Bad smell from pipes in apartment, nothing works, what can I do?

Question

moved in 6 months ago to 10th floow apartment and since the beginning there´s a bad smell coming from the kitchen area, getting much worse when the neighbours are cooking. I think the smells are coming up through the pipes but no amount of bleach or drain cleaner makes any difference. The U-bend has been changed recently and plumber says it´s a problem of the building but there must be something we can do!!

Answer 1

I would guess that plumbing pipes are much the same as in the U.S.

The drains are pretty much closed off by the traps which contain water in the J bends to prevent sewer gas from entering the living quarters.

However there are also Vent pipes that allow air into the drain system to prevent the water traps from being siphoned.

Try this: when not using the sinks take a wet rag and plug the drain holes. if it makes a difference then theres a clogged vent line somewhere.

Are there any floor drains in the apartment or out on the balcony? Make sure to pour some water down them--if they are dry then sewer gas will escape from them.

Then after that all i can think of is a cracked vent pipe  or a open vent inside the walls.

Answer 2

I have to ask. When the neighbors are cooking? Could this be a stove vent problem? Like unusual tastes in food vented through an exhaust system gone bad?

Answer 3

Baking soda is an oder nuetralizer. If it gets rid of cat urine oder out of carpets and rugs, it just might solve your problem. At least try it. Arm and Hammer baking soda. You can find it at any store, and its cheap. Hope this helps.  

Answer 4

If you have a garbage disposal,cut up oranges or lemons place them in and chop them up.  May not eliminate odors permanently but at least for a day.  

Answer 5

I've encountered these problems on occasion and the problem was holes around the sink pipes letting the odors from the kitchen below to enter.  The odors travel up thru the walls and enter thru the openings around your pipes or range receptacle.  You might check to see if you have any such openings.  I would seal the holes in both apartments to solve the problem.  

Answer 6

It seems odd.  You say there is a bad smell coming from the pipes, which is always possible, except the "u-bend" (which is actually either a P-Trap or an S-Trap) should always be filled with water, which traps the smells and gasses, preventing them from coming in.  Unless the P-trap is leaking water and thus not preventing gasses from emitting.  Is the smell coming out of the drain or not?

You really need to isolate exactly where the smell is coming from. My guess is that there is something either in the wall, under a cabinet board, or something like that.  

Answer 7

draino is best!!