How to get rid of stink from the sink. Unpleasant odor from the kitchen sink: why does it appear and how to eliminate it? Protecting the water seal from drying out

When the kitchen smells like sewage, it causes a lot of inconvenience and is unsafe for health. The aroma intensifies over time, spreading throughout the apartment. Need to know possible reasons the occurrence of odor from the kitchen sink, how to eliminate it and prevent its reappearance.

Appearance unpleasant odor in the kitchen sink.

Causes of unpleasant odor

A mandatory element of the sink drainage system is a siphon - a device made of metal or plastic, the design of which ensures that a certain amount of water drained into the sewer is retained in it. This creates a water barrier that prevents sewer fumes from entering the room.

If you don't install a siphon under the sink, the kitchen will soon smell like sewage. The same will happen in case improper installation this element or its mechanical damage.

Other causes of stink:

Formation of blockage. Fat, food debris, and viscous components fall into the drain, which are layered on the walls of the pipes and settle in the siphon. They create a breeding ground for putrefactive bacteria, as a result of whose activity appears bad smell spreading throughout the kitchen.
Evaporation of water barrier. This happens when the sink is left inactive for a long time.
Appearance air lock in system. Air occupies part of the diameter drain pipe, interferes with the drainage of water, causing its jerky passage with a characteristic gurgling sound. It partially comes back, which causes the stench. Reasons for airing: blockages, depressurization of components, errors in planning or installing sewerage.
Corrugation stretching. This pipe is deformed under its own weight and impact hot water, which can lead both to the return and stagnation of liquid in the sagging part, and to the complete drainage and disappearance of the hydraulic barrier.

The smell appears not only due to air entering the kitchen from the sewer, but also due to leakage Wastewater if the tightness of the drainage system is compromised, for example, if the gasket at the joint is thinned or the pipe is mechanically damaged.

You can get rid of the stench only by identifying and eliminating the cause of its occurrence. In most cases, you can correct the situation yourself by manually cleaning the sewer, using specialized household chemicals or improvised means.

Mechanical elimination methods

First, you should disassemble and clean the siphon. If the blockage is not found here, it may be located elsewhere. To eliminate it, use a plunger or a special cable. After cleaning, the sink must be treated with a disinfectant.

Steel rope

When the clog is located far from the kitchen sink drain hole, a plumbing cable with a hook at the end will help remove it. metal brush or other suitable attachment. For plastic pipes It is recommended to use a device with a rubberized braid.

Cleaning a sink with a steel cable.

Work order:

Disconnect the corrugated element. Direct the end of the unfolded cable into the opened hole and push it as far as possible towards the riser.
Rotate the handle in one direction and gently push it down the pipe until it hits the dirt plug.
Continuing rotation, try to insert the cable even deeper. If this fails, you need to pull it out a little, then rotate and push it again.
Sometimes the cork or part of it can be removed by picking it up with a hook located at the end. Therefore, the cable is periodically completely removed, inspected and cleaned, and then reinserted into the pipe.
When the area can be easily traversed, the device is removed, washed and wiped dry. The corrugation is connected, the drain is washed abundantly hot water.

All manipulations are performed with caution. Not only blockage, but also the design features of the system (bending, joint) can interfere with the free passage of the cable. The force can break the seal or damage the inner surface of the pipe, making it easier for solid particles to take hold.

plunger

If a characteristic smell appears and the water in the sink does not drain well, the reason is most likely that the siphon or the pipe connected to it is clogged. You can clean them with a plunger. Place it in the sink and press it tightly, making sure that the rubber nozzle completely covers the drain hole. Now you need to draw a little hot water and make several vigorous movements, alternately pressing on the handle from above and loosening the pressure, then sharply remove the plunger from the drain.

The steps are repeated several times until the blockage is cleared, after which the remaining dirt deposits are washed off with a stream of hot water. You can clean a bathtub or washbasin in the same way, but you need to cover the overflow hole with a rag or tape.

Using a plunger to clean a kitchen sink.

Chemicals

When your kitchen smells like sewage, you can use chemical cleaners. They not only remove unpleasant odors, but also eliminate blockages, dissolve body fat, disinfect the drain. They contain caustic and toxic components, therefore, when in contact with them, you must protect your eyes, respiratory organs and skin of your hands, and after use you must thoroughly ventilate the room.

They come in the form of liquid, granules, powder or gel. Powder products are characterized by increased activity, and gel products are the safest for human health and elements of the drainage system.

