Disposal Damage: What that Smell Coming From Your Sink Means

The sink disposal is one of the handiest tools available in a modern kitchen. But when it stops working, the bad smells from rotting food fill the air almost immediately. Rotting food can stink up your kitchen for a number of reasons and you may need a qualified plumber to help you fix the common failures of a sink disposal unit. Removing that foul odor and the causes behind it will make for a healthier and cleaner kitchen.

Disposal Damage: What that Smell Coming From Your Sink Means

Lemons
A bad odor coming from the kitchen sink often means there is moldy food stuck in the disposal. You can put some lemons inside and turn it on. The acid in the citrus fruit neutralizes some of the worst odors caused by food that has become stuck in the blades, but you will still need to give the disposal a good cleaning. The good news is lemons are affordable, and so are the rest of the tools you need to combat a stinky sink.

Vinegar and Dish Soap
Vinegar is an inexpensive substance you probably already have in your kitchen. You can fill a sink with warm water and add half a cup of vinegar and a splash of dish soap. Unplug the drain and turn on the disposal to let the mixture splash around inside the blades. That awful odor should be meeting its end soon.

Brushing
Brushing your teeth removes plaque. Brushing the inside of the food disposal cleans the food particles. Disconnect the entire system before attempting to use a brush. Unplug the unit and disconnect every component so you will remain safe while cleaning up the drains. You can use a wire brush and some hot water with dish soap to scrub the drain and free it from nasty food particles once and for all.

Consult a Plumber
If you still can’t get rid of the food odors, you might need to contact a plumber. Professionals like Rakeman Plumbing can clean the disposal and see if there is another underlying cause for the odor. You may need other pipes in the kitchen cleaned or replaced.

A foul smell in your sink often points to some common problems with the disposal unit. You can easily and safely clean the disposal to remove the odor and get back daily life. Call a plumber for more serious issues that need professional attention.