If you’ve walked into your kitchen and been hit with a nasty whiff you can’t quite place — chances are, your sink is the culprit.
Smelly kitchen sinks are one of the most common callouts we get here at EPM. The good news? In many cases, the cause is easy to sort. And if it isn’t, we’re just down the road in Exeter and happy to help.
Let’s break it down.
What’s That Smell?
A foul smell coming from your kitchen sink usually means that something in the drainage system isn’t right. This might be food waste, grease, or even an issue with how the pipework is set up.
Let’s look at the most common causes:
1. Food Debris in the Trap
Bits of food can get trapped in the U-bend (also called the trap) under your sink. Over time, they break down and start to smell — especially if they’ve been sat there for a while.
✅ Fix:
Pour a kettle full of boiling water down the plughole.
Follow it with a cup of baking soda, then a cup of white vinegar.
Let it fizz for 10–15 minutes, then rinse with more hot water.
Doing this monthly can help keep smells away.
2. Grease and Fat Build-Up
Cooking oils and fats might seem harmless when poured down the drain, but once they cool, they harden. This creates sticky gunk in your pipes that traps food and bacteria.
✅ Fix:
Avoid pouring grease down the sink in the first place. Use paper towels to wipe pans before washing. If grease has already built up, use a biological drain cleaner (like those with enzymes) or give us a ring to clear it professionally.
3. Dry Trap (Especially in Second Sinks)
If your kitchen has a second or rarely used sink, the trap may dry out. That water in the U-bend acts as a seal against smells. If it evaporates, you’ll get odours from the main drainage system.
✅ Fix:
Run the tap for 30 seconds to refill the trap. If you’re not using the sink often, try to run water down it at least once a week.
4. Blocked or Poorly Installed Waste Pipes
We’ve been to plenty of homes around Exeter where the pipework under the sink wasn’t installed correctly — poor gradients, wrong fittings, or just a mess of adaptors. This can cause waste to linger, stagnate, and smell.
✅ Fix:
This is usually one for the pros. We’ll assess the pipework and make sure it’s running efficiently and meets regs.
5. Dishwasher Backflow
If your dishwasher drains into the same waste pipe as your sink and there’s no proper air gap or trap, dirty water from the dishwasher can back up into the sink — or at least make it smell like it.
✅ Fix:
Make sure the dishwasher waste pipe loops up above the connection point (called a “high loop”). If the smells persist, you may need a separate trap or check valve installed.
Keep Your Sink Fresh: Quick Tips
Boiling water once a week helps flush out grease and waste.
Avoid harsh chemicals — they can damage pipework and aren’t always effective.
Use a plughole strainer to catch food scraps.
Consider a regular drain maintenance plan — especially in busy households.
When to Call in a Professional
If the smell sticks around no matter what you try — or you spot signs of a slow drain, leak, or unusual gurgling — it’s time to get someone in. Some issues (like incorrectly fitted pipework or deep blockages) won’t be fixed with baking soda alone.
At EPM, we’ve dealt with everything from blocked traps to entire kitchen waste systems needing a refresh. We’re local, responsive, and always happy to give honest advice.
Final Word from EPM
A smelly sink might seem minor, but if left unchecked, it could lead to more serious issues. Don’t ignore it — and don’t be embarrassed either. We’ve seen it all (trust us).
If your kitchen sink smells and you’re based in Exeter or the surrounding areas, give us a shout. We’ll get things sorted quickly — and properly.