Mole. Inexpensive, effective cleaner. Available in liquid, gel and granular powder form. Deletes different kinds dirt, including hair, but it works slowly.
Tiret. A gel product used primarily for preventive cleaning. The Turbo variety is more effective and acts quickly enough, but is unsafe for copper and rubber parts. Does not always cope with complex blockages.
Floop. Granules that are activated by hot water. A powerful product that removes dirt plugs in just a few minutes. May damage thin plastic.
Mr Muscle. Produced in granular and gel forms. Suitable for all types of drains. Sometimes the result appears after a few hours.
Sanox. A soft, inexpensive product in the form of a gel. It works slowly and does not give off a heavy odor. Doesn't always help.
Deboucher. Liquid for cleaning drain pipes, safe for enamel and plastic parts. It acts quickly; for complex stains, the activity time is extended.
Pothan. One of the most expensive drugs. It comes in the form of granules. Copes with difficult blockages, which as a result of a violent reaction can rip off the pipe, deform or corrode thinned plastic.
White. The liquid will help remove odors and disinfect drains, but it will not cope with complex contaminants.

Cleaning the sink with chemicals.

After applying the chemicals, the softened residues are washed off with a stream of hot water, leaving the tap open for 15-20 minutes.

Traditional methods for cleaning pipes

The means at hand are non-toxic and safe for drains. They will help get rid of unpleasant odors and clear small blockages.

Soda

Cleaning sinks with baking soda.

Baking soda is a good degreaser and has antibacterial properties, so it can help remove odors from your sink. The sewer system is first cleaned using a plunger.

Half a glass of the product is diluted with boiling water in a ratio of 1:3, the mixture is poured into the hole and left for 30 minutes. If the result is weak, the procedure is repeated.

To combat blockages, soda is used in a mixture with vinegar (1:1). It is recommended to heat the latter slightly with the hood on.

First, pour at least 150 g of bicarbonate powder into the sink hole, then pour in vinegar and close the drain with a stopper or rag. After half an hour, the pipe is washed with several liters of boiling water, then the hot water tap is left open for 10 minutes.

Salt

This product has good cleansing properties, including removing grease and eliminating unpleasant odors.

Mode of application:

Dissolve 0.5 cups of salt in 2 liters of boiling water.
Pour the liquid into the sink. Leave for several hours.
Rinse thoroughly with a stream of hot water.
If necessary, repeat the procedure.

Salt is often used in combination with an equal amount of baking soda or mixed in a 1:2 ratio. The mixture is placed in the drain and poured with a small volume of boiling water. It is better to do this at night, because the sink cannot be used for 8-10 hours. The drain will need to be flushed in the morning.

Dry mustard

Mustard powder is effective in combating fat deposits and unpleasant odors from the sink. It is enough to add 2-3 tbsp. l. mustard and pour 1 liter of boiling water over it. After 20 minutes, the drain is washed. If there is a blockage, this method must be used with caution so as not to aggravate the situation.

Dry mustard to clean the sink.

Preventive measures

To prevent sewer smell, you should:

install a siphon under the sink rather than connecting the drain directly;
use special mesh filters for the sink, preventing solid particles from entering the drain;
regularly rinse the pipes with hot water and soda solution to remove grease;
periodically inspect components for leaks and repair them.

If the sink will not be used for a long time, it is recommended to pour a little vegetable or machine oil into the drain hole. This will protect the hydraulic barrier from drying out, and sewer gases will not penetrate into the room. In the future, the drain will need to be degreased.

It seems that all hygiene rules are being followed, but the sink still emits unpleasant sewage odors from time to time. And it’s not always possible to get rid of them - without knowing the cause, it’s difficult to eliminate the consequences.

Why does a foul odor occur?

Before you figure out why your sink smells like sewer, you should have an idea of how the system works. All plumbing fixtures (bathtub, toilet, sink, washbasin) converge through waste pipes into one common sewer system that runs along all floors of the riser, which has an exhaust hole in its upper part.

Check and replace, if necessary, sink drain pipes

All sanitary fixtures in the area before entering the sewer pipe have a special siphon in the form of a curved elbow, the main function of which is to hold the water seal. This water “plug” in the elbow prevents odors from the pipes from entering the room.

