We’re in humid, wet Brisbane – and that means we’ve all caught a whiff of something foul wafting up from those smelly drains. Our subtropical climate – those never-ending wet and stormy seasons and sticky summers – can turn a drain into a real stench factory.
But realise this: not every smell drain is created equal. Some stenches hit harder than others, and knowing what’s behind them is the first step to stamping them out. In our exclusive guide, our experienced Brisbane drain plumbers are going to rank Brisbane’s top drain odours – from bad to unbearable. We’ll then show you how to fix smelly drains with practical, at-home solutions that will hopefully avoid a call to pros just like us!
Ready to sniff out the culprits?:
Why drains stink in Brisbane
Drains don’t just smell for fun – it’s a mix of local conditions and everyday habits. Brisbane’s wet season (November to April) dumps an average of 275mm of rain in March alone, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, flooding drains with debris and stagnant water. Add in humidity that fuels mould, plus old clay pipes in heritage Queenslanders, and you’ve got a recipe for a smelly drain. Grease, hair, and silt only make it worse.
But there’s some good news – you can tackle these stinks yourself! Here’s how, ranked in order of the nastiest offenders.
Brisbane’s smell test: How to fix smelly drains
We’ve sniffed out the top 5 drain odours plaguing Brisbane homes. Each comes with a cause and a fix – because no one wants a stinky drain ruining their day, do they? Let’s count it down until our nasal passages can’t stand any more!:
5. Silt & mud murk
It’s earthy and rank – like a swamp moved into your stormwater drain.
Why it’s bad: Floods push a LOT more debris into drains, and it rots in the pipes.
How to fix a smelly drain like this: Scoop out visible muck with a trowel (wear gloves!). Hose the drain with a high-pressure nozzle, then pour a litre of hot water with a tablespoon of bleach. This clears the rot and helps get rid of smelly drains tied to weather.
4. Hair & soap scum stale
It’s sour and faintly chemical, creeping up from shower drains. Yeuch!
Why it’s bad: Hair traps soap scum, forming a slimy, smelly mess – worse in Brisbane’s hard water areas like the western suburbs.
How to clean drain smell:
- Pull out the hair with a gloved hand or a cheap drain snake from a hardware store.
- Rinse with a vinegar-hot water mix (1:2 ratio).
It’s simple, but it works to clean smelly drains – fast.
3. Greasy kitchen nightmares
It’s rancid and oily, sticking to your nose like last week’s fry-up.
Why it’s bad: Grease congeals in pipes, and it’s a major cause of Brisbane clogs. Heat and humidity, don’t forget, turn it rancid – quickly.
How to get rid of smelly drains:
- Pour half a cup of dish soap (degreaser type from the hardware store, preferably) down the drain
- Follow it up with a kettle of nearly-boiled water.
- Scrub with a drain brush if you’ve got one.
This cuts through fat and starts cleaning smelly drains effectively.
2. Mouldy wet season funk
Damp, musty, and clingy – oh my goodness, it’s gross. It’s like a soggy towel left on the bathroom floor for two months.
Why it’s bad: Humidity and standing water in stormwater drains breed mould – especially in summer, although it occurs in all seasons!
How to clean smelly drains:
- Mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of vinegar.
- Let it fizz for 10 minutes.
- Flush with hot water.
This breaks down the mould and helps get rid of drain smell without harsh chemicals.
1. Rotten egg sewer stench
So – you’ve been waiting for the most gross of all the gross drain smells – so here it is:
- Sulphur-like
- Eye-watering
- Downright (and literally) gag-worthy.
It’s the king of smelly sink drains.
Why it’s bad: Hydrogen sulphide gas from sewer backups or trapped waste decomposing in pipes. Brisbane’s flood-prone areas see this spike after heavy rain.
How to fix a smelly drain: We need to flush it out!
- Pour a litre of hot (not boiling) water mixed with a cup of white vinegar down the drain.
- Follow up with 10-15 pumps of a plunger to shift the gunk.
- Repeat weekly to stop drains from smelling like this abominable stench EVER AGAIN.
When to call the Pros
These fixes are for most smelly drains, but be aware that some stenches are just the symptom of much bigger problems. If the rotten egg smell (and all the other brands of stench) linger, you might have a sewer line or other plumbing issue. Maybe it needs hydro-jet blasts that clear with almost 100% success. Deep silt blockages or mould in old pipes can require CCTV drain cameras to pinpoint the source of the stink. So, when DIY hits its limit, it’s time for the experts to roll into town.
Your key to fresher drains
Brisbane’s grossest drain odours don’t stand a chance once you know their tricks. From sewer gas to muddy stormwater, our guide lets you clean smelly drains and reclaim your home’s fresh air. Next time a whiff hits, you’ll be ready – because sniffing out the cause and fixing it is a skill worth having.
But are you still battling a smelly drain after all this? The friendly team right here at Brisbane Drain Cleaning has got your back – around the clock. Whether you’re in Brisbane Northside, Brisbane Southside, Moreton Bay, Logan, or Redland Bay, we’ve got the tools and the team to help. With our pro tools and our decades of combined experience, we know exactly how to fix smelly drains – FAST! Reach out today and wave bye-bye to the stink, for good.
