Drain smell

Webby54 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:12 am Post Subject: Drain smell

Hi,

I have a 1930s house with a lean to/utility room at the back. The kitchen sink is directly next to the back door which goes into the lean to room. In the lean to room there is an open drain for kitchen waste and waste from the washing machine.

This drain always smells, and also whenever I use the kitchen sink, the smell comes up through that too.

I cleared the drain a couple of months back and it was blocked with congealed soap from the washing machine. Loads of it. It was disgusting! Anyway, I cleared it all out, but the drain still smells.

The area around the drain hole is very poor and doesnt look to be sealed very well. Its possible that debris from the waste splashes around and gets in the nooks and crannys around the drain.

Would fitting a gully help the situation? Or is there anything else you can recommend?

Thanks.

Terrywookfit · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:48 pm Post Subject:

Is there a trap on the drain?? (Is water standing in the drain)??

Webby54 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:06 pm Post Subject:

There is a trap under the drain, cos there is standing water in the drain. It wouldn't be one I could remove though of course as it goes into the ground.

Terrywookfit · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:11 pm Post Subject:

In that case the smell is not coming from the drain!
Seal around the gulley top and make sure that the pipes discharge into it without splashing over the sides!!
Clean regularly with bleach or disinfectant !!

Webby54 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:18 pm Post Subject:

Yes, I'd figured it might not be the drain. Trouble is it has no gully. I'll try and describe it. Imagine a box, say a foot square and a foot deep, then at the bottom of that box is the drain, about 8-10inches square. The 2 or 3 inch gap around the drain may be the problem and I did endeavour to point the waste pipes to aim into the drain. It might be an idea to take the drain grill off cos the waste water splashes off of that. Can you buy a plastic gully to fit inside the first box, thereby eliminating the splashes and making it easier to clean?

My next job is probably to remove the trap from under the sink and give it a good clean, then maybe I'll check the water tank in the attic (I read something about nasty things in there that can make your water smell!). I don't mind having a go at stuff.

Thanks for your help so far. Keep it coming if poss

Cheers

Terrywookfit · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:30 pm Post Subject:

I wish you luck!!
Mind you dont fall in!!!

Webby54 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:33 pm Post Subject:

Terrywookfit wrote:

I wish you luck!!
Mind you dont fall in!!!

Yes, I've heard stories of dead squirrels and birds in there. I could be gone for weeks before anyone knew!

Terrywookfit · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:40 pm Post Subject:

I once found a flying pig that had drowned