Sulfur/sewage-type smell coming from sink drain -- what's the problem, and how do I fix it?

Question

Rather curiously, it's only from one sink in my house; the other drains are fine.

No amount of drain cleaner and boiling water have done anything...

It's the bathroom sink, sadly. (It's a bit nauseating to brush my teeth these days.)

Am off to try vinegar & baking soda... Thanks!

Answer 1

Where is the sink located [i.e. bathroom, kitchen]?
Any chance it's sewage fumes from a blocked plumbing vent pipe? [This pipe extends up through your roof to get rid of the sewage gases.]
Try this first:
Remove the drain stopper/pop-up. Pour in 1/2 cup of baking soda. Follow with 1/2 cup of vinegar. [I usually take this opportunity to clean my coffee maker with vinegar and then dump the hot vinegar down my drain.]
Don Aslett's web site also sells a disposable drain cleaner called a Zip-it. It's a long flat plastic thing with serrated edges that pulls out the hair and other "gunk" in your drain.

Answer 2

I have a similar problem with my kitchen sink and dont know why. I'll pour a little bleach down the drain and it seems to help for a couple of weeks then it's back. Good luck

Answer 3

Dog was on the right track. It sounds like your P-trap has dried out. It is the "S" bend in the drain line under the sink. If it is losing water the sewer gas will enter the house. If you don't have a P-trap you must install one.

Answer 4

From the sounds of it, the goose neck under the sink is loosing water, the water is in the goose neck to keep the smells from coming back in your face.

Perhaps this sink has no goose neck and needs one.

If there is a goose neck check for leaks that would allow the Goose neck to empty partially.

Perhaps the Goose neck is not big enough and needs replaced.

Answer 5

use drain cleaning acid, it will desolve anything