A refreshing shower can help start the day off positively or help you relax before bed. But if there is an unpleasant smell coming from the drain, it can be hard to feel clean. Fortunately, most issues can be easily fixed with the help of a plumbing repair professional. Here are four common causes of shower odors. 

What Is Causing Your Shower Drain to Smell?

1. Mold or Mildew Growth 

Mold and mildew thrive in damp, dark spaces. They are particularly prevalent in bathrooms, including showers. Often, these fungi grow in the space between the drain cover or filter and the tub. While mildew is harmless, mold can be dangerous.

Spores release gas which, in addition to its unpleasant musty smell, can cause symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and headaches if inhaled. Therefore, seek mold remediation.

2. Clogs 

In addition to slowing or stopping water from draining, drain clogs can produce a foul odor. This is a result of grime from decomposing organic materials, such as mineral deposits, dirt, dead skin, hair, and soap scum.

If your drain has a strainer or stopper, the debris may be caught in this apparatus, which you can remove with your fingers. Otherwise, the clog may be located deeper within the pipes. A plumbing repair contractor can identify the source of the clog and remove it. 

3. Dry P-Trap 

If the odor emanating from the drain smells like sulfur, a dry P-trap may be to blame. This P or U-shaped component connects the shower drain to the rest of the drain system. It is designed to hold a small amount of water that blocks the smell of sewer gas from entering the home. 

Pipe vents are designed to carry air displaced by water in the P-trap to a vent stack, where it is released. When the pipe vent is clogged, the suction within the pipes may continuously dry the P-trap. Most clogs occur as a result of an obstruction near the vent stack, such as a bird’s nest or debris buildup. A plumbing contractor can identify the problem and resolve it.

A foul-smelling shower drain may seem like no big deal. However, minor issues can become more significant before you know it. Rely on the plumbing repair professionals at Lonneman Plumbing in Edgewood, KY, for help. These local plumbing contractors have served Kenton County for more than 50 years, providing a range of services from faucet and toilet repair to drain cleaning and sump pump maintenance. Call (859) 341-7755 to speak with a helpful staff member about your plumbing repair needs. Or visit the website to learn more about their offerings.