Drain Odors

All the drains, traps and pipes that carry waste water out of your house require maintenance, just your like furnace requires service and your car requires oil changes. When water goes down the drain--whether it be bathroom, kitchen, or laundry--it first passes through the S-shaped pipe under the sink called the "P-trap" (why it's called a P-trap when it's shaped like an S is a mystery). The downward facing loop in the P-trap contains a small amount of water as a barrier from odors backing up into your drains. The pipe then runs to the main waste line out of the house.

As long as things are running smoothly there will be no problems or odors.

What makes the system not run smoothly?
Buildup... greasy, soapy, oily buildup.

What causes buildup?
Bathing, laundry, and dish washing all cause buildup. Use of a garbage disposal especially contributes to buildup. If you participate in any of these activities (as we all do every day), chances are you have buildup happening right now in your drains and pipes. Buildup will slow the water flow and eventually block the line, causing backup and requiring servicing. It will also be a breeding ground for odors and disease-causing germs.

Also, if a sink has not been used for awhile the p-trap can become dry due to evaporation allowing odors to get back up the drain. Running water down sinks periodically keeps the p-trap and water barrier full.

Airborne Bacteria

There are numerous bacteria, fungi and other organisms in the environment that find their way onto bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Most are not pathogenic (disease causing). They are found in soil, food and on animals, and they may become airborne. Some thrive on moisture and need little else to grow. They may be noticed at the water line in toilet bowls or toilet tanks, on faucets, in sinks, or on shower tiles. They sometimes appear jellylike and are gray, black or even pink in color. The pink colored one is interesting and often gets the attention of the customer. This is the bacteria Serratia marcescens and is from the environment not the water supply.

Room or whole house humidifiers can be the source of airborne bacteria. Regular cleaning, periodic disinfection with household bleach or cleaner and adequate ventilation are necessary to control these organisms.