Refrigerators and garbage disposal aren’t the only sources of unwanted smells in your house. Sometimes, kitchen sinks and drains are to blame.
Nothing is more off-putting than a terrible smell from your sink. The odor isn’t only annoying, but can also be a tell-tale sign of issues with your septic tank.
Here are some tips you can try out if your sink is stinking and how to know when it’s time to call a professional.
Soak the Sink Basin in Soap and Water
At times, sink odor stems from dirty residue that has dried on the sidewalls or base of the sink basin, maybe when soiled dishes are left too long in the sink.
You’ll need to soak your sink basin to make it odor-free.
Cover the sink drain with a sink stopper and fill the basin halfway with hot water and a teaspoon of dish soap. Swirl the basin’s contents until the soap is fully dissolved; leave the solution for 10 minutes to loosen the food residue.
Finally, remove the stopper, turn on the garbage disposal if your kitchen has one, and flush the debris down the sink drain. Now you have your squeaky clean sink basin!
Clean the Sink Overflow
If your bathroom sink is stinky, checking the sink overflow is a good idea. The hole is either located under the faucet or across from it.
Every so often, the overflow gets clogged, and a stinky smell could find its way to your bathroom. A bottle brush can do some precision cleaning on a job like this. To break the build-up, you can pour baking soda into the overflow hole, add warm white vinegar, and pour some hot water after 15 minutes.
Scour the Sink Drain With Vinegar and Baking Soda
Sink drains can accumulate stubborn grime and grease. Whereas you can’t reach down the drain using a bristled brush, you can still do a drain cleaning and scrub away the gunk.
One easy way is to use vinegar and baking soda. Begin by pouring a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar into the drain. Let the solution rest in the drain for a few minutes, pour in some hot water, then run cold water to rinse out all the remains.
You can repeat the process until the smell disappears.
Check for Possible Leaks
Sink drain odors could originate from leaky pipes. With a leaking pipe, the sewer smell can escape into your bathroom or your entire house.
Check under your sink for a possible sign of a leak, perhaps a standing pool of water or an indication of a water ring.
Septic System Inspection
Have you tried all the above tips, but your sink’s stinky smell won’t go away? It could be time to call the experts for a thorough septic system inspection.
Gullett Sanitation Services Inc is your premier choice for septic system inspection in Ohio. For over 70 years, we’ve had a hand in repairing and maintaining septic systems throughout Ohio.
Our customers trust our experience, solutions and expertise. Visit or contact us at the first sign of a septic system problem, and put your sewer system in the hands of trained and certified professionals.