What Causes Pipe and Drain Odours?
There are several common causes of unpleasant odours coming from pipes and drains:
- Trapped food particles and grease can rot and cause smell issues in the kitchen sink
- Accumulation of hair, soap scum, and other debris in bathroom drains cultivates bacteria, resulting in persistent sewer odours.
- A clogged or common causes blocked drains pipes can emit odours from damaged pipes, allowing sewer gas to escape into your home
- Tree roots infiltrating and compromising the sewer line causes blocked drains and can cause extensive water damage to your property
- Improper pipe and vent installation throughout your home is a common cause of odour issues.
- A dried-up P-trap under sinks and drains can allow foul smells to emerge.
Drains can harbour bacteria and mould, producing the rotten egg scent of hydrogen sulphide gas.
Simple home remedies, such as using a baking soda and vinegar mixture, have been known to eliminate persistent odours. Engaging professional services who know how to get out your persistently smelly odours usually indicates a more complex underlying issue.
How Pipe Relining Can Reduce Odours
The pipe relining process, which represents an innovative trenchless method, rectifies odours stemming from compromised sewer lines. It involves applying a liner specially coated with durable resin to the inner lining of a compromised sewer pipe. This seals cracks and holes where dangerous gas can leak into your home.
For property owners, some key benefits of pipe relining for odour reduction include:
- Prevents bacterial growth and organic matter buildup, effectively eliminating unpleasant odours.
- Seals in sewer gases so they can’t permeate into your property
- Prevents the need to displace your garden for fixing blocked pipes or excavation
- Long lasting solution for up to 50 years
The seamless epoxy coating leaves no gaps or spaces for gases to leak out, and creates an incredibly smooth surface within the existing drainage system that prevents future build-up.
Our CCTV drain investigations reveal odours emanating from your plumbing system could be remedied with pipe relining. We use CCTV cameras to locate problem areas then thoroughly clean and seal pipes. Relining also safeguards the existing pipe against potential damage from broken pipes.
According to industry surveys, over 75% of homeowners reported a reduction in sewer related odours after pipe relining. Get a free quote today if your Leichhardt property suffers from odour issues.
Common Sources of Drain and Pipe Odours
There are several common causes of smelly drains and pipes:
- Hydrogen sulphide gas - This gas has a rotten egg smell and is produced by bacteria acting on human waste and organic matter inside pipes. It’s combustible and hazardous, as serious complications can happen if inhaled in high concentrations.
- Methane gas - Methane, recognised by its characteristic smell, arises from the decomposition of organic matter and can pose safety risks. It can leak through cracks and loose joints.
- Buildup of hair, grease, and debris - This blocks drainage, allowing bacteria growth and bad smells.
- Damaged or improperly installed pipes - Cracks and gaps let foul odours enter the home. Poor ventilation exacerbates this.
- Infiltrating tree roots - Roots can damage sewer pipes, creating a blocked sewer and entry points for gases.
- Dry or faulty P-traps - These traps prevent sewer gases and smell coming out up through drains. If water evaporates from them, a blocked drain in your home can be the culprit for the smell.
Regular maintenance and professional sewer inspection and drain repairs can help eliminate the unwelcome foul smell emitting pungent odours from your drains. If a damaged pipe is causing odours, contact us immediately for emergency repair.
Ultimately, resolving persistent drain smells might just mean having your plumber address the pipe problems through relining or pipe replacement. Traditional old pipes materials, particularly metal, are prone to corrosion - relining creates a protective barrier inside.
The Role of Pipe Materials and Coatings
Pipe materials such as PVC and cast iron affect odour control and drainage performance, with common types used in plumbing including:
- PVC - Durable pipe choices like PVC can effectively resist corrosion. Less prone to cracks that release gases.
- Concrete - Porous and corrodes over time allowing odours through. Needs protective linings.
- Cast iron - Prone to rust and bacteria accumulation. Coatings prevent this.