The main reason for the stench in the kitchen is problems with the water seal:

The knee may not be positioned at the correct angle or height.
If the siphon is made of corrugation, then over time it loses its shape.
The device had not been cleaned for a long time, and residual grease had accumulated on the walls.
If the sink has not been used much, the water in the seal may evaporate.
Moisture also evaporates if heating pipes pass under the sink.

Another reason why an unpleasant odor may appear in the kitchen is flaws in the installation of the system. Poor sealing of pipes and incorrectly selected cross-section diameters will be the culprits in the penetration of sewer odors into the kitchen.

It is no coincidence that the common sewer drain pipe has access to the attic of the house - this is necessary for ventilation of the system and removal of cloaca aromas to the outside. Sometimes, during renovations, residents of the top floors simply remove the “extra” (in their opinion) section of the pipe, thereby blocking the exit. It is not surprising that the smells will spread throughout all the apartments of the riser.

checking pipes for tightness of connections

How to fix the problem?

When your sink smells like sewer, what to do and what not to do becomes a pressing question. But you definitely don’t need to grab an air freshener: it won’t kill the stench, and it won’t remove it. It is necessary to look for the cause and eliminate it.

To do this, an audit of the entire system is carried out to eliminate malfunctions, leaks, and depressurization. The main attention should be paid to the water seal. To do this, it is advisable not only to inspect the siphon from the outside - it should be temporarily dismantled to check for blockages.

It is better to replace the siphon made of corrugated material with a new one. Don't strive old device returning to its previous state is a temporary measure, because a deformed corrugation, even on wire hangers, will poorly retain water in the seal.

It is enough to clean siphons made of other materials (plastic, metal) from the inside if they are not damaged. When reinstalling, check the correct slope, the height of the pipe and the ratio of pipe diameters. The joints should be reliably sealed.

checking the water seal system

But you should not connect the sink directly to the sewer by removing the water seal elbow. Without a siphon, the smell will penetrate even more into the premises, becoming persistent.

If the cause of the smell is errors in the installation of the sewerage system, do not try to eliminate them yourself - entrust the work to an experienced plumber. As in the case when the neighbor above cut off part of the sewer pipe, let a specialist solve the problem.

Sink cleaning products

Sometimes, in order to find the answer to the question of how to eliminate the smell from the sewer in the kitchen, it is not necessary to immediately unscrew the siphon. You should try first chemicals for cleaning pipes - maybe the reason is only that the drain is clogged with greasy waste.

The following products have a good cleaning effect: “Domestos”, “Mole”, “Brawler”, “Odorgon”. Use them according to the instructions on the packaging, observing all safety measures (these chemicals are toxic). Sometimes it is enough to use a solution of bleach or bleach.

The drug is poured into the sink and through certain time washed off with plenty of water. If one time is not enough, you can repeat the procedure after a couple of days. But if this doesn’t help, then start dismantling the siphon.

cleaning the pipe without removing it with chemicals

Folk remedies

Chemicals may not always be at hand, and the stench becomes intrusive. How to get rid of sewer smell in the kitchen in this situation? Some food products may be useful as a disinfectant:

Table salt (preferably rock salt) is poured into the sink drain hole and the plumbing is not used for 3 hours. The pipes are then washed with plenty of water.
Baking soda poured into the pipe will also work. Next, add table vinegar and leave for half an hour. In this case, it is advisable to cover the drain hole with something so that foam does not come out (a derivative of the reaction of soda with vinegar).
You can also use dry mustard - it will both clean the sewer pipes and block the unpleasant odor.

Washing soda can also help. It is first filled with boiling water and immediately poured into the sink drain hole. But the procedure must be carried out carefully, because... the reaction will occur instantly, and the bubbling solution may harm you.

regular cleaning of pipes and checking the elbow for blockages

Preventive measures

The smell of sewage from the sink can be avoided if you follow some rules for caring for your plumbing:

The drain cleaning procedures described above should be carried out not only when a persistent smell appears from the sewer. It is necessary to clean the drain (and not just in the kitchen sink) at least once a month. And salt or soda can be used even more often - once a week. This will keep the pipes relatively clean.
Do not throw leftover food, tea leaves, etc. into the sink. Their small particles, having penetrated the siphon (especially if it is corrugated), clog it, preventing the water seal from functioning normally.
When going on vacation, take care of the condition of the water seal so that you are not surprised by a foul smell when you open the apartment door. Oil (vegetable or machine oil, it doesn’t matter) will help slow down the evaporation of water in the siphon. Pour it down the sink drain (about a shot glass) and drive away quietly. When you return home after relaxing, flush the system warm water using a pre-cleanser.
If there is a need to replace the siphon or other sewer pipes, you should not invite a neighbor or friend who has little knowledge of plumbing work. To avoid any complaints, entrust this task to a specialist.
When choosing a new siphon, do not rely on the advice of inexperienced people and do not rely on the price of the product. The main argument should be quality and ease of use. If further maintenance of the siphon is expected on our own, it is better to buy the flask version (it is also called barrel-shaped). There is a special, easily removable element that allows you to clean the siphon without completely dismantling it.

