How to Get Rid of Foul Sink Smells—For Good

There’s nothing like walking into a clean kitchen… only to be hit with that gross sink smell. If your Calgary kitchen or bathroom sink is smelling funky, there’s usually a sneaky culprit behind it—and a few easy ways to freshen things up.

What Causes Sink Smells?

1. Rotting Food in the Drain Trap
   Bits of food can get stuck and start to smell in as little as a day.

2. Biofilm Buildup
   That slimy gunk inside pipes? It’s a breeding ground for bacteria and smells.

3. Dry P-Trap (in Unused Sinks)
   If you haven’t run water in a while, the trap can dry out—letting sewer gas in.

4. Clogged Vent Pipe
   This one’s trickier—a blocked vent can cause pressure buildup and odors.

DIY Fixes:

• Boil vinegar & baking soda down the drain

• Run hot water for 30 seconds after each use

• Pour a cup of bleach (carefully) and flush with water

• Clean your sink stopper—lots of gunk hides under there

Still Smells? Time to Call a Plumber

If the smell keeps coming back, the problem could be in the vent stack or deeper in the sewer line.

We’ll track down and eliminate the smell—without harsh chemicals. Calgary plumbing pros, at your service.