When you're surrounded by the smell of sewage or rotten eggs, it's hard to feel clean and refreshed after a shower. A foul smell coming from the shower drain is never pleasant, but it can be an indication of a more serious problem. What should you do if the shower drain stinks?
While musty or foul shower drain smells can be a sign of a major problem, there are other, less serious explanations. A possible culprit is a buildup of hair in the drain, or worse, a colony of bacteria or fungi. Read on to find out what's going on with your shower drain and how to make sure the problem doesn't happen again.
Nothing ruins a relaxing bath or shower like an unpleasant smell forming in the drain.
Schimmel
If your drain has a musty smell, mold may be growing in it. Because mold is a living thing, the active mold spores in your drain create a musty, gassy smell that can be harmful if inhaled. Commercially available mold cleaners should be enough to eliminate a small, localized mold problem. However, if the mold problem is extensive or recurring, it may be necessary to call in a licensed plumber.
Biofilm
A musty, moldy smell may be detected in your drain if biofilm is present. Biofilm is the slime that forms on shower tiles and drains due to the accumulation of bacteria and their waste products. Similar to mold, biofilm poses a threat to human health because it promotes the spread of bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli and others.
Fortunately, removing biofilms requires little effort and little money. Use a brush or scraper to remove as much biofilm from the shower drain as possible to get rid of the musty smell. To do this, repeatedly insert the instrument into the drain and remove it again. Disinfect the area by spraying it with an antimicrobial and leaving it for a few hours after most of the biofilm has been removed.
Clogged drain
If there is a foul smell coming from the shower, there is probably something clogged in the drain. If the drain in the shower is slow or does not drain at all, this, along with the smell, indicates a clogged drain. Soap scum, hair, dirt, and small objects are just some of the common causes that can clog the drain.
With a drain cleaning cable you can unclog a blocked drain and remove the smell from the drain. Use the spiral to fish out and remove the debris in the drain.
How often to clean the shower drain?
Clean your shower drain monthly to remove stuck-on hair and soap scum. In showers with multiple users and lots of long hair, the drain should be cleaned at least once a week. Drains that don't drain quickly or smell bad can be cleaned with simple home remedies like baking soda, distilled white vinegar, or chlorine bleach. Regular maintenance can prevent blockages and persistent odors.
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Stink from shower drain: what to do?
The soap residue that certain personal care products leave behind is much more noticeable than that of others. The risk of buildup on shower surfaces can be reduced by using liquid products instead of bar soaps.
Shower drain stinks – home remedies can help
Scrubbing the shower (and drain) isn't exactly fun, but doing it now can save you a lot of trouble later. Try natural remedies! Homemade remedies can be made by mixing vinegar, baking soda and hot water. The next step is to use a scrub brush to remove the accumulated dirt. This method allows you to go deep into the drain to clear potential blockages andto remove remaining odors.
Pour 150g of baking soda down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes. Much of the dirt and grime that has accumulated inside the drain pipe will stick to it. Then pour 100 ml of vinegar down the drain. When the two agents work together, a hissing sound can be heard. Leave the solution to work for 30 – 60 minutes. Finally, scrape the drain cover with a baking soda-water paste and your scrub brush. It is the first line of defense against blockages in your drainage system, so it needs to be cleaned regularly. Flush the drain with hot water to remove any debris.
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