Funky Smells Coming from Underneath Your Sink? Find Out Why

Posted on August 19, 2013 by - All Things Plumbing, Bathroom Plumbing Tips, Drain Clearing, Kitchen Plumbing Tips

Have you noticed funky smells coming from underneath your kitchen sink? Maybe you've got a bathroom cabinet that seems to always have a musty smell? If you aren't sure what's going on underneath a sink, you'll want to take the following steps to clear up that bad odor before things get out of control.

Step One: Clear Out Everything From Under the Sink

You'll need to get everything out of the cabinet or space under the sink so you can get a good look at what is going on. As you remove items, carefully check to see if you notice any evidence of:

  • Dripping
  • Spillage

In many cases you will discover:

  • Rotting items that might have gotten misplaced and forgotten, such as a potato in a plastic grocery bag that got stuffed under the sink
  • Substances oozing out of cracked pipes or piping that has lost its seal
  • Substances that have spilled from cracked or unsealed containers and now have spoiled

Step Two: Run Water in the Sink

After you've removed everything from under the sink, you will want to run the water and watch to see if there are any spots dripping. Check the cabinet, dry wall and floor for signs that a pipe has burst or cracked behind the drywall or under the flooring.

Step Three: Run the Garbage Disposal

If the smell is occurring under the garbage disposal, you will want to run the disposal and watch to see if there is any break in the seal or piping that might be leaking.

Step Four: Fix the Leak

Once you've determined the cause of the smell, you'll want to get help fixing it. You may need to reseal the garbage disposal connection or replace cracking piping from the dishwasher. You may need to replace or repair caulking or basic plumbing joint seals.

Step Five: Scrub the Cabinet and Dry Thoroughly

Use bleach and water to scrub the cabinet (wear gloves!) clean. Bleach will disinfect the whole area and kill bad smells. Open windows to ensure proper ventilation.

Be careful not to mix bleach and soap products – some of these combinations can cause dangerous gasses. If you suspect you have spilled cleaning products such as dish soap under the sink, clean using baking soda and water instead of bleach.

When done scrubbing and rinsing, use a fan or hair dryer to dry out the area completely.

Step Six: Finish the Job

Line the cabinet, wash off everything that needs to be returned under the sink and organize carefully. Make sure nothing is pressing against piping (since pressure can cause cracking or breaking of seals.) Keep the area under your sink uncluttered.

Need Charlotte Plumbing Services?

If you have realized that you probably have a break in a seal or cracked piping, contact us for 24-hour service. We can come out any time, any day you need us to quickly:

  • Correct broken plumbing seals
  • Replace cracked pipes
  • Clean out or replace garbage disposals
  • Repair dishwashers or connecting piping
  • Repair or replace bathroom and kitchen sinks
  • Discuss bathroom or kitchen remodeling needs

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Article Summary

Quick question & answer: How can I get rid of the funky smells coming from underneath my sink?

You can get rid of funky smells coming from underneath your sink by clearing out the sink's cabinet, checking for drippage and spillage. Run water to see if any spots are dripping. If it smells near the garbage disposal, run it to see if there is a break in the seal or piping. Fix the leak, then scrub and dry the cabinet.