Our bathrooms are a tranquil, spa-like retreat. If your shower drain is leaking foul odors, this is nearly impossible to make feel like a place to relax. These are the most common reasons for a stench in your shower and what you can do about it.
Main Reason #1: The P-trap is a problem
You can see the U-shaped pipe through which water flows if you look under the shower drain. This is the P-trap. It is used to keep a small amount water in the bathroom and prevent sewage gasses coming back up the pipes.
It’s possible the P-trap water has dried out if you haven’t used the shower for a while. It’s easy to fix this: just run the water in the bathtub for a few seconds and the P trap will refill. The smell should disappear. If you’ve used the shower in recent times, this could indicate that the P-trap is leaking. To eliminate the stench and prevent any further water damage, you need to replace the pipe.
Main Reason #2: Biofilm buildup
Biofilm is a slimy, thin layer of bacteria that can form from the soap, shampoo, and water that goes down the shower drain. It can also accumulate in the pipes. This can not only sound disgusting, but it can also smell very bad.
How can you eliminate biofilm? These household remedies can kill bacteria.
- Mix 1 part bleach with 1 part water and pour it down the drain.
- First, pour 1 cup of baking soda down your drain. Next, add one cup of white vinegar to the drain. After the mixture has fizzed, cover the drain and flush the water with hot water.
Hair can get stuck in the pipes and drains . As a result, this can lead to a biofilm problem that could make it worse. The smell of hair will usually disappear if it can be removed.