Drains shouldn’t constantly smell bad. An occasional faint odour after heavy use might happen, but persistent or sudden strong smells – like rotten eggs, sewage, or stale food – are red flags.

These smells can point to issues like trapped food in kitchen pipes, blocked vents, dried-out traps (where water seals have evaporated), or more serious sewer connection problems. If you pay attention to where and when they appear – only in one bathroom, only after rain, only near the kitchen – you gather clues that a plumber can use to diagnose the issue faster.

Ignoring smells and just masking them with air fresheners doesn’t solve anything. By treating unusual odours as early warnings, you can get help before something backs up, overflows, or damages your home.