Over time, you may notice a foul smell coming from your shower drain. This is not uncommon and does not necessarily indicate you have a major plumbing issue. There are some things you can check before you call a plumber. Here are some issues you can check for to help improve the smell of your shower drain.

Your Stopper Is Clogged

Most showers have a stopper or a strainer built into the drain. Over time, the stopper can collect soap scum, hair, and other shower debris to prevent it from going down the drain. The longer the debris sits in the stopper, the more it will begin to emit odor. Although the stopper is beneficial to your overall plumbing system, the debris can eventually be problematic.

To remedy this issue, you can remove your stopper and remove the debris. The stopper is easy to remove by unscrewing one screw. When you pull the stopper up for the first time, you will likely see some debris stuck to it. Remove that first with your gloved hands. Next, use hot water and a bristle brush to clean the stopper. Be sure to check for any debris on the drainpipe as well.

The Drain Has Mold Growth

A shower drain is the perfect environment for mold to grow. If you open your drain stopper to remove debris, check for mold also. Once you replace the stopper, be sure to seal the stopper properly. Any space between the stopper and the base of the shower is ripe for mildew growth.

To get rid of the mold, first, spray bleach down the drain and around the ring of the stopper. Replace the stopper securely. If you cannot get the stopper to seal correctly, the stopper may be damaged or warmed. In this case, you need to replace the stopper to prevent future mold growth.

The P-Trap May Be Dry



A P-trap is the curved pipe you normally see under a sink. There is also a P-trap connected to your shower's drain line. The point of a P-trap is to hold some water behind in the pipes to prevent the accumulation of sewer gas. The water blocks the smell of sewer gas from entering your shower drain and into your bathroom.

If you begin to smell a rotten egg scent coming from your shower drain, your P-trap may not have enough water inside. To check for water, remove the stopper and look in the drain. You should be able to see some water accumulation. If you do not see water, there may be a problem with the P-trap.

To test the P-trap, pour a few cups of water down the drain and allow the water to sit for a few hours. After time passes, check the drainpipe again. If you do not see water, call your plumber. You may have a leaky or loose P-trap. The pipe could also have damage.

The issue may also be a clogged vent. The shower has vents that give the water somewhere to go after air is introduced. Without the air moving through the P-trap, the pipe's natural suction ability will remove the water from the P-trap.

Normally, a vent connects to the P-trap. These components are then connected to a vent stack. Clogs can accumulate in the vent stack. Clogs can include debris collection into the vent, bird nests, or rodents who have built a habitat in the vent stack.

To remedy this problem, you first have to locate the vent stack. Remove the vent's outlet and look into the vent stack and determine if you see debris. If you can safely reach the debris, simply remove and discard it. If you cannot see debris, there may still be a clog deeper into the vent stack. You can try to move the debris with a hose, as the pressure will help clear the debris.

If none of these solutions help the bad odor from your shower drain, give Complete Plumbing. We are happy to inspect the issue and help resolve this issue.