If the appearance of sewage smell from the kitchen sink is not always the fault of the apartment owners, then eliminating it depends only on them. Maintaining basic hygiene while conducting preventive measures, without relying only on your (sometimes illiterate) abilities, without saving on money, the stench can be, if not completely avoided, then actually reduced.

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Housewives put a lot of work into getting a comfortable cozy atmosphere in the apartment. Special attention is given to the kitchen, because this is where food is prepared and dishes are cleaned of dirt. Unpleasant odors often appear in this room, which gradually spread throughout the apartment. One of the reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon is considered to be a blockage in the sewer system. In our article we will learn how to eliminate odor from the kitchen sink, consider the causes of its occurrence and methods of combating it.

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Causes

Before choosing a specific method for eliminating an unpleasant odor, you need to understand the cause of its occurrence:

Formation of blockage in the siphon. When washing dishes, grease, cereals, vegetable peelings and food waste enter the sewer system. Over time, these substances accumulate on the walls of the pipes or in the siphon and form plugs. Rotting deposits create an unpleasant odor, which can only be removed by thoroughly cleaning the siphon.
The second popular reason is inconsistent use of the sink. A water seal does not form in the siphon, which should prevent the penetration of foreign odors from sewer system. If plumbing for a long time was not used for its intended purpose, the liquid will evaporate and the smell will penetrate the room.
Incorrect siphon installation.
Corrugation deformation during operation. Over time, the tube changes its initial location and may sag or stretch. In this situation, a blockage occurs or the liquid completely drains into the sewer, which prevents the formation of a water seal in the siphon.
Lack of sealing at the junction of the riser and pipes. The corrugation is simply stuck into the drain hole after the siphon, its second end is inserted into the sewer.
Airing is accompanied by a characteristic gurgling sound from the sink. This phenomenon often occurs when neighbors above have installed plugs on sewer inlets.

As we can see, unpleasant odors in the kitchen can appear due to various reasons. Next, we’ll find out how to get rid of smell from the sink.

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Relevance of the issue

The smell from the sink is not only unpleasant, substances entering the premises can affect human health. The air entering the room from the sewer system contains harmful gases (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and methane). The latter substance is especially dangerous; it is impossible to notice its presence, because methane does not emit an odor.

Prolonged exposure to harmful fumes leads to loss of smell and affects the respiratory organs. These gases also act on nervous system. A person develops a feeling of anxiety, which can lead to nervous breakdowns.

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A plumber will help you diagnose sanitary equipment, but you will have to wait a long time for a specialist and then pay for the services. This option is recommended for use in case of serious damage; most of the work can be done independently without special skills.

First you need to monitor the operation of the sink. If the liquid drains normally, but the smell does not disappear, wash the pipe with hot water and detergent or a solution of vinegar and baking soda. If such operations fail desired result, you will have to inspect the pipes and siphon for cracks and leaking connections. Perhaps in engineering communications there is a leak. If moisture is detected, the joints are sealed with sealant or wrapped with foam tape.

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Methods to combat unpleasant odors

Before you eliminate sewer smell in the kitchen, you need to understand the cause of its occurrence. If all connections of sanitary fixtures are sealed, then an unpleasant aroma enters the room through the formation of blockages in the pipes. There are several methods for destroying traffic jams; let’s look at them in more detail.

Cleaning cable

A standard steel cable will not solve the problem; to destroy the plug it is necessary to use special product with hook and brush. Its length ranges from 3-5 meters; a handle is installed at the end for performing rotational movements.

To remove a blockage in the sewer, you must take the following steps:

Remove the corrugation from the inlet to the sewer system.
Insert the cable into the pipe and begin to push it to the maximum depth.
We rotate the handle and at the same time hold the casing.
Similar manipulations are carried out until the cable comes into contact with the blockage. Next, you can try to destroy the cork or pull it out using a hook.

