Why Cleaning Your Sink Trap or U Bend Prevents Bad Smells and Tips & Benefits of Drain Cleaner Sticks and Deodorisers:
A foul odour emanating from your kitchen drain can be unpleasant and bothersome. The accumulation of food debris, grease, and bacteria can lead to a smelly drain.
However, there are simple but effective methods to combat this issue and restore a fresh and clean scent to your kitchen.
In this article, we will explore how to stop or prevent a kitchen drain smell and discuss the benefits of drain cleaner sticks and deodoriser products. Additionally, we will provide guidance on cleaning the trap or U bend under the sink.
First off, let’s investigate that bad smell!
- Identify the Source of the Odour:
Before proceeding with any cleaning methods, it’s important to determine the source of the unpleasant odour. It could be due to a build-up of food particles, grease, or even a clogged or damaged pipe. Identifying the source will help you choose the most appropriate cleaning method.
First of all, check the state of the plughole. If this has food waste around or inside of it, this is the most obvious and easiest of places to start smelling – and blocking your sink for that matter!
If you then remove the trap or U bend beneath the sink, you will soon see if the odour is similar to the one making the kitchen smell bad.
The U bend can be a bit of a Catch 22 though. The U bend is a water trap, letting clean water displace dirty water, preventing odours and gases from the drainage system from escaping from the sink. But it can also catch food waste and when oils, sauces and grease enter the sink, the U bend can also form a layer or fat & grease, which will not only smell but restrict flow and cause blockages.
There are two options available to you if the smell appears to be from the U bend itself:
- Either: Clean the U bend by unscrewing all the pieces, usually no more than three – the inlet, U bend and outlet. Hot, soapy water (in a bucket as your sink is currently unusable) and a tool such as a screwdriver should be enough to dislodge and remove any obstructions attached to the inside of the pipe.
- Or: Replace the U bend. If you do not fancy taking apart the pipe and cleaning it out, take note of the pipe size, usually 40mm, and pop to your local DIY shop, such as Homebase, B&Q, Wickes, ScrewFix, etc.
Alternatively, you can find replacement U bends from Amazon below:
40mm (1 1/2″) Kitchen Sink U Bend
1 ½ 40mm Kitchen Sink U Bend P Trap Waste 75mm WTP 4076
A two piece polypropylene swivel P trap,
- tapered rubber seal, rubber ‘O’ ring and a slip ring to give a secure water tight seal
- with a 75mm seal. Trap uses easy grip compression nuts,
- 1½” Swivel ‘P’ Trap
- Easy to install, according to reviews.
Next up, if either the U bend was found clear, or the smell continues, there’s more to try.
You’ve Tried the Easy Bit, Now for the Detective Work!
- Check Inside the Pipe.
Whether the U bend is in good shape or not, the pipe itself could be restricted with fat & grease, food waste or other debris. This can make your sink slow to drain, and also smell under some conditions.
If the pipe appears to be clogged, which is easy to tell – it should be empty with very little inside it, then simply clear the pipe as shown by clicking the button below:
- Check any Nearby Drains
The smell could be nothing to do with the sink itself, but the main drains that serve not only your sink but your toilet and the rest of your waste facilities. Where your pipes converge, generally in an inspection or manhole chamber, is a good place to look when experiencing any drainage issues. If the chamber that your sink flows into is full, sometimes this is the smell coming up through the sink plughole or overflow.
The pipework between sink and chamber can become “air-locked” and create a kind of vacuum effect, resulting in bad odours escaping when sinks are running or toilets are flushed.
Clearing the offending drain should allow the smell to dissipate once it is clean and flowing.
You may find your sink flows into a kitchen gully before running to the next inspection chamber. In this case, the same process applies. You can check out kitchen gullies specifically by clicking the button below:
If you find that everything is clean and flowing, but the smell still lingers, then it may be worth asking your local water authority if they have had reports of any nearby blocked main sewers. It could be a blockage in the road or even between neighbours that is causing the smell.
Check out our article on shared and public drains by clicking the button below if you need any guidance on who is responsible for the drains between you and the main sewers:
If You Still Can’t Figure Out the Smell, Try a Smoke Test and/or Dye Test, as Outlined Below.
The products below can be personally vouched for, we have used these specific products for many different drainage issues and they both make it much easier in diagnosing and locating the problem!
Smoke Testing a Drain
Rothenberger Smoke Pellets
- Smoke emitter pellets give off a dense white low-toxic smoke when ignited.
- Smoke colour grey.
- Burn time 60 seconds.
- For testing flues, chimneys, fans, pipe work, boilers, drains etc.
- Low toxic.
Locate a suitable place to ignite a single smoke pellet, such as inside an inspection chamber and close the cover.
If there are any places in the pipe system where the smell is coming from, such as gaps in above ground pipe or dried-out U bends, the smoke will show you where it is escaping from. It could take a couple of attempts but smoke pellets come in packs.
