Most people remember the obvious chores before leaving for vacation: lock the doors, empty the trash, adjust the thermostat, and double-check travel documents. But one small area of the home is easy to miss, and it can affect how fresh your house feels when you walk back in: the sinks.
Kitchen and bathroom drains may not seem important when you are packing bags or confirming hotel bookings, but they can become noticeable when a home sits unused for several days. A little preparation before you leave can help reduce stale smells and discourage small moisture-loving insects from lingering around drains.
Why Sinks Can Smell After You’ve Been Away
Every sink drain is part of a plumbing system designed to move wastewater out of the home while helping keep sewer gases from entering living spaces. When sinks are used regularly, water and routine cleaning help keep the area fresher.
When a house is empty for days or weeks, especially in warm weather, odors around drains may become more noticeable. Damp spots near sinks can also attract small insects such as gnats or ants in some homes.