- Copper - Naturally antimicrobial but still needs relining after decades of use.
Epoxy coatings and plastic liners rejuvenate aged sewer pipes by fortifying their structure. The seamless epoxy barrier prevents gas permeability and stops bacteria clinging to surfaces. It leaves a glass-like coating that won’t decay or erode.
Our sewer drain sealing uses 100% solids, solvent-free epoxy resins or polyurethane products. These substances contain no VOCs and are then cured to achieve optimal chemical resistance and longevity. This effectively seals the existing pipeline, creating new barriers against leaks for the pipe’s lifespan.
With significant odour reduction outcomes, contact us to learn about trenchless pipe relining for long-term odour control without digging.
Step-by-Step DIY Troubleshooting
Below are some practical steps you can take at home to identify and address minor drain odours:
- Pour 1-2 cups of baking soda down the drain followed by an equal amount of vinegar to combat noticeable bad smells. The effervescent chemical reaction can help dissolve buildup and get your job done by clearing some clogs.
- Boil a pot of water, and gradually pour hot water down the drain to dissolve fats and grease. Follow with a rinse of hot saltwater.
- Use a wire coat hanger to gently dislodge any debris or hair caught in the drain.
- For P-traps under sinks and around the house, pour water into them to recreate the water seal that prevents odour backup.
- Consider trying an enzyme drain cleaner monthly to help break down organic matter before it causes blockages.
- Check under sinks for any evidence of leaks that could contribute to mould and moisture-related odours.
Should DIY methods fail to eliminate stubborn odours, our qualified plumbers can conduct comprehensive inspections. We can use a drain camera to inspect inside pipes and determine the root cause, whether there are cracked sections, root intrusions or major blockages causing the odour issue.
When Professional Assistance is Needed
If DIY troubleshooting fails, it’s time to seek professional help to eliminate persistent drain or pipe odours. Leichhardt Plumbing’s licenced technicians have the expertise, equipment and experience to diagnose and fix smelly drain issues.
Call us right away if you notice:
- Strong odours, including sewer smells or dangerous hydrogen sulfide gas, could indicate a system leak
- Drains that back up or cause flooding can often indicate issues with the sewer
- Visible pipe damage such as cracks or leaks
- Previous use of harsh chemical drain cleaners
- Major blockages that repeated plunging can’t clear
We offer comprehensive pipe relining services, utilising advanced drain cameras to inspect pipes and pinpoint areas requiring repair. We can address problem areas with durable pipe relining or install new pipe lining if existing materials are too compromised.
With expertise perfected over 15 years, our team excels at resolving odour problems with trenchless sewer solutions. Reach out to our relining company on 1300 349 338 for professional diagnosis and repairs.
Long-Term Odour Prevention With Pipe Relining
Pipe relining offers a long-term solution for preventing unpleasant drain and sewer odours. The durable epoxy resin or polyurethane lining seals pipes from leaking gases for decades.
To maintain odour-free drainage after pipe relining, follow these tips:
- Weekly, pour boiling water down all drains, including shower drains and infrequently used sinks, to maintain full P-traps.
- Monthly treatments with baking soda and hot vinegar clear pipe grease and maintain drain flow.
- Avoid allowing fats or harsh chemicals into drains, as they could damage the new pipe lining.
- Have professional drain inspections yearly to check for any damage or new blockages
For routine maintenance checks after pipe relining, reach out to our experts at Leichhardt Plumbing.
Our regular servicing includes:
- Drain camera inspections to ensure new lining stays intact
- Hydro jetting, an effective drain cleaning technique, how can also help flush out stubborn mineral deposits
- Clearing roots or other obstructions if present
- Testing for leaks and sealing small repairs if needed
Prevent the return of odour issues - book an inspection with Leichhardt Plumbing on 1300 349 338 for optimal long-term system performance post-relining.
With over 50 years of combined experience, our expert plumbers at our family-owned business ensure the maintenance of odour-free, high-performing plumbing systems.