When kitchen sinks develop a foul, rotten egg odor, the problem is usually old food stuck in the drain. However, bathrooms can also take on the same scent, and there’s no food going down the drains in those rooms. So if a bathroom smells like sulfur, what’s the cause?
Al Coronado Plumbing is one of the top providers of Sahuarita’s expert plumbing services. In the post below, our team outlines the top reasons a bathroom can have a sulfuric smell and what you could do to address it. Give us a call at (520) 834-8400 if you need more help with drains.
Is the Smell From the Water or a Drain?
If your bathroom smells bad without an obvious cause, you might assume it’s mold growth, mildew, or water contamination. A sulfur smell won’t signify mold or mildew. Those growths produce a musty scent, not a sulfuric one.
Water contamination is a possibility, though. If you think the water is the problem, you can perform a quick test.
Fill a glass with cold tap water, take it outside, and give it a sniff. Do the same with the hot water. Rotten egg smells in the hot water glass usually mean water heater contamination, and foul odors from both glasses indicate water supply contamination.
If neither glass smells, the problem is likely one or more of the bathroom’s drains.
Are Your Bathroom Drains the Culprit?
If your bathroom smells like sulfur due to a drain, it could be due to one of these reasons:
- Plumbing Ventilation Problems: Your plumbing system has a vent pipe that helps water flow down drains. A clog in that pipe from dirt, leaves, or other debris can reduce water flow, causing gases from organic waste to seep from drains.
- Toilet Problems: You could deposit a septic-safe bleach tab in your toilet’s tank if it smells even after a thorough cleaning. However, you might need help from a qualified plumber if the bleach deodorizer doesn’t work; your toilet may be leaking sewer gas.
- Dry Drain Trap: The U-shaped pipes beneath drains should have some water on their lowest part. That water forms a seal to block sewer line gases from exiting the drain. Your drains will start to smell if the U-pipe dries completely.
How to Get Rid of Sulfur Smells in Your Bathroom
Air fresheners can help hide some odors. Effective odor elimination for bathroom drains starts with plumbing maintenance and routine cleaning. Here are several plumbing and cleaning tips to consider:
- Use drain traps to prevent clogs from hair, dirt, and other particles
- Flush your pipes often with enzyme cleaners
- Call a plumber to clear clogs
Learn More About Plumbing Maintenance From Al Coronado Plumbing
If you can’t figure out why your bathroom smells like sulfur, our Al Coronado Plumbing professionals can help. With over 40 years of experience providing top-tier plumbing services throughout Sahuarita, Arizona, our local technicians can quickly find, diagnose, and fix any plumbing problem.
We’re the team to call whether you have a toilet gurgling problem or a clogged drain—call (520) 834-8400 today to schedule services with Al Coronado Plumbing.