9 Ways to Eliminate Sewer Odor

Co-authored by David Balkan and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: November 17, 2024 References

Blech! Sewer gas is one of the worst smells to have wafting around your home, especially if you aren’t totally sure where it’s coming from. There’s no need to worry, though—a pesky sewer smell is easy to troubleshoot on your own, even if you don’t have a ton of plumbing know-how. We’ve put together a list of things that you can check for around your home, so you can identify and get rid of that nasty sewer odor as soon as possible.

1

Clean the overflow of your bathroom sink.

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Gunk and filth stuck in your sink overflow can create a really nasty smell. Slip on a pair of disposable gloves and dig into the central drain of your sink with a long brush or pipe cleaner—this will help you get to the gunk and grime in your sink’s overflow. Rinse off your brush periodically and keep scrubbing out the muck until it’s gone.
- You can also stick a rubber funnel into your drain and pour boiling water down it to clean out the overflow.
- If your sink overflow is really smelly, dump 1 cup (230.4 g) of baking soda down the drain, along with 1 c (240 mL) of white vinegar. Let the mixture foam and work its magic in your drain; then, pour boiling water into the drain to clear everything out.

2

Refill the water trap in any unused showers and sinks.

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Water traps help block off unpleasant odors from the rest of your pipes. These devices are designed to hold water and block unpleasant sewer smells from floating into your living space. When a bad smell starts filling the air, dump a pitcher or bucket of water down the drain to refill the water trap—with any luck, the foul sewer smell will vanish.^{[1]
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- Water traps are the “U”-shaped sections of pipe beneath your sink. This curved pipe creates a water barrier between your sink and the rest of your pipes, which prevents nasty smells from floating through your pipes and into your home.

3

Check the wax ring beneath your toilet base.

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A deteriorated wax ring may be the source of the bad smell. Switch off the water valve connected to your toilet and remove the toilet from the floor. Then, remove the wax seal and install a new one. This can help prevent leaks from the bottom of your toilet, which will definitely reduce the sewage smell in the area.^{[2]
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- You’ll need a dry towel or sponge, plastic cup, flathead screwdriver, wrench or pliers, and rubber gloves to complete this project.
- Wax rings are super cheap—you can find them online, at home improvement shops, or at big retail stores.

4

Apply silicone caulk to the bottom of your toilet.

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A clear line of silicone caulk prevents nasty smells and odors from wafting out. Stick multiple strips of painter’s tape along the edge and base of the toilet, leaving ¹⁄₂ cm (0.20 in) of space between them. Then, squeeze an even, consistent line of silicone caulk along the front and sides of the toilet, between the strips of tape. Pull away the tape and let the caulk set for a full day.^{[3]
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- Scrape away any old caulk lines with a razor blade before applying a new line to the bottom of your toilet.
- Flush the toilet first and see if any water is seeping out from the base. If you notice water pooling, you’ll need to remove your toilet and install a new wax ring first.
- Don’t apply any caulk along the back edge of the toilet. This way, you can tell if your toilet starts to leak around the base.

5

Unclog any pipes in your kitchen or bathroom.

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Clogged, blocked-off pipes can definitely contribute to a gross sewer smell. Check your toilet, tub, sink, and shower drains to see if they’re draining slowly or completely blocked off. If you notice any slow drainage, take a moment to unclog your toilet, tub, sink, or shower drain. Clearing away the blockages may help clear away any nasty sewage smells, too.^{[4]
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- Start by taking off the sink trap in the pipes under the sink. Empty out whatever is blocking the pipe, then replace the trap. This should clear out your pipes easily.
- A plunger easily removes clogs without damaging your pipes. Try to stick with traditional unclogging methods like plungers and power augers instead of using chemical products. Clog removers are really bad for the environment and may damage your pipes over time.
- Try using a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar to clear out clogs naturally. Dump ½ cup (115.2 g) of baking soda into the clogged drain, along with 1 c (240 mL) of white vinegar. Wait 5-10 minutes for the mixture to react, and then pour 4 c (950 mL) of boiling water down the drain.^{[5]
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6

Check that there’s a plug in your floor drains.

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A drain plug keeps any sewer smells from wafting up. Look for floor drains in your garage, basement, and bathrooms. Remove the cover and measure the width of your drain so you know what size plug you need. Then, head to the hardware store or shop online to find a plug that’ll fit snugly in your drain opening. There are different models to choose from, like:^{[6]
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- Test balls
- Twist plugs
- Pressure plugs
- Backflow valves

7

Give your garbage disposal a deep clean.

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Food can get caught in a garbage disposal, creating a really bad smell. Unplug your garbage disposal and remove the rubber splash guard from the top opening. Scrub any leftover muck from the splash guard with some dish detergent, and pull out any obvious food scraps from the main disposal with a set of pliers. ^{[7]
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- Clean out your garbage disposal naturally with a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda. Feel free to grind some lemon peels in the disposal, too.
- You can also give your garbage disposal a good cleaning by grinding up 2 cups (300 g) of ice and 1 cup (273 g) of salt.

8

Feel around your sink pipes for leaks.

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Leaking or broken pipes can definitely make a stench in your home. Check your home for water leaks by inspecting your water meter. Then, inspect the surfaces around and beneath your pipes to see if they feel damp. If you notice any drips or puddles, there’s a good chance that your pipe is leaking. Feel free to fix these leaking pipes yourself, or to call a plumber for repairs.^{[8]
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- Only repair your own pipes if you feel comfortable working with your own plumbing. If you don’t have a lot of DIY or home repair experience, you’re better off calling a plumber for help.

9

Consult a plumber for extra help.

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A plumber can help you identify and fix whatever’s causing the bad smell. Sewer odor can be caused by a lot of different factors, and it can be tough to figure out the exact cause of the smell on your own. If basic solutions and quick fixes don’t seem to be helping, call a plumber to figure out what exactly is going on.
- Don't try to snake a sink by yourself because it's really easy to damage your pipes. Always call in a professional if the clog is bad enough to use a snake.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can you use a toilet plunger in a sink?

David Balkan
Professional Plumber
David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award.

David Balkan

Professional Plumber

Expert Answer

No, you have to use a sink plunger to clear out a blockage in your sink. It's a good idea to keep both a sink plunger and a toilet plunger in your house for emergencies.

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Warnings

A clogged vent pipe could be the source of the smell, but it’s not a good idea to try and unclog this on your own since it’s usually located on the roof. If you suspect that your vent pipe is clogged, call a professional for help.

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