What’s Causing Your Shower to Smell Like a Sewer?

People take showers to get clean, not dirty! Is your shower starting to smell more like a sewer? There are many things that could be causing those strange smells coming from your shower. Here are a few of the more common reasons why you have a shower:

You Have a Clogged Drain

One of the most common causes of a smelly shower is a clogged drain. Hair and other debris, along with stagnant water, can brew a concoction that smells of rot and decay after a while. It may sound gross to you and me, but it’s a paradise for a whole host of bacteria and other microorganisms. So it not only smells bad but could actually be hazardous to your health.

In addition to hair, dust, sand, soap scum, dirt, plastic bits, and mineral buildup can clog your drain and smell up the shower.

Eventually, the drain will become completely clogged and the noxious fluid will rise out of the drain. In most cases, the clog can be addressed with a chemical de-clogger, a plunger, or a drain snake. If this doesn’t work, call a plumber to come out and take a look.

Leaking Shower Pipes

That moldy smell in your shower could be a sign that your home is experiencing water and mold damage caused by a hidden water leak. The moisture and organic surfaces inside your home provide the perfect environment for promoting mold growth. You may be able to cover the smell, but ignoring the problem is a bad idea. Mold and water damage can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home.

It’s important to call a plumber as soon as you begin to smell the musty odor of mold coming from your shower or anywhere in your house. They’ll have the equipment and experience to quickly pinpoint the location of your leak. Corroded pipes and loose joints are some of the common sources of a hidden home water leak.

Problems with the P-Trap

Another source of stinky shower smells could be a damaged or clogged P-trap. A P-trap is a curved pipe installed under all your home’s drains – including the shower. The P-trap is essential for washing wastewater out of your home; it also contains a small amount of water that creates a barrier preventing physical and airborne contaminants (such as sewage fumes and small organisms) from emerging out of the drain and into your home.

You can use the same remedies to unclog a P-trap as you would a shower drain. A dry P-trap may present more of a challenge, since the pipe itself may be damaged. A professional plumber will determine the cause of the damage. In most instances, P-traps are easy and inexpensive to replace.

Your First Choice for Expert Plumbing Services in Oceanside, CA

A smelly shower could be the symptom of a lot of serious plumbing problems. Give 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration a call. We’ve been fixing smelly showers and other plumbing problems in Oceanside, CA since 2012. Our team of licensed, expert plumbers will be able to quickly diagnose the problem and provide a solution. In most cases, shower drain problems can be repaired in a single visit.

Contact 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration through our website or call us at 866-437-0205 to schedule a visit. We provide 24/7 emergency plumbing services to homes and businesses in Oceanside, CA, and surrounding communities.