Warm weather can speed up the process of organic debris breaking down inside your drains and pipes. This accelerates bacterial growth, which leads to foul odors. Heat can also cause moisture in your P-traps to dry out. These P-traps prevent sewer gases from entering your home. When they’re dry, nothing stops odors from wafting through your residence. There are steps you can take to prevent bad odors in your drains this summer.

Utilize Regular Drain Cleaning

Flush hot water through your drains at least once per week during the summer months. This helps remove any grease or residue that’s present. You can also use a mixture of equal parts baking soda and white vinegar to reduce odors. Let the mixture sit inside your drains for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with hot water. This keeps your drains smelling fresh but also helps prevent clogs.

Fill Your P-Traps

If there are drains in your home that aren’t frequently in use, you’ll want to keep those P-traps moist. Pour approximately one cup of water into these drains at least once per week. This helps create a tight seal that blocks sewer gases and odors.

Be Careful What Goes Into Drains

Certain substances are more prone to creating odors in your drains than others. Avoid putting grease or oil into your drains. They easily cling to the side of your pipes and create bad smells. These materials also allow food scraps and other debris to accumulate and cause problems. Scrape plates into the garbage before washing them. Food scraps can go into a compost bin rather than down your drain.

Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Drains

Outdoor drains can also produce foul odors, especially since they have more exposure to heat. Flush these drains with hot water, and remove visible debris. Use a drain strainer to keep leaves, grass, garbage, and other items from entering your drains. You can use a baking soda and vinegar mixture in these drains as well. A natural enzyme cleaner prevents odors but doesn’t cause pipe damage.

Maintain Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals commonly experience bad odors due to the amount of food that goes through them. Tiny bits of debris can remain inside the disposal, leading to bacterial growth. When in use, run water through your disposal to flush material through. You can also use drain-safe disposal cleaning products to break down food particles and promote a fresh-smelling drain. Avoid putting sticky or oily substances into your disposal because they leave behind a residue that’s difficult to remove. If you have concerns or require drain cleaning services, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Cedar Rapids, IA.