What’s the Smell in My Kitchen?

Have you noticed an unpleasant smell in your kitchen, but you can’t figure out where its coming from? Perhaps you’ve checked the refrigerator, taken out the trash (and cleaned the trash can), but the smell persists? It could be that your kitchen sink is to blame!
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The kitchen sink is one of the busiest places in the kitchen. You prep food, wash hands, clean dishes, use the garbage disposal, and so much more. With all the activity, gunk and grime can build up in the drain which can cause some of those nasty odors.

What’s worse is that food and grease can stick to the pipes in your drain, which not only can start to rot, but can also cause clogs if you’re not careful.

So, if you’ve determined that your kitchen sink is to blame for smell, here are some things you should investigate:

 Clean and Take Care of the Garbage Disposal
If you have a garbage disposal, when was the last time you cleaned? If you’re wondering why we’re asking that question, we can pretty much assume you haven’t cleaned it. 😊  It’s also important to note what you are putting down the drain. We have some great blogs on maintenance for your garbage disposal and what not to put in there! Check them out.

Check the Drain!
Grease, food, and oil can all build up in the drain, so its important to check it form time to time, especially if you have a smell that won’t go away. You can clear the drain by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. We recommend letting it set for 10 minutes before flushing it with hot water. Of course, if it doesn't clear, we’re always here to help.

Check The Trap
Depending on the smell coming from the sink, it may be something trapped in, well, the trap! The P-trap is the curved section of the pipe underneath your sink. It prevents gases and odors from coming up through the drain. Whether the P-trap doesn’t have enough water to trap the odors, or it’s clogged, if the smell seems more like sewer than rotting food, you should check the P-trap.

Clogged Vent
If the P-trap or other problems aren’t to blame for the bad smell, it very well could be a clogged vent. When the vents connected from your sewer line to the outside become clogged or blocked, it can also cause a smell.

Since vents are usually located on roof tops, its not impossible for these vents to become clogged with bird nests, leaves, or other debris. This one we recommend having a professional look at!
If you aren’t sure where to get started or just don’t have time to deal with the problem, you know we’re here to help. Give us a call today. 

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