View Full Version : I have a strong stinky smell under my bathroom sink
eokhuijzen
Nov 14, 2010, 05:08 PM
In vanity cabinet... what is causing it? Old pipes?
ballengerb1
Nov 14, 2010, 05:41 PM
Stinky like raw sewage or stinky like mold. Pipes do not smell byt leaking pipes can cause mold and that smells. How is the trap?
massplumber2008
Nov 14, 2010, 06:07 PM
Hi Eokhuijzen...
Look under your sink and see if you have a threaded mechanical vent... called an AAV (air admittance valve)... see images below.
These AAVs act as a vent for the sink drain and if they fail can allow sewer gasses to flow into the vanity base.
If the AAV is present you should only need to unscrew it and get a replacement AAV and some teflon tape and swap them out!
If no AAV is present, please answer Ballengerb1's questions.. see what else we can come up with... :)
Mark
eokhuijzen
Nov 14, 2010, 06:09 PM
Thanks so much I'll try that!
ballengerb1
Nov 14, 2010, 06:45 PM
Can you answer my questions too?
eokhuijzen
Nov 14, 2010, 06:47 PM
OK I checked and nothing that looks like that. Just piping...
eokhuijzen
Nov 14, 2010, 06:53 PM
Hi Ballengerb1... I can't comment under your answer... some weird Google ad is preventing me. Well, it is weird... its like a sweet smell almost? Like trash? Mixed with musty kind of a mildewy wet smell. I don't see any mold.
mmulligan
Nov 16, 2010, 06:49 AM
I have heard stories of stuff going down the overflow, staying there and creating a smell. I was told a story by a veteran plumber, he said he poured bleach and water into the over flow, with a funnel?