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The unpleasant odour that comes from a drain will create an uncomfortable atmosphere for you and your family. If there are no issues with water flow through the drain, then what is causing the smell? There are three common reasons why a drain may smell even when it is not blocked: a dry drain trap, a build-up of waste inside the pipe, or a hidden problem within the drainage system.
What Causes a Sewage Smell When Drains Are Clear?
There are several common causes of drain smells, and not all of them are linked to a blockage.
- Dry drain traps: Traps are small pools of water in sinks, showers, toilets, etc., which prevent harmful sewer gases from entering your home. If you do not use a sink or shower regularly, the water may evaporate and let the odour escape into the house.
- Build-up inside pipes: Grease, soap, hair and food waste can stick to pipe walls and create unpleasant smells, even when water still flows freely.
- Dirty plugholes: Waste may build up near sinks and overflows, which can allow bacteria to thrive and cause an unpleasant odour.
- Damaged pipes: Cracks, loose joints or broken seals may let sewer gases escape into your home.
- Blocked or poorly vented pipes: A partial blockage or a problem with the plumbing vents can affect airflow and allow unpleasant smells to build up.
Checks for a Sewage Smell Inside Your Home
If you suspect there is a sewer smell in your house, there are a few checks for a sewage smell inside your home that you can carry out before contacting a plumber. Start by turning on all sinks, showers or floor drains that haven’t been used recently. Remove any visible waste around the plug holes and determine whether the odour is coming from a single drain or several drains.
If you notice an increase in the smell when you flush your toilet or use a water source, this may help identify where the problem originated. Additionally, avoid mixing cleaning products, as some combinations can release harmful gases.
If the odour continues, gets worse or is present in multiple areas of your home, you should contact a professional plumber to inspect your property and identify the source of the problem.
When Should You Call a Drainage Company?
If you are searching for a reliable drainage company near me, Mersey Rod can help investigate persistent drain odours. The company provides drain cleaning, drain repairs, CCTV drain surveys and emergency drainage services across Liverpool and surrounding areas, including Wirral and Warrington.
For example, professional Drain Cleaning in Southport can help remove accumulated waste, grease and buildup that cannot be reached through standard household cleaning methods. Regular cleaning can also help prevent recurring odours and keep your drainage system working efficiently.
Should the odour return repeatedly, a CCTV inspection can help locate cracks, tree root damage or other hidden faults. Mersey Rod can assist with investigating hidden drain problems with CCTV drain surveys in Warrington, using specialist camera equipment to identify issues within your pipes without the need for extensive digging.
How CCTV Drain Surveys Find Hidden Problems
The actual source of the sewage smell may be found in the interior of your pipes. A CCTV drain survey, conducted by Mersey Rod’s engineers, provides an opportunity to view the internal structure of your drainage system with the use of specialised camera equipment. This enables them to find damage or blockages that would have otherwise required extensive digging. Additionally, you will be provided with a report detailing the findings and recommended actions.
If you have a smelly drain that you can’t get rid of, you can call the team at Mersey Rod on 0330 043 9867 for advice and help to find where the problem lies. Mersey Rod has a set price for all work they do; they will only charge you if they are able to fix the problem, and they provide an out-of-hours emergency service 24/7.