# Why is my drain slow or why do I smell sewer gas?

_Slow drains and sewer smell_

A slow drain or a sewer smell can be a simple fix or an early warning of a bigger sewer line problem. The key is figuring out whether it's **one fixture** or **the whole house**.

## One slow drain

If only one sink, tub or shower is slow, the clog is usually close to that drain:

- **Bathroom sinks and showers:** hair and soap scum
- **Kitchen sinks:** grease, food scraps and coffee grounds
- **Tubs:** hair, plus hard water scale narrowing older pipes

**Try first:** remove and clean the stopper or drain cover, use a plunger, or use a simple drain snake. **Avoid chemical drain cleaners.** They can damage older pipes, rarely clear the clog fully, and make the job harder and less safe if a plumber has to open the line.

## Several drains slow or backing up

This usually points to the **main sewer line** rather than a single clog. Warning signs:

- The lowest drains in the home (basement floor drain or shower) back up first
- A toilet gurgles or bubbles when the washer drains or another fixture runs
- Water backs up into a tub when you flush
- Slow drains throughout the house at once

Common causes in older Wasatch Front neighborhoods include **tree roots**, a **belly** (sagging section) in the line, and **cracked or collapsed pipe**. **Stop using water** and call a plumber. Running more water can push sewage back into the home.

## Sewer smell inside the home

- **Dry trap:** floor drains and unused showers lose the water seal that blocks sewer gas. Run water for a minute to refill it.
- **Toilet wax ring:** a failing seal at the base of the toilet, often with a wobbly toilet
- **Vent problems:** a blocked or damaged plumbing vent
- **Cracked drain or sewer pipe**

A persistent sewer smell shouldn't be ignored.

## How Aireo helps

We find the cause instead of just clearing the clog. Our licensed plumbers use **drain snaking, hydro jetting and sewer camera inspection**, so you can see what's happening in the line. For damaged sewer lines, we offer repair and **trenchless pipe lining** as an alternative to digging up the yard.

Our plumbing dispatch fee is **$29**, applied toward any repair you approve. New customers get **$50 off their first plumbing service** (see [specials](/specials/)). You get a written quote before any work begins.

See [drain cleaning](/services/drain-cleaning/) and [sewer repair](/services/sewer-repair/), or call [(385) 324-7301](tel:+13853247301). Phones are answered 24/7.

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Source: https://www.aireohome.com/knowledge/slow-drain-sewer-smell/
Updated: 2026-10-22T16:24:33Z