Smell coming from plughole or shower drain
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Most likely cause & what to check
Most drain smells from plugholes are caused by a build-up of organic matter (hair, soap scum, food residue) decomposing in the trap beneath the plughole.
Remove the plughole cover and pull out any hair or debris with a piece of wire or tweezers — in shower drains, a remarkable amount of hair accumulates in just a few weeks.
Pour a kettle of boiling water slowly down the drain. Follow with a cup of bicarbonate of soda, then a cup of white vinegar. Leave for 15 minutes, then flush with more boiling water.
For persistent smells: use an enzyme-based drain cleaner (not caustic soda — this damages plastic traps and is hazardous). Enzyme cleaners digest organic matter without damaging pipework and cost £5–£10.
If the smell persists after cleaning, the trap seal may be dry or the trap itself may have a crack. Check the trap under the sink and replace if cracked (£5–£10 for a plastic bottle trap).
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