Why Do My Drains Smell Like Rotten Eggs? (And How to Fix It)

If your sink gives off a strong rotten egg odour, we know you want to fix the problem fast. In most cases this smell comes from sewer gases, bacteria in pipe gunk or your hot water system reacting with sulphates.

We explain simple fixes Adelaide homeowners can try now, and when to call in licensed help. Try flushing with hot water or white vinegar, use baking soda and vinegar, plunge with a good seal, or clear the P‑trap carefully. Avoid pouring boiling water into PVC and don’t use harsh chemicals that can damage fittings.

When slow flow, gurgling or multiple fixtures show the same odour, the issue may be a blocked vent or sewer line and needs professional attention. We’re qualified, insured and available 24/7 for emergency plumbing, hydro jetting, CCTV inspections and hot water work.

Call Marc on 0432 667 785 or request a quote today. Need help now? Call our emergency line or email info@allmatplumbing.com.au.

Key Takeaways

• Rotten egg odour often signals sewer gas or bacteria in the pipework.
• Try hot water, white vinegar, or baking soda and vinegar as quick fixes.
• Don’t pour boiling water into PVC or use strong chemicals on fixtures.
• Slow drains, gurgles or multiple affected outlets mean call a licensed plumber.
• We provide 24/7 service, hydro jetting, CCTV inspections and hot water replacement.

That rotten egg smell in your drain — what it means in Adelaide homes

That sulphur smell in the home is rarely harmless — it tells us where to look in the plumbing. In Adelaide houses this odour often links to sewer gases leaking past a dry P‑trap or being pushed back by a blocked vent.

If the smell gets stronger when you run water, the issue may be gunk or rotting food and soap scum trapped in the sink drain or overflow. A musty note can mean mould in overflow channels.

Bathroom and shower wastes clog with hair and scum; those materials feed bacteria and create persistent smells. In the kitchen, food particles and grease coat the pipes and produce odour as they break down.

• Only hot taps smell? The hot water system can host sulphate‑reducing bacteria.
• Repeated or widespread smells point to deeper pipe or vent faults and need a licensed check.

Simple first step: run water to refill traps, then reassess. For fast, local help book a plumber in Adelaide — call Marc on 0432 667 785. We’re fully equipped for a quick response.

What causes smelly drains in bathrooms and kitchens

Persistent odours from kitchen or bathroom pipes usually point to a few common, fixable faults. We see the same causes in Adelaide homes and know how to diagnose them quickly.

Hair, soap scum, grease and food scraps feeding bacteria

Build-up of hair, soap scum, grease and food forms sticky debris in the pipe that attracts bacteria and creates an unpleasant smell. This gunk clings to the sink and the water drain, causing slow flow and repeat blockages.

Dry P-trap and blocked vents

A dry or empty P‑trap lets sewer gases pass the pipe bend and into the room. Blocked vent pipes also raise pressure and push odours back down through outlets, often causing gurgling across multiple fixtures.

Mould, water heater bacteria and hidden faults

Damp overflows and internal pipework can grow mould that gives a musty note. Sulphate‑reducing bacteria in hot water systems produce H2S — a rotten egg smell — when only hot taps are affected.

• Hidden problems: cracked sewer lines, tree root intrusion or damaged pipes cause persistent odours and gurgling.
• What we do: CCTV inspection to locate the cause, hydro jet clearing for grease and debris, and repairs to sewer and stormwater lines.
• Coverage: we’re qualified, insured and available 24/7 for emergencies.

Smelly drains remedies you can try now

Start with simple, safe steps to clear odour and restore good flow in your sink. Work top to bottom: overflow, plug, trap and then the main line. Keep each action short and test the water flow between steps.

Flush with hot water or white vinegar: simmer hot water or warm white vinegar. Pour half down the sink drain, wait a few minutes, run cold water to solidify grease, then pour the rest to flush.

Baking soda and vinegar fizz: sprinkle a cup of baking soda into the pipe. Follow with two cups of warm vinegar. Let the baking soda vinegar fizz for an hour, then flush with hot water.

• Plunge: apply petroleum jelly to the plunger rim for a tighter seal. Submerge the bell and plunge vigorously for soft blockages in bathroom or shower wastes.
• Snake it: use a plastic drain snake or a coat hanger hooked end to pull out hair and debris from the sink drain.
• Clean the P‑trap: place a bucket under the trap, undo collars slowly, empty and rinse the trap outside, then reattach and re-seal.
• Clear the overflow: scrub with a small brush and white vinegar to remove soap scum and mould in bathroom basins.
• Safety tip: avoid pouring boiling water into PVC. Use hot water to protect fittings.

If the odour returns or the water drain stays slow, we’re ready to help 24/7. Request a quote today, call Marc on 0432 667 785 or email info@allmatplumbing.com.au.

When to stop DIY and call an Adelaide plumber

When a persistent odour or repeated gurgling won’t shift, it’s time to stop DIY and call a qualified plumber.

Simple cleaning helps at first, but recurring smells, slow flow or gurgling across more than one outlet often points to a shared sewer or vent issue. These faults need tools and inspection techniques that we use on site.

Signs that need professional attention

• Multiple fixtures smell or gurgle together — likely a shared sewer or vent problem.
• Odour returns days after cleaning — this suggests deeper plumbing faults.
• Slow or blocked drains that won’t clear with standard methods.
• Suspected tree roots, cracked pipe, or leaks under slabs and garden areas.

How we respond in Adelaide

We send licensed, insured teams with fully equipped vehicles for fast diagnosis. We perform CCTV inspections to locate faults in pipes without guesswork.