After the procedures, the instrument is thoroughly washed, its surface is lubricated with machine oil and placed in a box for storage.

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Using a plunger

This device is used when deposits form in the siphon, when there is no desire to disassemble the device. Next, we will describe how to get rid of smell from a sink using a plunger. To do this you need:

install the cap on the drain hole on the sink;
turn on the hot water tap and wait until the liquid completely covers the cap;
close the valve and alternately move the plunger handle, up and down;
after several such techniques, we remove the device, and some of the sediment from the siphon should fall into the sink;
open hot water and wash off the dirt.

Instead of a siphon, you can use improvised means, for example, a juice or milk carton. In such a container, we cut off the upper part, insert it into the drain hole and act like a plunger with periodic movements up and down.

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If the cause of the unpleasant odor is in the siphon, then this device can be disassembled. We take out the corrugation from the sewer pipe and substitute a bucket, open the tap and pour water into the sink. If the liquid does not flow, it is necessary to disassemble the siphon. For this:

place the container and carefully unscrew the cap;
unscrew the nuts and remove the corrugation, remove the blockage;
The siphon is assembled in the reverse order.

At the final stage of work, we check the tightness of the connections. To do this, just turn on the water. If necessary, tighten the fasteners.

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Fighting blockages using improvised means

How to remove sewer smell from a sink if you don’t have it on hand necessary equipment? The following tools will help with this:

Pour a glass of salt into the sink drain hole and add 500 milliliters of boiling water. After 3 hours, turn on the hot water.
Stir baking soda with salt in equal proportions, pour into the sink. After half an hour, apply boiling water to the mixture. If the smell remains, we repeat the procedure or use more effective methods.
Pour 2 tbsp into the siphon. Spoons of soda, then pour a glass of vinegar and cover the hole with a rag or stopper. After 10 minutes, rinse the pipes with boiling water.
Pour the contents of the powder packet into the drain citric acid, add a small amount of hot water. Chemical reaction should help break up the blockage.
We use the special product “Mole” according to the instructions on the package. This drug is more aggressive than citric acid or a mixture of soda and vinegar.

You can also use other tools to remove blockages in the sink. chemicals. They are bought at a household chemical store and used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Use a special mesh to trap food waste in the sink. Do not pour tea leaves or coffee grounds into the sink.
After washing dishes, rinse the pipes with hot water. This will prevent the accumulation of fats in the siphon or corrugation.
Carry out periodic maintenance of the sink. Pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain hole. Such operations must be carried out at least once a week.
If the plumbing will be long time inactive (the owners went on vacation), pour a little into the siphon vegetable oil. This liquid does not evaporate, which will prevent the penetration of foreign odors from the sewer system.

Buy high-quality siphons that you can disassemble yourself. In this case, the user will be able to repair the equipment himself without calling a plumber.

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Conclusion

There are a huge number of ways to get rid of smell in the sink, but before taking specific actions, it is necessary to identify the cause of its occurrence and choose the most effective means. The recommendations in this article will help you solve the problem yourself and achieve the desired result.

No matter how clean the housewife is, and no matter how carefully she monitors the cleanliness of the kitchen sink, over time, the problem of disgusting sewer smell will still appear. What to do and how to deal with this? There are two ways out of the situation: eliminate the unpleasant odor yourself or seek the help of a specialist.

Causes of odor

Sometimes the reason can be very simple, and the first thing every housewife resorts to when the kitchen sink stinks is to unscrew and clean the siphon. The fact is that over time, fat and dirt accumulate in the siphon, stick to the walls of the pipe, and rotting processes begin. This is what causes “sewage odors.” But these are not all possible problems.

Other Causes of Bad Kitchen Sink Odor

Sometimes the problem may lie not only in the siphon or its incorrect installation.

A disgusting odor may also appear due to the following reasons:

Cracking or other mechanical damage to the drain pipe can also cause the odor. Water seeps through and saturates the walls and floor, which over time begin to grow mold.
Airing the riser. If the riser becomes very clogged, then when water passes through it, characteristic sounds are heard, after which a sewer stench appears. In this case, you will have to contact the housing office, because you cannot do it yourself.
The seal between the sewer and the drain has disappeared. In this case, you need to go over the joint with sealant again. It is best to choose silicone sealant.

