Whatsapp Instagram Youtube Facebook Tiktok
CALL NOW: 023 8251 5737
portsmouth drains24 logo

Smelly Drains in Portsmouth — Why Winter Makes It Worse

Illustration showing smelly drains in Portsmouth during winter with grease buildup, blocked vents, stagnant water and cold weather effects on drainage systems

Table of Contents

Unpleasant drain smells often become more noticeable during colder months. Many Portsmouth homeowners assume a temporary blockage is to blame. However, winter conditions change how drainage systems behave underground, which makes odours stronger and more persistent.

Understanding why this happens helps prevent larger problems developing unnoticed.

Why Drain Smells Increase in Winter

Several seasonal factors affect drainage systems.

1. Reduced Water Flow

During winter, households use less outdoor water, which means drains flush less frequently. Consequently, organic matter builds up inside pipes. Over time, bacteria break this down and release foul-smelling gases.

2. Temperature Changes

Cold air increases condensation inside pipework. This moisture mixes with waste residue and amplifies odours, especially when ventilation traps do not seal properly.

3. Blocked Vents

Drainage systems rely on vent pipes to release sewer gases safely above roof level. However, leaves, debris, or even bird nests can block vents. When this happens, smells escape through indoor drains instead.

4. Partial Blockages

Grease and fat solidify faster in colder temperatures. Therefore, build-up forms more quickly in kitchen pipes, restricting flow and creating stagnant areas where smells develop.

Common Warning Signs

Drain smells often appear alongside other subtle symptoms:

• Slow draining sinks or baths
• Gurgling noises from plugholes
• Water levels fluctuating in toilets
• Odours strongest in the morning or evening

Because these signs indicate restricted airflow or trapped waste, ignoring them can lead to full blockages.

Why the Smell Should Not Be Ignored

Although unpleasant odours seem minor, they indicate that gases cannot vent correctly. Over time, pressure increases in the system. Eventually, this can force waste back through traps, cause leaks at joints, or worsen structural pipe damage.

Early intervention prevents costly emergency callouts later.

How Professionals Fix Winter Drain Odours

Drain Jetting

High-pressure water jetting removes grease, residue, and sediment, restoring proper flow.

CCTV Surveys

A camera inspection identifies hidden blockages, collapsed pipes, or venting problems.

Trap & Vent Checks

Engineers ensure traps contain water seals and vent stacks are clear.

Descaling

In older pipes, mineral deposits narrow internal diameter. Removing this restores airflow.

How Homeowners Can Reduce Risk

Although professional help may be required, simple habits reduce odours:

• Run hot water through kitchen drains regularly
• Avoid pouring fats or oils down sinks
• Check external gully covers for debris
• Book routine inspections before winter

Preventative care keeps airflow balanced and reduces gas build-up.

When to Call an Expert

If smells persist after cleaning, a structural issue is likely. A blocked vent, cracked pipe, or sagging section may be present underground. Addressing the cause early protects the home and avoids winter drainage emergencies.

FAQs

Why do drains smell worse when it’s cold?

Cold temperatures slow water flow and increase grease build-up, which creates stagnant areas where bacteria produce stronger odours.

Are smelly drains dangerous?

Persistent sewer gas exposure can affect air quality indoors, so the issue should be resolved promptly.

Can I fix drain smells myself?

Surface cleaning helps, but recurring smells often require jetting or inspection to fix underlying faults.

Does a CCTV survey find the cause of odours?

Yes, it reveals blockages, venting issues, and structural defects inside pipes.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

