Kitchen Drain Smells? Here’s What Calgary Homeowners Should Check First
June 26, 2025
June 26, 2025
Nothing ruins a kitchen vibe faster than a foul smell creeping up from the sink. One moment you’re prepping dinner, the next, it smells like something crawled into your drain and gave up. Gross? Absolutely. Uncommon? Not at all.
If you’re a homeowner in Calgary, you’ve likely dealt with strange kitchen drain smells before. And while they may seem harmless at first, these odours are usually symptoms of something deeper, grease buildup, clogs, trapped food waste, or worse, a full-blown plumbing issue on the rise.
This isn’t just about fresh air. It’s about protecting your pipes, preventing costly damage, and making sure your kitchen stays clean, functional, and inviting. In this blog, we’ll break down what causes that smell, what to check first, and why professional kitchen drain cleaning by expert plumbers is your best bet when DIY doesn’t cut it.
A smelly kitchen sink isn’t just unpleasant, it’s a red flag. Every time you rinse your dishes, small traces of grease, oils, and food scraps enter your drain. Over time, those particles settle and decompose. That’s when bacteria move in, and that’s where the stink begins.
In Calgary, this problem is amplified in colder months. Grease solidifies faster in the pipes, creating a sticky, slimy mess that traps even more debris. Once the bacteria start breaking it all down, the drain starts to smell like a compost bin.
The takeaway? Drain smells are a warning sign, and your nose is the first to know something’s off.
Before you panic or call for help, you can do a quick inspection of the likely suspects. These early checks can save time and point you in the right direction.
Pop out the sink strainer or stopper. If you see black sludge, food bits, or grease, that’s your first clue. Clean it out thoroughly and note if the smell lessens.
Slow drainage is a sign that the pipes are clogged or partially blocked. That gunk you see (and smell) might be stuck further down the line.
The P-trap, the U-shaped pipe under your sink, should always contain a bit of water. It acts like a barrier, preventing sewer gases from coming back into your home. If it’s dry, pour in some water and see if the smell goes away.
Weird noises when the water drains? That could mean poor venting or a blocked vent pipe, both of which can force odours back through the drain.
If the smell is mild and your drain is still working properly, try these simple, non-toxic solutions first.
Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to loosen grease and dislodge sticky buildup. Do this slowly and in short bursts to avoid pipe damage.
A classic solution:
This helps eliminate minor blockages and neutralises odour-causing bacteria.
If you suspect grease is the problem, a combo of dish soap and boiling water can break it down. Let the soap sit for 10 minutes before flushing with hot water.
Important: Avoid commercial chemical drain cleaners. They can corrode your pipes and mask the problem temporarily without fixing the root cause.
You’ve tried everything, but your sink still smells like a swamp. At this point, it’s time to call in the pros. Professional kitchen drain cleaning in Calgary goes far beyond what baking soda and vinegar can achieve.
A qualified plumber will likely perform a drain camera inspection to locate the problem. From there, they may use hydrojetting or augering tools to fully clear the drain and restore flow.
This process not only removes the stink, but it also prevents future clogs and pipe damage.
Fixing the issue is only half the battle. Now it’s time to make sure it doesn’t return. These small habits can make a big difference:
Don’t dump grease, coffee grounds, or food scraps into the sink. Use a compost bin or garbage can.
These catch solids before they go down the drain. Clean them daily to prevent buildup.
A quick hot water rinse after dinner helps keep grease and food residue from hardening inside the pipes.
Maintain your pipes with monthly baking soda and vinegar treatments to stop buildup before it starts.
Professional cleaning once a year can prevent surprise clogs and eliminate deep gunk and odour-causing bacteria.
Jack’d Up Plumbing is Calgary’s go-to expert for everything plumbing, especially the smelly stuff. Whether your kitchen sink is gurgling, draining slowly, or just flat-out stinks, we’ve got the tools, training, and 24/7 service to fix it fast. From kitchen drain cleaning to full pipe inspections, we do it all with a smile and zero shortcuts.
Contact us today for more information.