Your shower is supposed to be the source of relaxation and cleanliness, not smelly odors. There are several possible reasons why your shower drain starts to smell. Luckily, most of the reasons are easy to fix. Take a look at some of the possible reasons why your shower drain is smelling and what you can do to resolve the issue.
Mold or Mildew
Mold and mildew thrive in dark and wet environments. That’s exactly the type of environment your shower drain is. To check to see if mold or mildew is the cause of the smell, take off your strainer/stopper to see if it’s positioned correctly and check to make sure the drain cover itself is properly sealed. Any space between the drain cover and the tub or the stainer and the tub are the most likely places for mold and mildew growth.
Dry P-Trap
A “p-trap“ is the curved section of a drain that connects a fixture to the rest of the draining system. Its curved shape allows it to catch and hold some of the water that goes through it. It’s also designed to use the leftover water to block sewer gases from going up the drain. What you’re smelling if you have a dry p-trap is odors from the sewer.
Clogged/Blocked Vents
Your shower’s vents are responsible for directing the air that is pushed out by the introduction of water. Sometimes debris gets stuck into these vents and develops a sort of “bird\s nest” at its entrance. The result is a smelly shower drain. Sometimes these birds nests are easily reached and you can clean it yourself, other times a professional is needed to reach deeper clogs.
Clogged Strainer or Stopper
That piece of metal that you usually see hair, soap scum, and other types of debris is called your drain’s strainer or stopper. They help prevent your drains from getting clogged, but without regular cleaning, the fixture can become clogged. If your shower’s strainer is clogged, what you smell is the result of accumulated debris still stuck on the fixture. Luckily, these are usually easy to clean by hand.
We’re Here to Fix Your Smelly Drains
Michael Runk Plumbing & Heating knows how uncomfortable a bad-smelling shower can be, and that’s why we’re here to help 24/7. We offer flexible scheduling, affordable rates, and quality craftsmanship so you know that your plumbing is in good hands. Call or contact us today to schedule your appointment.