  • 24 hour drain unblocking 24 hour drainage portsmouth 24/7 callouts 24/7 Drain Services 24/7 Emergency Plumbing Affordable Drain Services bathroom drains blocked drain portsmouth Blocked Drains blocked drains Guildford Blocked Drains Portsmouth blocked drains waterlooville blocked sinks buchan trap Buchan trap replacement building over manholes Building Regulations burst water main Portsmouth cctv bournemouth CCTV Diagnostics CCTV drain camera CCTV Drain Inspection CCTV Drain Inspections CCTV drain inspections Guildford CCTV Drain Survey CCTV drain survey Guildford CCTV drain survey Portsmouth CCTV Drain Surveys cctv drain surveys guildford cctv drain surveys portsmouth cctv drainage survey kingston upon thames cctv drainage survey Portsmouth cctv inspections cctv survey cctv survey portsmouth Chemical Drain Cleaners Christmas 2024 christmas drain problems CIPP Lining CIPP lining Portsmouth CIPP patch repair cipp relining CIPP repairs Clogged Drains combined sewers commercial drain problems Commercial Drain Solutions Commercial Drainage commercial drainage in portsmouth commercial drainage Portsmouth commercial kitchen drainage Cosham Cosham drainage cracked drain pipes Customer Service damaged drains damp prevention Denmead descaling Drain Blockages Drain Cleaning drain cleaning hampshire Drain Cleaning Portsmouth Drain Cleaning Services Drain Clearance drain clearance in portsmouth Drain Clearance Portsmouth Drain Descaling drain experts drain flooding Drain Inspection drain inspection portsmouth Drain Inspections Drain Installation drain insurance Drain Issues Drain Issues Portsmouth Drain Jetting drain jetting portsmouth drain lining drain lining cost drain lining Portsmouth Drain Maintenance drain maintenance Guildford drain maintenance tips drain mapping drain misuse drain odours drain ownership drain pest control drain protection Drain Rat Stoppers Drain Relining Drain Repair Drain Repair Portsmouth Drain Repair Services Drain Repair Specialists Drain Repairs drain repairs Guildford Drain Repairs Portsmouth drain repairs southsea drain repairs Waterlooville drain replacement Drain Rodding Drain Services drain solutions Drain Survey drain survey portsmouth drain surveys Fratton Drain Unblocking drain unblocking Guildford Drain Unblocking Portsmouth Drain Unblocking Southampton drainage company Guildford drainage diagnostics drainage emergencies Drainage Experts Drainage Inspection drainage inspections drainage inspections portsmouth Drainage Installations Drainage Issues drainage liability Drainage Maintenance Drainage Materials drainage portsmouth Drainage Repair Farnham Drainage Repairs drainage responsibility Drainage Services drainage services hampshire drainage services portsmouth drainage smells Drainage Solutions Drainage System Maintenance drainage system types Drainage System Upgrade Drainage Systems drainage works kingston upon thames drainage works Portsmouth Drains24 Drains24 Portsmouth Eco-Friendly Drain Solutions Eco-Friendly Solutions Emergency Drain Repair Emergency Drain Repairs emergency drain service emergency drain service fratton Emergency Drain Services Emergency Drain Solutions emergency drain unblocking Emergency Drain Unblocking Portsmouth emergency drainage emergency drainage Guildford emergency drainage Portsmouth emergency drainage service emergency plumbing portsmouth Emergency Plumbing Services Emergency Services Environmental Compliance Environmental Impact Environmental Protection Enzymatic Cleaners Enzyme Drain Cleaners Fareham Drain Maintenance Fareham Drainage Fareham Drains Farnham Plumbing fatbergs festive cooking drains Flood Prevention flooding prevention foul water pipes Foundation Protection Fratton French Drains garden drainage Gosport Drainage Gosport Drainage Solutions grease build-up grease in drains Grease Trap Cleaning grease trap problems Guildford drain services gully issues Havant Drainage Hayling Island Drainage Hayling Island Drains HDPE Pipes heavy rain drainage High Pressure Jetting high pressure jetting fratton high pressure water jetting High-Pressure Jetting High-Pressure Water Jetting hilsea drainage HMO drainage problems Holiday Drain Services home drainage maintenance Home Improvement home insurance drainage Home Maintenance homebuyer drain survey portsmouth homebuyer drainage survey Homeowner Guide Homeowner Responsibilities Homeowner Tips Hydro Jetting interceptor trap removal kitchen drain blockage kitchen drain problems kitchen drains Landscaping Lee-on-Solent Drainage Lee-on-Solent Drains Local Business Local Drain Specialists local drain specialists Guildford Local Drainage Experts Local Plumbing Local Plumbing Services local soakaway installation Local Water Companies manhole maintenance portsmouth manhole regulations UK manhole repairs Modern Drainage Solutions new drainage installation no call-out fee drainage No-Dig Drain Repair no-dig solutions Non-Dig Technology north end drainage outdoor drains outside drains overflowing drains Pest Control pipe blockages pipe cleaning Pipe Damage pipe rehabilitation Pipe Relining Pipe Repair Options Pitch Fibre Drain Repairs Pitch Fibre Drainage pitch fibre drains pitch fibre pipe pitch fibre pipes Pitch Fibre Repairs Plumbing Plumbing Alternatives plumbing issues Plumbing Services Plumbing Solutions Plumbing Tips Portchester Drainage Portsmouth Portsmouth business drainage portsmouth drain repair Portsmouth Drainage Portsmouth drainage experts Portsmouth Drainage Services Portsmouth Drainage Solutions portsmouth drainage survey Portsmouth Drains Portsmouth Drains24 Portsmouth homes Portsmouth Plumbing Power Jetting pre-purchase survey portsmouth Preventative Care Preventative Tips Professional Drain Services Professional Plumbing Professional Service Property Maintenance Property Management Protect Property Value PVC Pipes Rat Control rat stopper for drains rat stoppers guildford replacement drains Residential Drain Repairs Residential Drainage Residential Services restaurant drain cleaning restaurant drainage Portsmouth Restaurant Plumbing Rodding Services rodent in drains Rodent Prevention rodent prevention drains root damage drainage root damage drains root intrusion fixes root intrusion portsmouth Root Removal scale removal Septic Tank Installation Septic Tanks shared drains shopping centre drainage Slow Draining Sinks slow drains smelly drains portsmouth Soakaway Inspection Soakaway Installation soakaway installation portsmouth Soakaway Problems Fratton Sodium Hydroxide Southampton Drainage Services southsea blocked toilet Southsea Drain Services Southsea Drainage sports centre drainage student housing plumbing student let maintenance Sulfuric Acid summer drain issues summer drainage issues surface water drainage surface water drains surface water flooding Sustainable Drainage Sustainable Plumbing terrace drainage tree root damage portsmouth Tree Root Intrusion Tree Root Intrusions tree root removal trenchless drain repair trenchless lining trenchless pipe repair Trenchless Technology UK Drainage unblocking services Unpleasant Odors uPVC Drainage uPVC Pipes victorian drainage warehouse drainage Portsmouth Wastewater Management Water Backups water company drains water damage water main damage laws Water Management Waterlooville Plumbers winter damp winter drain care winter drain maintenance winter drain problems winter drainage winter flooding