Identifying the Source of the Smell
If your shower also isn’t draining properly, it’s likely clogged. If you notice your shower takes a long time to drain, or isn’t draining at all, in addition to the odor, it’s probably time to unclog it. Over time, things like dirt, grime, hair, and other debris build up and get trapped in the drain line. Within a few days or a few weeks, this build-up will likely start to smell.
If it smells like sewage, you likely have a dry P-trap. The P-trap is the U-shaped section of the pipe that dips below the rest of your shower drain line before connecting to your main stack. It’s designed to hold enough water at all times to prevent gases from your sewer line from escaping through your drains. If you smell sewage, it likely means your P-trap isn’t holding water as it should. If the odor doesn’t smell like sewage and is instead more musty, the P-trap could be dirty. Cleaning it could solve the problem.
If the drain smells like mildew, it may have biofilm build-up. Biofilm is a mucky, slimy substance formed from bacteria and bacterial waste that often gets mistaken for mold. In addition to a mildewy smell, you may notice a pink or orange growth in or around the drain. It’s important to remove biofilm as soon as possible, as certain types can spread Salmonella and E. coli, as well as infect open wounds and cause urinary tract and respiratory problems in those with compromised immune systems. It’s possible your drain could have actual mold, as well. The smells are similar, but true mold won’t have the pinkish color that biofilm does.
If you smell rotten eggs, your pipes may be leaking. When a pipe leaks, it can let sewer gases into your bathroom, which often smell like rotten eggs or sulfur. The smell is similar to having a dry P-trap, so try addressing that issue first. If the smell doesn’t go away, it may be time to hire a professional to see if you have a leak.
Unclogging a Shower Drain
Feed a drain snake down the drain to unclog it. While there are several ways to unclog a shower drain, using a drain snake is one of the most popular. Choose a snake with a 1/4 or 5/16-inch (0.6 or 0.8 cm) cable so it’s flexible enough to curve through your pipes. Then, simply guide the snake down the drain until you feel it hook on the clog, then pull it back up. Or, try an alternative unclogging method below: Pull the clog out by hand if you can reach it. Pour boiling water down the drain to dislodge the obstruction. Use a plunger to draw the clog to the surface. Pour a chemical cleaner down the drain to dissolve the clog. If none of these methods work, it may be time to call a professional. EXPERT TIP Chris Willatt Chris Willatt House Cleaning Professional Chris Willatt is a House Cleaning Professional based in Denver, Colorado. Chris is the owner of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency that he founded in 2015. Chris is on a mission to elevate what it means to be a cleaning professional and has built up Alpine Maids with that goal in mind. Chris has been featured in USA Today, Forbes, and Readers Digest. Alpine Maids received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row from 2016-2018. They were also awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018 and were featured on the Inc. 5000 Company List. Chris Willatt Chris Willatt House Cleaning Professional Clean your shower drain once a week. Make sure you're getting all the hair out, and remove anything that's stuck in the drain. If the drain is already clogged, your best bet is either a coat hanger or a drain snake.
Cleaning a Shower P-Trap
Run your water to fix a dry P-trap. If you rarely use the shower you notice the smell coming from, the water may have simply evaporated from the P-trap. Try running your water for a few minutes or pouring 1 or 2 cups (236-473 ml) down the drain. Come back in an hour and look down the drain to make sure you can see the water. If you rarely use the shower, pour 4 oz (118 ml) of mineral or cooking oil down the drain to slow evaporation. If you use the shower frequently and it smells, there may be another problem with your P-trap, and your best bet is to call a professional plumber.
Clean your P-trap with baking soda and vinegar. Pour 1/2 cup (125 g) of baking soda, then 1/2 cup (118 ml) of distilled white vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain with a stopper or plate and allow the baking soda and vinegar solution to froth up and clean the inside of the drain and P-trap. This should clear out any grime or debris causing the odor. It’s possible to use bleach or other cleaners to clean your P-trap, but harsh chemicals can damage your pipes if used too frequently. Try home remedies first before resorting to harsher solutions.
Cleaning Biofilm Build-Up
Scrub biofilm stains around your drain and on your tiles. If you notice biofilm around your shower drain, break down the layers of grime by scrubbing it with a cleaning brush. Then, spray the affected surface with an antimicrobial disinfectant. Repeat this process weekly to prevent the biofilm from coming back. In the case that the biofilm isn’t actually in your drain, this should be all you have to do. Another option is to scrub around the drain with a paste made from baking soda and water. This will also help remove mold.
Clean the inside of the drain with a paint roller cover. Remove your drain cover and clean it with a disinfectant or other antibacterial cleaning product. Then, dip a fuzzy paint roller cover (or a cleaning brush with a long shaft) in a cleaning solution of your choice and push it vertically down the drain. Turn the cover to break up the biofilm, then pull it out. Rinse it in hot, soapy water, then repeat the process until it comes out clean and you no longer see any biofilm. If you suspect there’s mold as well, boil 10 qts (9 L) of water, let it cool, then slowly pour it down the drain. Follow up with a cup (236 ml) of vinegar, then 1/2 cup (125 g) of baking soda.
Fixing Leaky Pipes
Hire a professional. Fixing leaky pipes is a complex job, so it’s best left to a pro. A plumber can locate the leak, fix the plumbing line, and suggest the next course of action. If there’s extensive water damage, you may need to call a water damage restoration expert to renovate the entire bathroom, as well. Finding leaks can be very difficult to do on your own, as your drain lines are typically located deep within your walls and floor. If you suspect you have a leak, call a pro as soon as possible. The longer the leak remains, the more water damage it will cause.
When to Call a Professional
Call a plumber if you can’t fix the problem yourself. If you’ve tried the above DIY methods and they didn’t work or you suspect your pipes are leaking, it’s time to hire a professional. A professional plumber can fix the leak and address any additional damage, like rot or mold, in the surrounding infrastructure. Pros can also fix clogged vent lines that sometimes cause dry or dirty P-traps.
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