Foul-smelling drains are more likely to occur during the summer months when material that is passing through them is more susceptible to rotting down. In addition, water pressure can be lower at such times, and this means that solid material will not necessarily pass through as quickly as it does during the autumn and winter. Therefore, you do not necessarily need an emergency plumber simply because you noticed that your drains are becoming a bit stinky. However, if the problem persists for more than a day or two, especially in the winter, then you should call out a plumber to help you resolve the issue. This is especially the case if you notice other, associated problems with your drains. Read on to find out what you need to do.

Inspect Your Drains

If your drains are starting to smell, then it could be that a blockage is trapping material which is causing the odour to occur. Lift up your inspection pit cover and have a look into the drains themselves. If you have standing water which is not passing through, then you will need an emergency plumber to rod your drains for you in order to free up the blockage and allow the trapped foul water to continue on its underground journey.

Check Your Toilet

Another good tip is to flush your toilet several times. If you noticed that the toilet bowl fills up before draining away slowly, then this is also a sign that your drains are clogged up somewhere. Sometimes you will need a plumber to help you clear out material from your toilet's U-bend but, at other times, the problem will be located inside the drains themselves. Either way, an emergency response will be required because smelly drains can soon turn into full blockages which might mean that sewage ends up overflowing in your bathroom. Obviously, this is a highly undesirable outcome that an emergency plumber can avert.

Drainage Reports

In situations where rodding your drains has failed to clear the blockage and foul odours persist, it may be necessary to inspect them with a surveillance camera. Most emergency plumbers have these devices and can insert them into the underground pipes to establish where the problem lies and produce a report accordingly. Such video reports are especially useful for resolving disputes with neighbours because the blockage that is causing the bad smell may not be located on your land at all but on one of the neighbouring properties close to your home.

If you think you need an emergency plumber, then get in contact with a local one.