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Have you ever gotten ready for a relaxing shower or bath, only to be greeted by an unpleasant odor coming from your drain? Or have you ever toweled off and found that the water wasn’t draining? Shower drains can start to stink and clog for several reasons, and it’s usually an easy problem to fix. So, if you’re wondering, “Why does my shower drain smell?” the next time you’re getting ready for a relaxing soak, the experts at Fosh Plumbing & Heating are sharing the four most common causes and what you can do to fix them.

Drain Clog

Most showers come outfitted with a strainer or stopper built over the drain to catch everything from hair to soap scum before it flows down your drain. Over time, your stopper will accumulate all this debris. This can cause a clog or slow drain and can also be the culprit of why your shower drain smells. This can also lead to larger issues down the road if not handled by an experienced plumber. With our drain cleaning services, we can ensure your plumbing is working properly to prevent any further damages to your sewer system.

Mold or Mildew

Mold and mildew thrive in wet, dark areas, making your shower, drain, and plumbing system the perfect home for this fungus to grow. Ensure your drain strainer and the cover are properly sealed, as this is an ideal area for mold to grow. If you find mold, spray down the drain cover and stopper with a mold and mildew remover solution. Clean the ring around your drain as well. Fit the cover back over your drain snugly to prevent further mold growth. It’s also a good idea to check walls, corners, and shower shelves for signs of mold or mildew.

Dirty P-Trap

A p-trap is the u- or p-shaped portion of your drain pipe that lies underneath your shower. This pipe connects the drain to the rest of your plumbing system. P-traps are curved in this manner to hold a small amount of water. This helps block any sewer gases from floating up through your pipes and out of your drain. If your bathroom smells like a sewer after you shower, your p-trap isn’t doing its job. Grab a flashlight and shine it down your drain. If you don’t see any water, something could be wrong. If you run water frequently and are still getting a sewage smell, it’s time to call in the professionals who can do a quick inspection and determine if your p-trap needs to be replaced or refitted.

Blocked Vents

If your bathroom still smells like a sewer after your shower, this could be due to a blocked or clogged vent. You can determine a blocked or clogged vent if the water you’re trying to reintroduce back into your p-trap keeps disappearing. Your vent system consists of plumbing pipes that stick out of your roof. When they become clogged, your sink can begin to smell and not drain properly. Common clogs include bird nests, animal debris, leaves, branches, and even trash. If you suspect an obstruction within your vents and you’re not sure where the problem lies, call a professional plumber immediately.

At Fosh Plumbing & Heating, we provide our customers with 24/7 drain cleaning services. If you can’t diagnose the secret of the smell or just want the job done right the first time, do not hesitate to contact our professional plumbers at (610) 496-5700. We’ll fix your drain problem ASAP and banish all signs of bad odors.