smells from sinks in 6 year old home

[peggyb]

Anyone who has an older home (5 or 6 years) do you ever notice smells from your kitchen double sink? I have tried everything (vinegar, bleach, baking soda, etc) and cannot get rid of it, and it sometimes affects the dishwasher. Another neighbor on my block said when she had a new dishwasher installed the pipes were filled with gunk. I know the water here is not the greatest, and I am looking for a solution...any suggestions?

[graciegirl]

It isn't the water. It is mold. This is very warm place and the air is usually filled with moisture so anyplace that is dark and wet will grow mold.

The mold catches particles of stuff and continues to grow on it...that is the "gunk". Bleach will kill it but pouring it down doesn't get it all over the interior of the pipe.. Some people grind lemon rinds to help too. The ascorbic acid goes after it a little.

[jnieman]

1 teaspoon Dawn dishwashing detergent pour down while the thing is running and very warm water. Should suds up. Works every time for me.

[peggyb]

thanks for the responses...I have put orange and lemon peels in and run the disposal. I also squirt dish soap (a lot of it) in while the disposal is running and it even bubbles up out of the other drain. I works for an hour or so, then it is back. It is not so bad that we can't be in the house, but you notice it when near the sink. May have to take the garbage disposal apart and maybe even get the dishwasher disconnected and check the pipes.

[DangeloInspections]

Do you by chance have a garbage disposal? If so, I find many times the smell is from "gunk" caught under the rubber flaps of the disposal unit.

This "gunk" accumulates by normal use of the unit without running it for an additional 30 seconds or so after everything is ground up. Also it is good to put ice cubes in there and orange/lemon peels in there every so often.

To clean out the "gunk" FIRST switch off the breaker and make SURE the unit is not energized.
Then, with a gloved hand get some paper towels and stick the hand and towels inside, wiping the inside of the rubber flap. You will be surprised at the smelly "gunk" that comes out. Continue until clean. The smell will be gone. Throw out the paper towels out of the house, or the smell will stay.

When it is clean, re-energize the unit and grind up some ice cubes, etc....

Hope this helps.

Frank

[kaydee]

I use a toilet brush ( that has never been in the toilet) in my garbage disposal. Once inserted into the disposal I slowly pull it upward while turning from side to side and it thouroughly cleans the disposal and under the rubber flap. I also love Ode-Ban disinfectant. Buy it concentrated in a gallon at Home Depot. Dilute 50/50 in a spray bottle...works wonders for all drains & disposal.

[ilovetv]

Run the disposal often and WITH LOTS OF RUNNING WATER and detergent. Seniors, especially, are known to not want to "waste" water, and the things get all gooked up inside.

[DangeloInspections]

I use a toilet brush ( that has never been in the toilet) in my garbage disposal. Once inserted into the disposal I slowly pull it upward while turning from side to side and it thouroughly cleans the disposal and under the rubber flap. I also love Ode-Ban disinfectant. Buy it concentrated in a gallon at Home Depot. Dilute 50/50 in a spray bottle...works wonders for all drains & disposal.

Good idea Kaydee! Getting the "gunk" out from under the flaps is the only way to get rid of the smell for good.

Frank

[Villager Dude]

Good idea Kaydee! Getting the "gunk" out from under the flaps is the only way to get rid of the smell for good.

Frank

Don't forget to run water in all drains at least once per month to avoid sewer gas from backing up into the house. Bathrooms that are never used, laundry sink , etc

[babbs455]

ours was like that as well...there is alot of junk that goes down there and sits and rots in the elbow part...you need to take that sucker off and clean it out..you will be amazed at all the stuff in there...it is gross or if there is another word for gross...that's it...

[billethkid]

number one candidate as mentioned...the disposer.
Some have a removeable rubble flap ring that just lifts out for easy cleaning of it.
The more hidden area are down inside the neck of the disposer. If you do not have some sort of bottle brush handy then use an old tooth brush. You must get under the edges...they do collect what ever splashes up from the blades. And it get black and really gross looking and smelling (if you don't clean it regularly).

Then grind up lemon slices followed by a few minutes of hottest water you have.

This needs to be done regularly if you want to avoid potential smells, germs in the sink and just the thought of all that yuk being that close to what you eat or eat with!!!!

btk

[batman911]

1 teaspoon Dawn dishwashing detergent pour down while the thing is running and very warm water. Should suds up. Works every time for me.


I believe most disposal manufacturers recommend you only use cold water.

http://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-a-Garbage-Disposal

[mrfixit]

Most likely the undersink vent is not working and needs to be replace. When the vent is not working the water is siphon from the trap allowing sewer gases and smells into the room.

...Now, there IS someone who thinks like me.
.............at LEAST, the vent should be cleaned.
Our Six yr old home had two places where the pipe
going IN the wall was not properly installed.
The SLUDGE in the horizontal (lol) pipe was blocking
the venting....and the flow pipe was installed backwards.

PLUS......If all else fails ....
you can always call a LICENSED ( honest ) plumber.


As an aside.....
IF you have stink beyond all tolerance.....in ANY location.....
...............................there is a product called "Sparquat-256"......
This stuff WILL eliminate ALL ODORS.
.........YES...... even THAT odor.

[graciegirl]

There is nothing as satisfying as getting something dirty clean. I took the posters advice and got a new..um...brush and went after the garbage disposal.

Instant gratification.:pepper2:

Buncha awful stuff down there!