Smelly Plughole/Drain - Help!

[LaughingGirl]

We've got a double sink in the kitchen and every time I use our washing machine, the plughole on the side nearest the machine regurgitates the most appalling smell imaginable. It smells like rotten eggs, and unfortunately it's been like this since we moved into this house.

 

I've tried everything I can think of...disinfectant, bicarb, every propriety drain cleaner on the market (everything from Poundland to the really expensive varieties), and although it might get rid of (or mask) the smell for a day or two at most it always comes back. Right at this moment, it's so bad I can't go into the kitchen because it's making me heave.

 

We contacted our letting agent about this when we first moved in, and they sent their handy man round but he couldn't see where the problem was and just suggested we use drain cleaner. We know it's not the washing machine itself - my OH has taken the pipe off it and checked it (no smell), but we cleaned the whole thing including the filter regardless - it made no difference at all.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may be causing this, or what on earth we can do to get rid of it? My niece dropped round the other evening just as it started and I was mortified because the smell was so bad!

[Night Owl]

Sounds like something has curled up and died in the pipes LG!!

Maybe the pipes need rodding to free up sludge stuck to the sides that is not being shifted with the hardcore drain unblokers!

Is the U bend bunged up with sludge?

[LaughingGirl]

It flipping smells like something has curled up and died in there, believe me!

 

Nothing that we can see is clogging the pipes - my OH has taken the U Bend off, and there's nothing obvious stuck in there. I'm at a complete loss as to what it could be - it's definitely got something to do with the washing machine because a) it only ever happens when I run it and b) once when I put drain cleaner down there, the next time I ran the machine all the clothes were ruined because the drain cleaner somehow ended up in the machine.

[Night Owl]

Just found this interesting info LG.

 

Another possible cause for smells like this is if the drain hose is connected directly to the sink plumbing instead of having a separate plumbing arrangement. If there is a direct run down from the sink connection to the washing machine it can allow some of the dirty water running down the sink to run down the drain hose into the washing machine. A drain hose that is connected to a sink u-bend should first go up 3 or 4 inches high (it may need tying up) before running down to the washing machine.

[SOD'EM]

We have the same problem when we use our washing machine. I give up trying to fix it now.

[locutus]

I would say a U bend problem... Maybe post a picture of the plumbing so someone in the know can post some advice.

[LaughingGirl]

Just found this interesting info LG.

 

Another possible cause for smells like this is if the drain hose is connected directly to the sink plumbing instead of having a separate plumbing arrangement. If there is a direct run down from the sink connection to the washing machine it can allow some of the dirty water running down the sink to run down the drain hose into the washing machine. A drain hose that is connected to a sink u-bend should first go up 3 or 4 inches high (it may need tying up) before running down to the washing machine.

 

Just wanted to pop back and say that I showed this to my OH, he investigated and this was the problem. I can't explain exactly how he fixed it due to the very inconvenient location of our washing machine (when it's pulled out you can only get one person in the kitchen), but I can confirm that it involved cable ties and bad language. He also tells me that when we leave, the washing machine is staying because he's not taking it back out again.

 

It took two or three washes for the smell to vanish completely, but it has definitely gone.

 

Anyway, I can't thank you enough - I can't explain how awful that smell was!

[Vieil Homme]

While there are many reasons for a smell emanating from your sink plug hole when you run your washing machine or dishwasher the main problem is the water in the sump has got lots of muck/food stuck. A quick fix is to run a quick wash with a strong bleech solution. Do this once a month and your smell will be gone, well from your sink PS I is a working plumber and normaly charge quite a lot for this info.........

[stu007]

Hi

 

Something else to consider is once a month or instead of exspensive fabric softner or washine machine cleaners is to use white vinegar also clean the machine at the same time.

 

Yes you have a slight vinegar smell if using instead of fabric softner but this only last until the clothes are dry and and no smell and a cheap alternative to fabric softner and also washing machine cleaners as it does the two jobs at the same time.

[Vieil Homme]

Hi

 

Something else to consider is once a month or instead of exspensive fabric softner or washine machine cleaners is to use white vinegar also clean the machine at the same time.

 

Yes you have a slight vinegar smell if using instead of fabric softner but this only last until the clothes are dry and and no smell and a cheap alternative to fabric softner and also washing machine cleaners as it does the two jobs at the same time.

 

This will only remove the lime scale in part and may help with the smell but not remove it as a solution of Bleach will, well it will kill 99% of the smells, Im working on the other 1%

[Night Owl]

Just wanted to pop back and say that I showed this to my OH, he investigated and this was the problem. I can't explain exactly how he fixed it due to the very inconvenient location of our washing machine (when it's pulled out you can only get one person in the kitchen), but I can confirm that it involved cable ties and bad language. He also tells me that when we leave, the washing machine is staying because he's not taking it back out again.

 

It took two or three washes for the smell to vanish completely, but it has definitely gone.

 

Anyway, I can't thank you enough - I can't explain how awful that smell was!

 

Glad it's all sorted LG.

At least your OH now has a new skill