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Stinky Overflow. Plug it? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Our bathroom sink overflow is driving me crazy with the awful smell.

I know it gets contaminated through regular drainage rather than overflow drainage. If I don’t clean it out at least once a week, foul smelling crud accumulates in the overflow slot.

I’ve changed the drain assembly 2x. I’ve disinfected it, used hospital-grade cleaners, hot water, vinegar. Nothing helps unless I clean the accumulated sludge, and I can’t figure out why it’s accumulating in the first place.

Should I plug the overflow slow? Tape over it? Is it the sink design that’s defective? I’m at a loss.

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 3 months ago (1 children)

You may have a drain that is draining too slow which is causing a backup into the overflow. If you turn the water on full blast does the drain keep up? If it's not keeping up you need to figure out why.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

🤯 you just blew my mind with that possibility.

When I put the pop-up stopper in, the drain flows much slower than without it. And! Without the pop-up stopper installed, I’ve never had the smell or slime. I hadn’t put two and two together.

I guess what threw me is that it’s happened with two separate (but similar) drain assemblies. Maybe I’ll try installing a grid style assembly. That might do the trick.

Thank you so much! I’ve been trying to solve this mystery for well over a year.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago

I just want to say this interaction made me happy and I'm glad to have witnessed it. It's been a shit day and this cheered me up (a little).

[–] [email protected] 14 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I would have a plumber look at it. A sink smelling is a possible sign that sewer gases are pushing past the p-trap. This may be because of an obstructed vent.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago

Thankfully, it’s not that. As soon as I clean the sludge that accumulates in the overflow opening, the smell goes away immediately.