Just home from vacation and you notice bad smells in your kitchen or bathroom? This is a common problem for UAE residents.
Understanding how bad odour happens is key to fixing the smell and preventing it next time. In this guide from Dubai home maintenance company, We Will Fix It, we explain exactly what is happening in your drains and appliances and how you can banish the bad kitchen and drain smell after travel.
Key Takeaways
- A dry U-bend or P-trap is the most common cause of the bad bathroom smell after vacation.
- UAE’s heat and humidity speed up water evaporation and bacterial growth, making odours worse.
- Flushing drains with water fixes the smell.
- Sealing drains and cleaning traps before you leave prevents odour from building up.
- Keeping your appliances clean and well-maintained will help prevent bad odour buildups.
Why Do Drains Smell After Travel?
Here are common causes of the musty smells that build up while you are on vacation.
Dry U-Bend or P-Trap
Underneath your sink or shower, you have a U-bend or a P-trap. Both are small bends in the drain pipes that are designed to retain a small amount of water. This water works as a liquid seal to prevent nasty sewer gases from coming up through the drain.
Can unused drains dry out? Yes. While you are on vacation, the water in the U-bend and P-trap evaporates. The empty space then allows the nasty-smelling gases to escape through the plug or drain hole.
Bacteria Build Up
U-bends and P-traps also catch debris and prevent it from going further. In bathrooms, most debris is hair, dirt and soap scum. In kitchens, food and grease often get trapped by the U-bend under the sink and in the dishwasher drain.
While you are away, anything caught in your drains is going to be decomposing and bacteria growing. This process produces nasty smells.
Stagnant Water
Even drains that still have water in the U-bend or P-trap may smell bad. The water becomes stagnant and is then likely to produce unpleasant odours.
Sewer Ventilation
Sewer systems have vent pipes that release foul gases outside and into the open. If a vent is broken or the system is not well-designed, these gases could be pushed into your home.
Why the Drain Smell Is Worse in UAE Homes
In the UAE’s high temperatures and humidity, there is faster evaporation of the water seal in your U-bends and P-traps.
The local climate also causes accelerated bacterial growth, meaning anything caught in your drains is going to smell bad faster.
Ventilation is likely to cause issues. While you are away from home, doors and windows will not have been opened, giving bad smells nowhere to go.
If your A/C is connected to the main drainage system, as is common in Dubai, then you may also have a problem caused by bacteria buildup creating a sewage-like odour that blows out the vents.
Fixing the Bad Drain Smell After Travel
Here’s how to eliminate musty drain smells from your home.
- Flush clean water through all the drains to refill U-bends and P-traps to restore the water seal.
- Air the affected rooms out to allow bad smells to escape.
- If there are still bad smells, clean out any traps and filters designed to catch debris.
- Flush out U-bends by using a commercial drain cleaner or a homemade mix of baking soda and vinegar, followed by a hot water rinse.
These steps nearly always solve the problem. However, if the bad smell persists, ask a Dubai plumber to check for leaks, cracks and other potential issues in your drainage system.
Holiday Prep: How to Avoid the Bad Bathroom Smell After Vacation
There is little you can do to prevent water from evaporating from U-bends and P-traps. However, you can prevent bad smells from escaping the drains by creating a seal.
Should I run water before leaving? Yes. After you are sure the drain area is as clean as possible, flush fresh water through. Then, seal sink drains using the plug. For floor drains in showers, you can create a seal by using a silicone mat as a cover, stuffing a rag into the opening, or filling a large ziplock bag with water and placing it fully over the drain.
Holiday Prep: How to Prevent Drain Odour in Kitchens
Before you leave, give sink traps and the dishwasher filter a thorough clean, using hot water and detergent. Detergent helps clear grease as well as any trapped food particles.
A wet paper towel serves well as a barrier over the sink plughole. It prolongs evaporation from the u-bend, keeping the liquid seal in place for longer.
Holiday Prep: How to Avoid A/C-Related Smells While Travelling
Firstly, make sure your A/C is clean and working well by ensuring it’s had its annual A/C maintenance check. Clean the filters and check the drain line for stagnant water. The less dirt trapped inside, the less chance of bad smells being there when you return.
We recommend running your A/C while you are away. Raise the temperature to around 27°C and ensure it still runs for a few hours a day. This will prevent damp, mold and mildew, as well as keep the humidity levels in your home lower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use bleach on smelly drains?
Bleach isn’t recommended as a fix for drain odour. It disinfects surface bacteria but doesn’t refill a dry U-bend or P-trap, which is usually the real cause of the smell. Bleach can also be harsh on pipes and dangerous if mixed with other cleaning products. A safer approach is flushing the drain with hot water, baking soda and vinegar.
Should I pour oil into the drain?
Oil risks clogging the pipe over time. If you’re preparing for a trip, a wet paper towel over the plughole works just as well as a thin layer of oil and carries no clogging risk.
When should I call a professional?
Call a plumber if any smell continues after flushing the drains with water, cleaning traps and filters, and airing out the room. Persistent odour may point to a leak, crack, or ventilation issue that needs professional inspection. A Dubai plumber can also check your A/C, which is a common source of sewage-like smells in UAE homes.
Home Maintenance Packages From We Will Fix It
You can always return to a fresh and clean-smelling home with a little preparation before you travel. If you follow the tips above and keep your drains and appliances clean and well-maintained throughout the year, you can avoid nasty odours.
We Will Fix It’s comprehensive home maintenance packages ensure your plumbing, AC, and drainage systems stay in top condition. It’s the easiest way to enjoy your holiday knowing your home will smell just as good when you walk back through the door.
For more information and a free quote on our annual maintenance packages, contact us today.