Drain Dye Testing
Baileys Green Drain Dye
- Used to locate the direction of water flow in pipes, drains etc.
- Soluble in water.
- Easy to use.
- Green shows up best, especially in deep chambers (in my experience).
Use drain dye by placing a small amount in the toilet, sink or other waste outlet directly. Run the facility you’re testing and check suspected downstream access points such as inspection or manhole chambers.
Drain dye is also great for flow testing after clearing a blockage.
Preventative Ways to Stop Bad Drain Smells
Routinely cleaning U bends under sinks and checking inspection chambers are easy and quick ways to prevent bad smells from forming in the first place.
For some extra piece of mind, there is a cheap, simple and easy to use drainage product specifically designed for this purpose, in the form of a shiny little stick!
72Pcs Sani Sticks and Deodorizer
Sani-Sticks Drain Cleaner & Cleaner for Drain Pipes Toilet Sewer Kitchen Vanity Bathtub
- Simply place in plughole and let it work!
- Inhibit odours.
- Easily replaceable.
- Dissolves organic waste such as fats and oils.
- Leaves no unwanted mess or byproducts, making it a great economical product.
What do these Sani Sticks actually Do and How do They Work?
Drain cleaner sticks are a popular solution for eliminating foul smells in kitchen drains. These sticks are typically made of enzymes and bacteria that feed on organic matter, breaking it down and eliminating odours. To use drain cleaner sticks, simply insert one into the drain and let it dissolve over time, releasing beneficial enzymes into the drain to clean and deodorise it.
Benefits of Drain Cleaner Sani Sticks
- Easy to use: Drain cleaner sticks are simple to apply, requiring no extensive preparation or complicated procedures.
- Continuous cleaning: The sticks provide ongoing cleaning action as they gradually dissolve, keeping your drain fresh for a longer period.
- Environmentally friendly: Many drain cleaner sticks use natural enzymes and bacteria, making them a more eco-friendly option compared to harsh chemical cleaners.
- Immediate odour control: Deodorisers provide quick relief from unpleasant smells by neutralising the odour molecules.
- Versatile application: They can be used in various drains, including kitchen sinks, garbage disposals, and dishwasher drains.
- Fragrance options: Deodorisers often come in different scents, allowing you to choose the one that appeals to your preferences.
How Sani Sticks Work
Sani Stick and Deodoriser products are specifically designed to neutralise unpleasant odours in drains. These products can come in various forms, such as sprays, granules, or tablets. They often contain fragrance elements that mask the smell while effectively combating the underlying causes.
Designed to help keep your drains clean and odor-free, they are typically made of a combination of enzymes and bacteria that target organic matter, such as food particles, grease, and other buildup that can cause clogs and unpleasant smells in drains.
Here’s how Sani Sticks work:
- Breakdown of Organic Matter: The main function of Sani Sticks is to break down organic matter that accumulates in your drains. The sticks contain enzymes that act as catalysts, speeding up the natural breakdown process of organic materials. When the Sani Sticks come into contact with water, they start dissolving and releasing the enzymes.
- Enzymatic Action: Enzymes are biological molecules that help break down complex substances into simpler forms. In the case of Sani Sticks, the enzymes target and break down organic matter, such as food residue and grease, which are common culprits for drain blockages and unpleasant odors. The enzymes work by breaking down these substances into smaller particles that can easily flow through the drain pipes.
- Bacterial Activity: In addition to enzymes, Sani Sticks also contain beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are selected for their ability to consume and digest organic waste. Once the Sani Sticks dissolve and release the bacteria into the drain, they start colonising the area, adhering to the pipe surfaces. The bacteria feed on the organic matter, converting it into simpler compounds, such as water and carbon dioxide.
- Prevention of Clogs and Odours: By continuously using Sani Sticks, you can help prevent the buildup of organic matter and reduce the occurrence of clogs and foul odours in your drains. The enzymes and bacteria work together to break down the substances that would otherwise accumulate and cause blockages, ensuring that water flows freely through the drain pipes. As a result, you experience fewer instances of slow drains and unpleasant smells.
It’s important to note that Sani Sticks are typically used as a preventive measure and maintenance tool, rather than a solution for severe blockage.
A smelly kitchen drain can be a nuisance, but with the right approach, you can eliminate the odour and restore a pleasant environment in your kitchen. Drain cleaner sticks and deodoriser products offer convenient and effective solutions to combat drain smells, while cleaning the trap or U bend under the sink ensures that debris and blockages are removed. By following these steps and incorporating these beneficial products, you can enjoy a fresh-smelling kitchen and maintain a hygienic drainage system.
Hopefully this has been helpful to you. If you are suffering with bad drain smells even after following the above advice, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll see if we can help!
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