We all know that your bathroom is our little private sanctuary. This little space in our home is where we can relax, unwind, and wash off all the worries of the day. But sadly, if you have a smelly shower drain, it can make it impossible to prepare for a relaxing night. 

Smelly shower drains can be a true nuisance. Unfortunately, scented candles and room sprays aren’t enough to mask the horrible stench. On top of that, a smelly drain can bring in embarrassment when guests start to wonder where the foul odor is coming from. 

Once you’ve gotten the subtle unpleasant whiff of your drain, it’s best to call drain cleaning companies right away, so you can bring back the fresh smell of your private oasis. But of course, the best way to avoid this issue is to prevent this from happening in the first place. 

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the different reasons your shower drain smells.

What Causes Smelly Shower Drains?

Reason #1: Clogged Drains

Every shower drain has a strainer or stopper. This accessory is used to catch hair, scum, and anything else that may fall through your shower drains. 

While the strainer does a great jump in collecting an assortment of gunk, as it sits there, and the longer it does, a foul odor can develop. For this reason, it’s best to call a drain cleaning company to check the issue and your filter for debris. 

Reason #2: Mold Growth

Although it’s a relaxing space, a bathroom is a moisture hub of damp and dark spaces, which makes it the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. And as it can affect the appearance of your space, it can also let out an unpleasant stench. 

Because of this, once you’re smelling something off, it’s best to pull out your drain cover and check for mold. Also, there’s space between your cover and tub that makes it the perfect space for mold to grow, so it’s best to check that out, too. 

If you find mold in your space, it’s best to have a plumber check your space and call mold removal services immediately.

Reason #3: Dry P-Trap

There’s a curved portion in your drain when you look under your bathroom sink. That bend is known as the p-trap, and it’s what connects the drain to the rest of your plumbing pipes. And those pipes are then connected to your shower floor. 

When there is no water in the trap, sewer gas may travel up your drains and into your bathroom, giving off that foul smell. For this reason, it’s best to call drain cleaners to ensure to clean it out and to add more water down the drain. If the water is gone after an hour, then repairs and replacements should be made.

Reason #4: Clogged Drain Vents

Another reason your p-trap is dry is that you have a clogged drain vent. If there is no airflow, the suction will pull the water out from your p-trap, making it dry, allowing the sewage gas to enter your space.

For this reason, if you’re experiencing a dry p-trap, it’s worth checking to see if your drain vents are clogged and mitigate the issue right away. Of course, it’s much better to have professionals handle this task because it can be quite dangerous and tricky to handle!

The Bottom Line: Stop Funky Shower Drain Smells From Happening Again

Now that you know the common causes of smelly shower drains, you should take precautionary steps to prevent these issues from happening. However, if you can still smell an awful stench in your bathroom, it’s best to call a drain specialist so they can inspect and repair your shower drain. With their help, your bathroom will turn back into a relaxing paradise in your home. 

How Can We Help You?

Nothing’s worse than dealing with plumbing issues at your home. Not only will it bring in funky smells, but it can also put you and your family at risk. So if you’re experiencing some drain and plumbing issues, it’s best to call drain specialists like Candu Plumbing & Rooter right away.

We are a professional plumbing service that can help solve all your plumbing and drain woes. Learn more about how we can help you today!