Housewives make a lot of efforts to ensure that the aromas of cleanliness and freshness are in the air in their home. When a smell appears from the kitchen sink, it does not create any special difficulties in everyday life, but it really spoils the mood. It becomes difficult to cook food, gather for family dinners, and you have to apologize to guests. “Amber” gradually spreads throughout the entire apartment and poisons life. Let's look at why there is a smell from the kitchen sink, how to eliminate it and prevent it from appearing in the future.

To choose a way to eliminate an unpleasant odor, you need to understand the reasons for its appearance. There may be several of them:

There is a blockage in the siphon. Food debris, grease, and sticky substances constantly end up in the kitchen sink. All this settles on the walls of the pipes and in the siphon. Over time, a layer of rotting deposits forms. They emit a characteristic heavy odor, which disappears after washing the siphon.
Rare use of the sink. A water seal is formed in the bend of the sink siphon, which prevents the spread of sewer odors. If the appliance has not been used for a long time, the water from the water seal evaporates, and the kitchen sink stinks.
Incorrect installation siphon. Installing a siphon is one of the simplest plumbing operations; however, a minor error in operation is enough for the water seal to stop performing its functions, and for air from the sewer to enter the room.
Deformation of corrugated pipe. The corrugation can stretch and sag over time. This happens even if the system was initially installed perfectly. When the corrugation stretches, the water is not retained and is directly drained into the sewer or even returned back.
Poor sealing of the joint between pipes and riser. In some cases corrugated pipe They simply stick it into the riser hole, without particularly worrying about sealing. This can cause a stink in the kitchen.
Airing sewer riser. A sign of such a malfunction is characteristic gurgling sounds in the sink. Only a plumber from the housing office can help here, because... This is a malfunction of the main system. However, such “symptoms” may appear if neighbors above have installed plugs on unused sewer pipes.

Kitchen sink

Clogged drain in kitchen

Note! The smell doesn't always come from the sink. If your pipes are cracked or chipped, small amounts of water may leak through the damaged areas. It evaporates quickly or is absorbed into Decoration Materials, But specific aroma remains.

Sealed siphon installation in the kitchen

Why is it so important to get rid of stink?

If your kitchen sink stinks, it is not only unpleasant, but also dangerous to your health. The ability to recognize odors is a natural mechanism that ensures human survival. We define scents as disgusting when they actually have the potential to cause harm.

The air coming from the sewer into the room contains toxic gases, in particular hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Methane is also produced when sewage decomposes. It has no odor, but this does not make it any less dangerous. Prolonged exposure to toxic gases inevitably leads to negative consequences.

Hydrogen sulfide, methane and ammonia harm the respiratory system and can lead to partial loss of smell. They affect the nervous system, provoke feelings of increased anxiety, and in some cases can cause nervous breakdowns and even fainting.

Sewage system repair

Diagnostics: identifying faults

The easiest way to figure out the reasons for the appearance of unpleasant odors from the sewer is to call a plumber. However, you will have to wait for a specialist indefinite time, and then pay for his services. If the damage is serious, then this a good option, but in many cases everything can be done with your own hands.

Monitor the operation of the sink. If the water flows normally, but the smell of the sewer does not subside, you should rinse the pipe with hot water and a special household chemicals or soda. If cleaning does not help, you will have to deal with the siphon and pipes.

Carefully inspect the elements of the sewer system. There may be a leak somewhere. The pipes should not be chipped or cracked, and the joints should be dry to the touch. If moisture is detected, the joint will need to be sealed with foam or sealant.

7 Best Ways to Remove Sink Odor

Experts give several useful tips How to remove smell from kitchen sink. Let's look at the most popular methods. Special attention should be paid to household chemicals and homemade solutions for cleaning the sewer system.

Pipe cleaning equipment

Method 1: clearing the blockage with a cable

Sometimes even a small hard object can cause a lot of trouble. Kitchen waste or toothpicks entering the sewer prevent the normal flow of water. They retain fat and food debris. As a result, a plug is formed, which reduces throughput pipes and emits a putrid odor.

The blockage can be cleared out with a regular metal cable. To do this, grab the tool firmly with your palm and begin to slowly rotate it, gradually pushing it further and further along the pipe. When the cable reaches the blockage, the plug can either be pushed further down the pipe or removed using the hook at the end of the cable.

