If your kitchen or bathroom has started to smell like something unpleasant is lingering in the pipes, you are not alone. Many households across Basingstoke deal with foul odours coming from their sinks, showers or utility drains. These smells often point to hidden problems with water traps, grease build up, poor ventilation or blocked pipework. The good news is that many of these issues can be tackled safely at home.
A musty, sewage like smell coming from your plughole can indicate something is wrong with your drainage system. When water traps dry out, organic waste lingers or airflow is restricted, unpleasant gases rise back into your living space.
Different types of properties in Basingstoke face different challenges. Older terrace houses near the town centre may have clay pipes and shared soil stacks. New builds in areas such as Limes Park or Beggarwood often struggle with rushed installations or inadequate venting. Seasonal weather shifts can also affect the system, causing water traps to dry or pipe pressure to change.
Bleach might seem like an easy fix, but persistent smells usually suggest something deeper that needs attention.
A common culprit is a dry P trap in a bathroom or utility room that’s rarely used. When the water in the trap evaporates, it no longer creates a barrier against gases in the drainage system, allowing them to rise into your home. This often leads to a noticeable rotten egg smell that appears suddenly.
In kitchens, biofilm build up can cause both odours and gurgling sounds. Food waste, oils and soap residue line the inside of pipes and create a slimy biofilm that harbours bacteria. As this build up thickens, airflow becomes restricted and unpleasant smells become trapped.
Poor ventilation is another common problem, particularly in older homes or recently renovated properties. A poorly installed or missing vent pipe can cause negative pressure in your plumbing, pulling water from traps and letting gases rise. Many homeowners are unaware of how important proper venting is in preventing these smells.
Drain ventilation works by allowing air into your pipe system, equalising pressure and helping water flow properly. Without this air, suction forms, drawing water out of traps and exposing your home to foul gases. Good ventilation is provided either through roof mounted soil vent pipes or air admittance valves installed at key points.
Smells can also enter from outside the home, particularly if you live in a mature area of Basingstoke. Tree roots often invade old clay pipes, while cracked or collapsed sections let odours escape through the soil and into your building. These smells are often strongest near gully traps or doors. Homeowners in areas like Kempshott and Hatch Warren have reported similar problems, especially in properties with shared drain systems.
In some cases, smells appear during spring or autumn when changes in air pressure affect how your drains operate. Vent stacks and water seals are sensitive to these shifts, which can cause traps to empty and gases to return, even if the drain looks clean.
To help narrow down the cause, consider the following: A rotten egg smell likely points to a dry trap. A greasy or musty kitchen odour might be from biofilm. If the smell worsens after rain or wind, outdoor venting could be compromised. Gurgling noises typically signal an airflow restriction or blockage deeper in the system.
Pro Tip: If you rarely use a bathroom, pour water down the sink monthly to stop smells.
Smells won’t wait, neither should you.
If the stink won’t shift, get a same day inspection from our trusted Basingstoke team
If the smell is new or mild, there are some simple fixes you can try before calling in a professional. Start by flushing the trap with boiling water. This helps dissolve grease and clear out loose debris. Another option is the baking soda and vinegar method. Pour half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar into the drain, wait ten minutes, then rinse with hot water. This chemical reaction can help dislodge small blockages and remove odours.
You can also clean the P trap manually. If you’re confident with basic plumbing, unscrewing the trap beneath the sink and rinsing it out can often solve the issue. For drains that aren’t used often, such as in guest bathrooms or garages, pouring water into the trap helps restore the protective seal. Don’t forget to check your appliance hoses. Washing machines and dishwashers often harbour grease and food particles in their waste lines.
There are also a few things you should avoid. Do not rely on chemical drain cleaners for regular maintenance. These can damage older pipes and don’t address the underlying issue. Avoid pouring bleach into metal pipes, as it can corrode joints over time. And don’t ignore recurring smells. They usually mean there’s a larger problem developing.
Once you’ve tackled the smell, you’ll want to stop it from returning. The easiest way to do this is by building some maintenance habits into your monthly routine. Flushing each drain with boiling water helps keep biofilm at bay and supports biofilm prevention over time. Regularly clean out appliance filters, particularly in dishwashers and washing machines, to stop stagnant waste from causing smells. This also plays a role in overall drain odour management.
You should also top up the water in little used traps monthly. This includes sinks in guest bathrooms, outdoor taps or floor drains. A simple trick for ongoing freshness is pouring a small amount of salt and hot water into your drains at night. It helps to dislodge bacteria and light organic matter, helping to prevent blocked pipes. Check your outdoor gullies after storms or garden work to ensure debris hasn’t built up.
Landlords and property managers should keep a regular log of drainage checks, particularly in HMOs where certain bathrooms or kitchens might be used infrequently. Staying on top of things helps avoid tenant complaints and potential repair costs later.
Pro Tip: Cleaning appliance filters is one of the most overlooked causes of recurring drain odour.
While many smells can be resolved at home, some issues run deeper. You should contact a local drain specialist in Hampshire if smells return quickly after DIY fixes, or if you notice water bubbling in sinks or hear unusual gurgling sounds. If odours are affecting more than one room, there could be a fault in your soil stack, vent pipe or underground drainage.
Poor venting, faulty installation, or ongoing complaints from tenants are all signs that something more serious is happening. In these cases, a local firm like 24Hrs Drainage can carry out detailed inspections using CCTV cameras and offer services such as high pressure jetting, trap replacement, pipe realignment or leak diagnostics. If the job feels outside your comfort zone, it probably is.
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When you hire someone to inspect or fix your drainage, asking the right questions can make a big difference. Always check whether they offer emergency call out services and if there are any additional costs. Find out if a camera inspection is included in the quoted price or considered extra. Be sure to ask whether they’re TrustMark certified, Checkatrade registered or affiliated with other recognised UK trade bodies.
Make sure the company is insured and offers a proper guarantee for their work. Ask if they’ve dealt with homes in Basingstoke before and whether they’re familiar with local drainage setups and challenges. Lastly, ask how soon they can attend your property.
These checks help ensure you’re choosing someone reliable, experienced and ready to resolve the issue efficiently. Whether you’re a homeowner or managing multiple properties, it’s worth saving or printing this list for future reference.
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