This is why you should avoid using baking soda and vinegar solution for cleaning out your drain.
What is best to unclog shower drain? ›First, if you have metal pipes, pour boiling water down the drain. Then remove hair from the drain. If that doesn't work, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If the clog persists, use a plunger, plumber's snake or chemical drain opener.
Will bleach fix a smelly drain? ›Pour Some Bleach in It: Bleach, like other disinfectants, kills almost every species of odor-causing bacteria commonly found in drains and sewer lines. So, an easy DIY step to reduce drain odor is to use bleach.
Does pouring vinegar down a drain help with smell? ›Vinegar contains acid which neutralizes odor, cuts through grease and helps disinfect. By heating up (but not boiling) four cups of vinegar, pouring half down the drain, running the water for a minute and then pouring the remaining vinegar down the drain, you can help eliminate smells and smaller clogs.
Can you pour vinegar down a stinky drain? ›“I use the time-honored baking soda and vinegar trick. Dump a good handful of baking soda into the drain, let sit (don't run any water) for 15 minutes, then pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup white vinegar down. Watch the bubbles, hear the pops and fizz, and let it sit for another 15 minutes. Then, boiling water and voila!
Will sewer smell go away on its own? ›When that smell reeks of the sewer, it may not go away on its own but instead, point to a serious problem that might require professional plumbing repair. The wastewater plumbing systems in your home are fairly simple. They rely on unblocked pipes, gravity and fresh air venting to drain.
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.
Why does my water smell like rotten eggs only in one bathroom? ›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.
Is sulfur water bad for your hair? ›Cincotta also notes that sulfur will not damage hair, so there is no need to avoid it. "If hair is healthy and undamaged the sulfur will not find damaged areas in the hair and will rinse out," he says.
Will running the water get rid of sulfur smell? ›Both but goes away: If the smell is strong when the water in both the hot and cold faucets is first turned on, and it diminishes or goes away after the water has run, or if the smell varies through time the problem is likely to be sulfur bacteria in the well or distribution system.
Why does my bathtub smell like sewer? ›
A sewer gas smell in the bathroom can be caused by:
evaporation of water in the P-trap piping. broken seal around the toilet in the wax ring or the caulk. A burst pipe. tree's roots have grown into or have caused damage to your sewer pipes.
One of the most common issues of drain odor is due to blockages and clogs. Any type of blockages, whether they are partial or full, can prevent waste water from properly leaving your home. Over time, this stagnant water sitting in the pipes can build up bacteria and produce pungent odors throughout the night.
Can you leave baking soda and vinegar in drain overnight? ›It is safe to leave baking soda (and vinegar) to work overnight to unclog a drain. Always flush this mixture down with boiling water—no matter how long you leave it sitting in the drain.
How often should you put baking soda and vinegar down your drains? ›A monthly cleaning will allow you to use safe cleaning methods which will save you time, energy and money in the long term. Combine 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of very hot water, and 1 half cup of baking soda and pour the mixture down the drain.
How long does baking soda and vinegar take to unclog a drain? ›Cover with the drain plug and wait 5 to 10 minutes.
Why do plumbers hate Drano? ›Because of its corrosive nature, Drano can cause toilet bowls to crack, PVC pipes to melt or break and the glue that holds pipes together can be eaten away. If any of these things happen, you're going to be left with an inoperable plumbing system and costly repairs.
What dissolves hair in a drain? ›If your drain is clogged with hair, baking soda can dissolve hair in a drain. To try this safe and easy method at home - first, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then pour a cup of vinegar (white vinegar) down. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes.
Is it OK to put Drano down a shower drain? ›You can use Drano® Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but DO NOT use them in toilets. For clogged or slow-running drains, apply the product and let it work 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. For tough problems, allow 30 minutes before flushing.
How do you make homemade drain odor eliminator? ›Step 1: Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup table salt. Step 2: Pour the mixture down the drain. Step 3: Pour 1 cup heated vinegar down your drain; the concoction is going to foam and bubble. Step 4: Let the solution stand for 15 minutes (longer does not work any better).
What happens if you pour bleach and vinegar down the drain? ›The mixing of acidic and alkaline materials creates heat and high pressure, as well as releasing chlorine gas. Not only can you cause your pipes to burst, but you can make the air in your entire home toxic to breathe.
What is the best thing to stop drains smelling? ›
White Vinegar and Baking Soda
All you got to do is run hot water for a few seconds and pour one or two cups of baking soda down the drain plug hole. And then add a couple of cups of hot vinegar. Let it foam up and wait for an hour or two. Flush it through using hot water.
If a kitchen or bathroom sink drain still smells after removing trapped hair and using the baking soda and vinegar, there may be something caught in the p-trap that's causing the odor.
How long does vinegar take to unclog a drain? ›Or you can pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes, followed by a rinse with two quarts of very hot water.
How long does it take for vinegar to remove odors? ›Room odors.
Pour some vinegar in a small bowl, then let sit overnight to erase odors.
Mix 1/2 cup table salt and 1/2 cup baking soda together, and pour down drain. Let sit for about 30 minutes (or overnight if it's a tough clog). Follow with a pot of boiling water.
How does a shower trap stop smells? ›If you can look underneath your shower drain, you'll see a U-shaped pipe that the water passes through. This is the P-trap. The purpose is to hold a small amount of water at all times to block sewage gases from coming back up the pipe and into your bathroom.
What is the best way to deodorize drains? ›Pour a 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Pour a 1/2 cup lemon juice down the drain as well. Plug the drain and let the solution work for one hour. Finish by running the hot tap water down the drain.
What is the best home remedy for a smelly drain? ›Step 1: Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup table salt. Step 2: Pour the mixture down the drain. Step 3: Pour 1 cup heated vinegar down your drain; the concoction is going to foam and bubble. Step 4: Let the solution stand for 15 minutes (longer does not work any better).
Is it OK to put baking soda down the drain? ›With time, baking soda and vinegar may work as a natural drain cleaner on weaker drain clogs, and the benefits of regular drain cleaning can help keep your drains free of clogs. But for tough drain clogs that need to be dissolved right away, you may want to use a stronger drain cleaner, like Liquid-Plumr.