Our bathroom sink overflow is driving me crazy with the awful smell.

I know it gets contaminated through regular drainage rather than overflow drainage. If I don’t clean it out at least once a week, foul smelling crud accumulates in the overflow slot.

I’ve changed the drain assembly 2x. I’ve disinfected it, used hospital-grade cleaners, hot water, vinegar. Nothing helps unless I clean the accumulated sludge, and I can’t figure out why it’s accumulating in the first place.

Should I plug the overflow slow? Tape over it? Is it the sink design that’s defective? I’m at a loss.

  • The Pantser@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    You may have a drain that is draining too slow which is causing a backup into the overflow. If you turn the water on full blast does the drain keep up? If it’s not keeping up you need to figure out why.

    • clearedtoland@lemmy.worldOP
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      3 months ago

      🤯 you just blew my mind with that possibility.

      When I put the pop-up stopper in, the drain flows much slower than without it. And! Without the pop-up stopper installed, I’ve never had the smell or slime. I hadn’t put two and two together.

      I guess what threw me is that it’s happened with two separate (but similar) drain assemblies. Maybe I’ll try installing a grid style assembly. That might do the trick.

      Thank you so much! I’ve been trying to solve this mystery for well over a year.

      • AlecSadler@sh.itjust.works
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        3 months ago

        I just want to say this interaction made me happy and I’m glad to have witnessed it. It’s been a shit day and this cheered me up (a little).