A sign that the blockage has been removed is a normal flow of water. It is first supplied under low pressure, and then the tap is opened more to make sure that the problem is solved. It is advisable to use hot water. It will wash out the remains of the plug and wash off the grease from the walls of the pipes.

After use, the cable itself is washed clean, wiped, and lubricated with machine oil. This is necessary to prevent rust on the metal. The dry and treated cable is rolled up and placed in storage.

Drain cleaning cable

Plumbing cable You can buy it in a store or make it yourself. To make the tool you will need an elastic iron rope. The length and thickness should be chosen depending on your own needs; most often, a three- or five-meter rope with a diameter of 10-12 mm is taken.

One end of the cable is fluffed and bent to make it easier to remove objects or clumps of hair clogged in the drain. A ring is attached to the opposite end of the rope, which will be used as a handle. Part of the cable can be covered with a piece of plastic tubing or wrapped in any suitable solid material.

Homemade cable

Very often it is not sewer pipes that need to be cleaned, but siphons. If you don’t want to disassemble and wash the structure, you can use a homemade cable made from plastic bottle.

This simple tool has its advantages. First, it is not hard enough to damage the siphon. And secondly, there are no financial costs: it can be made virtually from garbage - used containers. If you suddenly spoil it, you won’t be sorry.

To make a long cable you will need a 5-liter bottle, and for a short one a 2-liter bottle will be enough. Degrease the surface and apply markings: draw a spiral strip 15-20 mm wide, leaving a small area for a loop to hold the cable during use.

Bottle marking

Cut the bottle along the markings to create a spiral strip, cutting out a “ring” of such a diameter that your finger can easily fit through it. Make small cuts across the entire surface of the tape on both sides. In the same way, “fluff” the end of the cable.

Attention! If you are uncomfortable leaving the “ring” handle when marking, make the strip continuous along the entire height of the bottle. You can secure the end later plastic tape so that it forms a loop.

The finished tool should look like a transparent “brush”. Notches are needed to remove dirt from pipes and siphons. The cable is used in the same way as a metal one, but taking into account the lower strength of the material. After use, the instrument is washed, dried and stored rolled up.

Cleaning drains with a plastic rope

Method 2: cleaning the siphon with a plunger

First of all, you should inspect the siphon. If the problem arises due to stretching of the corrugation or improper installation of the structure, it is simply installed in the correct position and fixed with electrical tape. If the unpleasant odor appears due to a blockage, the siphon can be cleaned with a plunger.

A plunger is the simplest plumbing tool that can be bought at any hardware store or hardware store. A small fixture is enough for the kitchen sink. The main thing is that this plunger has not previously been used in the bathroom or toilet.

Cover the drain hole of the sink with a plunger cap, press it, and then open the hot water tap. When the water closes the cap, press the handle of the tool several times with force, pumping the water up and down. This will break the plug. After pumping the siphon with a plunger, the tool is raised so that the water washes away the remaining blockage.

Attention! If there is no plunger, and the sink needs to be cleaned urgently, you can use improvised means. A cardboard milk carton or similar item will do. The bag is inserted with a cut corner into the drain hole and sharply pressed from above several times.

Cleaning a sink with a plunger

Method 3: disassembling and washing the siphon

Before disassembling the siphon, you need to place a bucket under it so that water from the water seal does not spill onto the floor. Further wrench unscrew the settling cup, and if the structure is not collapsible, remove the entire siphon. Once the water has drained, you can start cleaning.

The section of pipe behind the siphon is checked and, if necessary, cleaned, and the device itself is thoroughly washed with household chemicals. You can use regular detergent for dishes, dissolved powder or washing gel. After cleaning, the siphon is collected in reverse order, checking the tightness of the connections and the position of the structure.

Siphon device

Method 4: sealing joints

If the smell appears because the joint between the drain and the sewer pipe has become depressurized, it needs to be sealed. The easiest way is to wrap it with foam, but it is better to use a special plumbing sealant.

Plumbing sealants are polymer-based compounds. They come in several types:

Silicone. The most popular type of sealant. The composition adheres perfectly to substrates made of any materials, is not afraid of temperature changes, does not shrink and retains moisture well. This the best choice for kitchen. The only negative: silicone compounds are more expensive than other types of sealants.

Acrylic. Advantages acrylic compositions– durability, moisture resistance and high temperatures, excellent adhesion. The disadvantages include a low degree of elasticity, which is why after a while the seams can become depressurized again. Acrylic sealants can be moisture- and non-moisture-resistant, so when purchasing, you should carefully read the information on the packaging.

