Anna Hartz
Coming Home to Bad Odors? Here’s What’s Happening
Coming back from vacation should feel relaxing. You step into your home, ready to settle in again.
But sometimes, a terrible smell from the drains greets you instead. Even if everything looks clean and tidy, that stink can show up out of nowhere.
Many people don’t know what causes it, but the reason is simpler than you think. The good news is you can avoid it without spending a lot of money or tearing anything apart.
On hot summer days, your house can stay closed for weeks. The heat makes the water inside your pipes slowly evaporate, writes El Economista.
That water normally forms a seal that keeps sewer gases out of your rooms. When the water dries up, nothing stops those bad smells from coming in.
This is why you sometimes open the door and feel like you walked into a sewer.
The Trap
The part of the plumbing responsible for this is called the trap. It’s the curved section under your sink, shower, toilet, or bathtub.
The trap holds a little water that acts like a lid over the pipe. It keeps smells in the pipes where they belong.
If that water goes away, the gas moves right up into your bathroom or kitchen. Experts say the trap is one of the most important parts of modern plumbing.
It also helps catch small bits of debris before they clog the pipes. That’s why it’s smart to make sure it never dries out.
The Simple Solution
There is a simple trick to help. You can place a piece of absorbent paper over the drain. Then cover it with an upside-down glass or plate.
This slows down evaporation and helps block odors. For toilets, don’t flush out all the water. The water you see in the bowl acts as a barrier.
Before you leave for a trip, check all your drains. Pour some water into each one. Look for leaks or blockages. A little preparation can save you from coming home to a nasty surprise.
