By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
Our bathroom sink stinks! We had it replaced about two years ago, but that didn't help. It drains just fine but gives off a rotten odor. We've tried cleansers and bleach, but nothing works. What could be causing this, and what can we do to fix it? -Jeri
Dear Jeri,
Your sink drain apparently has a ventilation problem, causing sewer gases to vent into your home. Sounds lovely, doesn't it? Well, here's how it works: The pipes that stick up from your roof are drain vents. They help to maintain the water seal in the drain traps below your sinks, while conveying malodorous vapors to the exterior of the building. When these pipes are blocked or are improperly installed, gases have nowhere to go except into the space where you live. A qualified plumber can determine the precise cause of the problem and affect a satisfactory solution.
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