Silicone-acrylic. These are sealants that have combined best properties silicone and acrylic compounds. They are suitable not only for sealing seams, but also for gluing surfaces.

Polyurethane. Compositions of this type are distinguished by excellent technical and operational properties; after hardening, they can be coated with paint. The disadvantages include a strong toxic odor. When working with polyurethane compounds, you have to use gloves and masks.

Silicone sealant

When choosing a sealant for the kitchen, it makes sense to choose a sanitary silicone composition with the addition of fungicides. Such materials disinfect and seal joints tightly. They prevent the appearance of fungus, mold, and the proliferation of microorganisms. Products from the Tytan, Moment, Ceresit, and Ciki Fix brands have proven themselves well.

To prepare the surfaces, you will need alcohol or acetone and a dry, soft rag, and to apply the sealant, a narrow soft spatula. The joints are wiped dry and degreased. After this, the sealant is squeezed out so that it covers the entire joint in a single strip without breaks. The seams are smoothed with a spatula. After using the sealant, the room must be ventilated.

Applying sealant

Method 5: protecting the water seal from drying out

If the stench from the sewer appears due to the evaporation of water in the water seal, then you should use the sink more often. In a house where people live permanently, but due to circumstances rarely use the kitchen sewer, it is enough to sometimes open the tap to replenish the amount of water in the water seal.

If we are talking about a dacha that is not visited for several days or weeks, then the water seal here needs to be protected with an oil film. The ideal option is to use machine oil, but regular vegetable oil will do. A small amount of oil is poured into the drain hole and left without rinsing. The film will not allow water to evaporate, and air from the sewer will not enter the room.

Scheme of operation of the water seal

Method 6: disinfection with soda and salt

Baking soda and salt are excellent disinfectants that can be used both to eliminate sewer odors and for prevention. Salt, baking soda or washing soda are poured into the sink drain hole, left for 20 minutes, then rinsed with plenty of water.

A simple clog can be cleared with soda and vinegar. To do this, pour half a pack of soda into the sewer drain, pour a glass of vinegar on top and plug the hole with a rag. The mixture reacts and releases air bubbles, which “tear off” the dirt particles from inner surface pipes After 20 minutes, the drain is washed with water.

Another option is citric acid. A large pack of citric acid is poured into the drain hole and poured with boiling water. When hot water and acid come into contact, a reaction occurs, releasing gas. The effect is the same as when using soda and vinegar.

Drain cleaning products

Method 7: washing with special means

Manufacturers of household chemicals produce a wide variety of drain cleaning products. They dissolve blockages, remove plaque on pipes, disinfect, and eliminate any odors.

We offer 5 popular cleaners that customers appreciate:

"Mole". Remains a top seller for decades. The reason is simple: it is a truly effective cleaner that dissolves grease, food debris, and hair. Sold in liquid and granule form. Liquid “Mole” is less aggressive than granular one. It is recommended for plastic pipes. When using granules, you should strictly adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations so as not to damage the plastic.
"Floop." This is a powerful granular product. It is poured into the sink drain hole and filled with cold or hot water. The higher the water temperature, the faster the reaction occurs, but in any case, “Floop” will corrode all deposits on the pipes and reliably eliminate the stench.
"Tiret." Many consumers prefer the Tiret cleaner. It is suitable for all types of pipes and works quickly and efficiently. Cleaning the drain will take from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the complexity of the blockage. Tiret is safe, so you can leave it in the system overnight if you wish.
"Pothan." Pothan cleaner is very effective, but can be hazardous to health, so when using it, you should use gloves and protect your eyes and skin, otherwise you can get serious chemical burns. To remove small blockages, 3 minutes is enough. The only drawback of Pothan is its high cost.
"Mister Muscle". An excellent tool for the prevention and removal of small blockages. Available in different forms(powder, gel, foam). Many buyers agree that Mr. Muscle foam is the best at eliminating odors.

Tiret sewer cleaner

Video: a simple way to eliminate odor

Determine the cause of the odor coming from the kitchen sink, decide how to remove it, and take preventative measures to avoid this problem in the future. Use a sink strainer to keep food debris out of the drain, and rinse the drain with hot water after washing dishes. Once a month, clean the system with soda, salt or special household chemicals. Such simple methods will help prevent sewerage problems and save your nerves.