When DIY doesn’t shift the problem, we use hydro jetting to cut through grease and biofilm and carry out repairs to sewer and pipework.

Need help now? Call our 24/7 emergency line or book a plumber in Adelaide today.

How we fix smelly drains properly

We combine CCTV checks and hydro jetting to find and remove the debris causing bad smells in your pipework. Our approach finds the root cause and avoids unnecessary digging.

Hydro jet drain clearing for stubborn grease and scum

Hydro jetting uses high‑pressure water to scour grease, soap and biofilm from inside the drain wall. It clears heavy build-up and restores flow without chemicals.

CCTV drain inspections to find the exact cause

We start with CCTV cameras to inspect the pipe interior. This shows blockages, root intrusion or cracked sewer lines so we can plan the right repair.

Repairs to sewer and stormwater lines, traps and vents

We re-seal dry traps, clear blocked vents and repair broken sewer and stormwater lines. Restoring seals prevents sewer gases entering living areas.

Commercial support: backflow testing, TMVs and grease arresters

For businesses we provide backflow testing, TMV servicing and grease arrester installation. We also handle design and construct projects for commercial sites.

• General plumbing repairs: taps, toilets, burst pipes and water mains
• Hot water service: gas, electric, heat pump and solar
• Gas fitting and leak detection
• Priority emergency response across Adelaide — 24/7

Need help now? We run fully equipped vehicles and respond fast. Call our 24/7 emergency line or ring Marc on 0432 667 785.

Prevention tips that actually work

Small, consistent habits around the kitchen and bathroom cut odours before they start. These steps save time and help avoid costly repairs for Adelaide homes and businesses.

Kitchen habits: stop fats, oils and grease

Wipe pans and scrape food into the bin before washing. Never pour FOG (fats, oils, grease) down the sink.

Use a strainer to catch food particles and empty it into household waste each day.

Bathroom habits: capture hair and reduce soap scum

Fit strainers on basin and shower wastes to trap hair and soap. Brush out shower wastes weekly.

Clean overflows and stoppers to remove soap scum and scum before it lodges deeper in the pipe.

Keep P‑traps wet and use baking soda

Run water in seldom‑used outlets to keep the P‑trap seal wet. This prevents sewer gas from coming up.

Pour a cup of baking soda weekly, follow with hot water to freshen the pipe. Try a baking soda vinegar rinse monthly for extra lift without harsh chemicals.

Professional checks and routine maintenance

Avoid chemical cleaners — they can damage seals and pipe linings. If odours return, book routine maintenance and a CCTV check.

We’re ready to help keep your sink and pipework clear. Book a plumber in Adelaide and ask about backflow testing or hot water replacement if needed.

Local, qualified and ready to respond across Adelaide

When a sink or bathroom issue disrupts your day, prompt service from a trusted plumber is essential. We are Adelaide locals and we respond fast to protect your home and business.

We’re qualified, insured and fully equipped for residential and commercial plumbing. Our teams run vans stocked with parts, CCTV cameras and hydro jet units to clear blockages and inspect sewer lines quickly.

What we cover

• All plumbing from taps and toilets to water mains and stormwater repairs.
• Kitchen and bathroom work, sink and pipe fixes, leak detection and hot water service.
• Commercial services: backflow testing, TMVs and grease arresters.

Fast response and clear communication

We often offer same‑day service and provide 24/7 emergency cover across Adelaide. Expect neat work, clear quotes and follow‑up advice.

Call Marc on 0432 667 785 or email info@allmatplumbing.com.au to book. We move quickly to diagnose and fix the issue so you can get back to normal.

Hot water smells like rotten eggs?

A sulphur note from only the hot taps often means the water heater is the source. Start by testing both hot and cold at the same sink and other outlets. If the odour appears only from hot water, the tank or its anode is likely involved.

Check if only the hot tap smells — it may be the water heater

We ask you to test taps in the kitchen and bathroom. Run cold, then hot, and sniff at the sink and nearby drains. This quick check narrows the fault to the heater rather than the pipes or household drains.

We replace anodes and hot water systems: gas, electric, heat pump, solar

The usual cause is sulphate‑reducing bacteria reacting with sulphates in the tank to create H2S — the rotten egg scent. We inspect the tank, replace sacrificial anodes, and flush or sanitise the unit when needed.

Ask for hot water replacement or testing when you book

• We inspect tanks, valves and connecting pipes, and confirm the source at each outlet.
• We service or replace gas, electric, heat pump and solar hot water systems and manage licensed gas fitting.
• We flush and sanitise lines, then re‑check the sink, drain and fixtures to confirm the fix.

Ask for hot water replacement or testing when you book. Call Marc on 0432 667 785. We respond across Adelaide for no hot water or odour faults and work with qualified plumbers to complete all connections safely.

Conclusion

A few safe, repeatable steps at home will usually clear an odour and restore normal water flow. Start with a hot water or vinegar flush, try a baking soda vinegar fizz, plunge or snake to remove hair and food, and clean the P‑trap and overflow. Avoid pouring boiling water onto PVC and skip harsh chemicals.

If the smell returns, you notice slow water, gurgles or several fixtures affected, the fault may be in the sewer or vent. We use CCTV to inspect pipes, hydro jetting to clear grease and perform repairs where needed.

We’re qualified, insured and offer 24/7 support across Adelaide. Book a plumber in Adelaide. Call Marc on 0432 667 785, email info@allmatplumbing.com.au, or request a quote today.