Why Do My Drains Smell?

If you're asking 'why do my drains smell?', you're not alone — it's one of the most common drainage complaints. Drain smells can range from mildly unpleasant to genuinely nauseating, and the cause can be anything from a dry trap to a collapsed pipe. Understanding why helps you decide whether it's a DIY fix or a job for a professional.

What to Look For

• Rotten egg or sewage smell from sinks, showers or toilets
• Smell that comes and goes depending on weather
• Odour that persists after cleaning with bleach
• Multiple drains smelling at once
• Smell gets worse when running water
• Gurgling noises accompanying the smell

How We Diagnose the Problem

Our engineers check traps, U-bends, and vent pipes first — these are the most common causes. If the smell persists, a CCTV drain survey checks for cracked pipes, broken seals, disconnected joints, or collapsed sections allowing sewer gas to escape.

How We Fix It

Simple fixes include refilling dry traps and repairing or replacing damaged U-bends. More serious causes require drain relining to seal cracked pipes, or pipe replacement for badly damaged sections. We fix the source, not just the symptom.