Why Your Sink Smells Bad — And How to Get Rid of It

You walk into your kitchen, and something just smells… off.
You light a candle. You take out the trash. Still there.

Chances are, it’s coming from your sink drain — and no, it’s not just because of last night’s dinner. At UPR, we get calls across Toronto every week about smelly sinks that refuse to stay fresh.

The truth is: if your sink smells, something is rotting, trapped, or dry down below.

Let’s walk through why it happens, and how to stop it from coming back.

What Causes the Sink Stink?

There are a few usual suspects:

• Built-up organic waste (like grease, coffee grounds, food particles, hair, or soap scum) stuck inside the P-trap or pipe walls

• Dry traps in rarely used bathrooms or seasonal kitchens

• Bacteria and biofilm that thrive in warm, wet environments

• Or worse — a venting or sewer gas issue that’s pulling odor back into the house

Whatever the cause, the smell means something’s not draining or sealing properly — and it won’t go away with an air freshener.

What UPR Does Differently

First, we identify where the smell is coming from — whether it’s a dry trap, a blocked vent, or heavy bio sludge in the drain. Then we clean it out fully using safe, professional tools (no chemical bombs that wreck your pipes).

If the problem runs deeper — like a broken pipe or vent issue — we’ll show you the fix with full transparency and zero pressure.

The best part? Once we’re done, it stays clean. And you’ll know how to keep it that way.

Toronto Homeowners: Here’s a Tip to Prevent Sink Smells

Once a week, pour a pot of warm (not boiling) water mixed with dish soap down the drain. It helps loosen grease and pushes waste past the trap.

And if that doesn’t work? You know who to call.

Call 647-833-6743

Contact UPR

If your sink stinks and makes you frown — UPR will clean it down!
Serving Toronto & the GTA with safe, smart, smell-stopping drain service.