Bathrooms are one of the most challenging areas of the house to clean. They accumulate dirt and grime quickly and cause mould, mildew, soap scum, and hard water deposits to build up. If you are behind with your regular bathroom cleaning routine, you may also notice that some foul odours are developing.
However, thorough cleaning is not always sufficient. Sometimes bad smells are caused by other circumstances that have nothing to do with cleanliness. The main source of bad smells is usually the drain. Since the bathroom is a high-traffic area used by friends, family, and other guests, a strong rotten egg odour from the shower drain might give the impression that your home is unclean or in disrepair. If your shower drain smells like rotten eggs, it’s critical to determine what’s generating the odour in order to address the issue. Begin by inspecting the drain for one of several common culprits.
The rotten egg stench is typically produced when bacteria multiply in the drainage system and break down waste, producing the gas hydrogen sulphide. However, in certain circumstances, the smell may be caused by contaminated water, therefore it’s important to identify the source of the smell as quickly as possible and take appropriate action. Keep reading to find out what the possible causes of the bad odour might be.
Clogged drain
This is the most common cause of smelly drains. can occur as a result of the accumulation of hair, soap, shampoo, conditioner, dirt, oil, and other debris. Fully clogged drains are easily identified because water becomes stuck in the tub or at the bottom of the shower. However, if the drain is only slightly clogged, the water will still drain from the tub or shower. In these instances, the partial obstruction creates an ideal habitat for germs to flourish and spread.
A drain snake can be used to remove huge hair jams or to break up oil and soap scum clogs in the shower drain. Another alternative is to pour baking soda into the drain, then vinegar, and cover it up to let the vinegar and baking soda combination to remove the clogged drain. To get rid of the rotten egg smell, use this procedure, it will disinfect and deodorise the drainage pipe as well.
Leaking pipes
A bad odour may develop in your drain as a result of a much more serious issue, such as leaking pipes. If the drain pipes behind the walls or beneath the floor leak, the waste will seep into the insulation and perhaps harm the drywall. A leak can also cause unpleasant fumes to escape from the drain line; however, even if the gas is confined in the drain by a water barrier, the area behind the wall or beneath the floor will quickly become a breeding ground for germs and mould.
Mould and mildew growth emits a musty odour, whereas bacteria destroy waste leaving from the drain line and can produce hydrogen sulphide gas, which smells like rotten eggs. Unseen leaks can do a lot of damage, so if you suspect you have a leak, repair it yourself if possible, or call a professional plumber to fix the leak and examine the bathroom.
Depending on the severity of the problem, you may still need to replace the insulation behind the walls or contact a professional for more significant repairs to the tiles, drywall, or floor after the leak has been repaired.
Bio Buildup
Mould is frequently the source of musty or foul odours emerging from drains and appliances in the home, however, mould is not to blame when the drain smells like rotten eggs. This odour is instead produced by a dynamic colony of bacteria and bacterium waste, which appears as a glue-like slime or muck. This bacterial colony is known as biofilm, and it is typically pinkish or orange in colour. Biofilm is formed when bacteria have access to resources such as soap scum, hair, oil, skin, dirt, and other waste in a wet environment. It is common around the drain lip, in the P-trap, and may occur if there is a partial obstruction in the drain. Biofilm clings to most surfaces, including tiles, bathtubs, faucets, and shower heads.
The best technique to remove biofilm is to use a bathroom cleaning solution to clean the drain and any impacted areas. You may also use vinegar and baking soda to make a quick DIY disinfectant and deodorizer. To keep biofilm from growing in the future, clean the bathroom at least once a week.
Contaminated water
In rare circumstances, the rotten egg odour is caused by the water rather than the shower drain. If you feel that the problem is with the water, get a sample and send it to a local lab for testing. Raw sewage may have leaked into the home’s water supply, or the water may have excessive sulphate levels, emitting a strong rotten egg odour. The test will provide a clear picture of your water’s composition and may point to a cause for the odour.
It is best to stop drinking tap water until you get the test results back. Make sure you contact a professional once you receive them and ask about the best way in which you can fix the issue at hand. For example, if the issue is high sulphate levels, you can easily resolve it by using an iron water filter.