What Does It Mean If Your Drains Smell After Heavy Rains?
The UK is no stranger to heavy rains, and while we may be used to the weather, our drains aren’t always up to the job.
In 2026, it’s already rained for 40 consecutive days in some places, causing all kinds of issues.
One of those issues can be making your drains pong, and here’s why:
Heavy Rain Overwhelms Drainage Systems
Intense rainfall can overload local drainage networks, forcing air and sewer gases back through your household drains. When water levels rise quickly, the normal drainage flow is disrupted, allowing foul smells to rise up through your sinks, showers, or outdoor drains.
Excess Wastewater and Old Drainage Systems
With frequent heavy rain, saturated ground can prevent wastewater from draining away efficiently. Many of the UK’s drainage systems are also older and may be damaged or decaying due to wear and tear. Because of this, they struggle to cope with sudden volumes of water, causing trapped debris, grease, or waste to release strong odours as pressure builds within the pipes.
Rather than digging up your drains to identify age damage, you can book a CCTV drain survey Leicester from a company like https://www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/leicester, or for other parts of the UK. This helps to identify where the issue is and to see what’s causing it.
Blocked or Partially Blocked Drains
Rain can wash leaves, mud, and debris into your drains, creating or worsening blockages.
When waste can’t flow freely, it begins to decompose inside the pipes, producing unpleasant smells that are often most noticeable after rainfall.
