Common Causes of a Smelly Shower

Our bathrooms are a safe place for us to freshen up, relax, and get ready for our day. But, when we start to notice a foul odour coming from our shower, it can be stressful and off-putting. 

A smelly shower can ruin your whole day, and make it difficult to enjoy your time in the bathroom. There are a number of things that cause a foul-smelling shower. In this post, we will discuss some of the most common causes and how a plumber in Sunshine Coast can help.

Identifying the Source of the Smell

When you notice a smell in your shower, the first step is to identify the source of the smell. This can be tricky, as the source of the smell may not always be obvious.

Drain Clogs

Hair, dust and other debris can build up in your drain over time, causing clogs. These clogs can cause water to back up in your drain, leading to a foul smell. If you notice that your drains are slow or blocked, this is likely the source of the problem.

To relieve your space of this odour, make sure to clear your drains regularly. This can be done by pouring boiling water down the drain or using a plunger to remove any blockages.

Dry or Dirty P-Trap

Many bathrooms come with an extra drain fitting called a P-trap. If your shower drain stinks, it is an indication that your P-trap isn’t effectively preventing sewer gases from leaking into your bathroom. 

The trap itself contains water that creates a seal that prevents the bad smells from coming back up into the home. If there’s no water in the P-trap or it has dried out, then odours will easily drift up into the bathroom through the shower drain.

Be sure to remove any clogged debris, and then fill it with cold water. This can help to flush out any other blockages that may be causing a foul odour.

Leaky Pipes

If you notice a sulphuric smell in your bathroom, it is likely coming from leaky pipes. This is often caused by corroded or old pipes that are starting to break down. 

If you believe that your pipes are the source of the problem, it is important to have them repaired or replaced as soon as possible. This will help to prevent any further damage to your home and will get rid of the unpleasant smell.

Biofilm Build-up

If there’s a drain clog that you can’t clear with a plunger, then it’s likely that biofilm has built up inside the bowl and is preventing water from draining through.  

Biofilm is a slimy substance that is made up of microorganisms, including bacteria, hair, algae and other foreign objects all combined together in one sticky layer inside your home’s drain system.

In order to break down the biofilm, you’ll need a special enzyme-based product that targets bacteria and germs in general.

Getting Professional Help

It can be difficult to identify the source of a smelly shower, and even more difficult to get rid of the problem on your own. If you’re having trouble pinpointing the source of the smell or clearing it yourself, contact a professional plumber for help.

Synergy Trades Group is a leading plumber in Sunshine Coast that can help you get to the bottom of your smelly shower problem and find a solution that works for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.