The pipes of your plumbing are, in some ways, designed to be ignored. They are placed in cabinetry, they have no moving parts, and when they work as intended, you never notice them, since all they do is carry water and other waste away from the home.
So when something goes wrong, and that something is noticeable, you should always try to address the problem quickly. When that something is a bad smell, this may also entail health risks for people in the household.
Luckily, even though the smell may be serious, there are some easy solutions to some of the causes.
The Drain Is the Problem
If you can track down a smell to a single drain, it may be a simple issue of having an empty p-trap.
This is the part of your plumbing that sits directly under your sink and has the distinctive bend.
It’s actually designed to hold water, and when that water is present it prevents sewer gas from entering your home.
Both the DIY and professional solution to this is identical; just pour more water in.
Once that vapor barrier has been restored, there’s no more smell.
Some people may have to do this on a regular basis if water movement in other parts of the plumbing creates enough air pressure to empty out the p-trap of a sink regularly.
The Water Is the Problem
If you turn on a faucet or run the shower, and every place that water is available has a smell, then smelly water is your issue. Don’t just immediately jump to the conclusion that it’s your water supply that has been contaminated.
The issue may lie with the tank that heats your water. Water heater tanks have adjustable temperatures, and if you don’t like especially hot water, you may have your water heater tank’s temperature set too low.
If it’s too low, it creates a very inviting and safe environment for bacteria, which thrive in dark, moist, warm places. Fortunately, bacteria are not the toughest organisms around. Turning up the heat to around 135-140°F is enough to kill the majority of bacteria that might pose a health risk.
The Sewage Line Is the Problem
Things get a bit more free-ranging and potentially complicated when there’s a problem with the sewage line.
Because of how big it is, you might just have a small issue with ventilation, where one of the pipes that allow gas to escape is blocked by leaves.
Clearing that out quickly would fix the issue.
If there’s a breach in the line somewhere, a partial blockage deep in the pipeline, or some other issue, you’re unlikely to be able to solve this problem yourself.
This is where you need to get professional help, with experienced plumbers that have the know-how and the right tools to fix this issue properly.