Should I call a plumber if my water smells like rotten eggs?

To get rid of the bad odor, you'll want to contact a plumber to flush and disinfect your tank. Doing so will remove the bacteria and particles that create hydrogen sulfide. During a water heater flush, a plumber can replace your anode rod if it is corroded to prevent the smell in the future.

What to do if my water smells like rotten eggs?

Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for several hours. This will destroy the sulfur bacteria. Flushing to remove the dead bacteria after treatment should control the odor problem.

Can a plumber fix smelly water?

Professional plumbers may use industrial water jetters, snake augers, and pipe camera equipment to find and fix the cause of your drain smell. An experienced plumber can remove the clog at its source so you can enjoy a clear drain again.

Can I shower if my water smells like rotten eggs?

You can breathe easy (metaphorically speaking) because water with hydrogen sulfide is still safe to drink and bathe in – it's just going to smell bad. However, the odor of hydrogen sulfide can be similar to that from sewage or other contaminants, which can be pose health risks.

Who do you call for a rotten egg smell?

Rotten Egg Smell

Call your plumber immediately to fix the issue. You might have heard that rotten eggs indicate a natural gas leak and that the smell means you should evacuate and call 911.

Does your hot water smell like rotten eggs? Here is the fix.

How do I fix smelly tap water?

Disinfecting, cleaning and flushing the drain should eliminate the odor. The reservoir/pressure tank may also be the source of such an odor. Cleaning and maintaining the reservoir/ pressure tank periodically can prevent bacteria from growing to levels that cause odor in the water.

Why does my water smell like rotten eggs in one bathroom?

If your water smells like rotten eggs, that likely indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas. This could be due to a problem with your water heater or naturally occurring sulfur bacteria, especially in well water. These issues can produce hydrogen sulfide, which leaves an unpleasant scent wherever it goes.

Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs but not my cold water?

Although there are several reasons why you have rotten egg smell in your hot water, the most common cause is the sulfur bacteria (SRB) in the hot water tank. They feed on sulfur and produce hydrogen sulfide gas as waste. When the gas dissolves in the water, it gives it that characteristic odor of spoiled eggs.

Does sulfur water damage hair?

Cincotta also notes that sulfur will not damage hair, so there is no need to avoid it. "If hair is healthy and undamaged the sulfur will not find damaged areas in the hair and will rinse out," he says.

Can water that smells like sulfur make you sick?

Sulfur is common in drinking water and is usually safe. For some people, it may cause diarrhea and dehydration. Babies are most likely to get diarrhea from sulfur in the water. Your body may adjust over time to sulfur and symptoms may stop.

How long does it take for smelly water to go away?

If the hot water heater is the source, you can try turning up the temperature for 24 hours and running hot water to kill and flush out the bacteria from the pipes. Just remember to use caution because you could accidentally scald yourself while the water is coming out hotter.

Why does my water smell bad from one faucet?

There are three main reasons for the sulfur smell in one faucet; bacteria in the water heater, bacteria in the water supply, or bacteria in the drainage. If it's the lattermost, you're likely to experience this particular odor when you're near a particular faucet.

Will a water softener remove sulfur smell?

Ordinary household water softeners do not remove sulfur odors from water. In fact, softeners easily become fouled or clogged, reducing their softening capacity.

How do I fix the sulfur smell in my shower?

This can be remedied by disinfecting the tank and adding one gallon of household bleach for every 1,000 gallons of water. You may also need to disinfect the well. A common cause of these odours is contaminated water softeners, so replace the filter to fix this issue.

Is sulfur water OK to drink?

Drinking sulfur water can cause diarrhea and it may lead to eventual dehydration which can be dangerous. So, there are no health benefits to drinking sulfur water and it can harm you and your plumbing system.

Will running hot water get rid of smell?

Remove this terrible smell from your drinking water by: Run the water faucet for a few minutes and the odor should disappear.

Why does my shower hot water smell like rotten eggs?

The reason your water probably smells like rotten eggs is because it contains some traces of hydrogen sulfide. Even extremely small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can cause your water to have quite the odorous smell! In most cases this smell occurs due to a build-up of hydrogen sulfide in your hot water heater.

Why does my house suddenly smell like rotten eggs?

This smell is probably septic gas, unless you have a carton of eggs hiding in your living room. Septic gas has a strong, naturally occurring odor that smells like rotten eggs. The smell is hydrogen sulfide, which comes from sewage and indicates a potential issue with your plumbing.

Why does my faucet water smell like sulfur?

Both hot and cold water smells like sulfur: If the odor is present in both your hot and cold water, the most common cause is the presence of hydrogen sulfide in your water supply. Essentially, sulfur bacteria create hydrogen sulfide gas as a result of feeding on sulfates in the water.

Is it safe to drink tap water that smells?

These aesthetic characteristics usually don't pose a public health threat and, in most cases, they don't last long. However, a sudden change in the color, taste or odor of your tap water could indicate a public health concern. We don't recommend that anyone drink water that looks, smells or tastes objectionable.

How do I stop my smelly pipes from smelling?

How much does it cost to remove sulfur smell from water?

Use 3 pints of chlorine bleach for every 100 gallons. But you may want to double this amount if you have a really bad odor problem. The odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide, which tends to neutralize chlorine. Fill the water tank, and be sure it's pressurized.

How much bleach does it take to get rid of sulfur smell?

Start off using 3 gallons of bleach, and if that doesn't work add another 3 to 5 gallons or enough to kill the bacteria. Do not use pool bleach or stronger industrial bleach products.

Can bad faucet water make you sick?

Tap water sometimes gets contaminated with germs and chemicals at high enough levels to make you sick. Learn how public water and private wells get contaminated and how to find out if your water has unsafe levels of germs or chemicals.

Why does my bathroom water smell like sewer?

Your water smells of sewage due to bacteria in your drainpipe producing gases that arise when the faucet is turned on. Hydrogen sulfide is the gas most likely to cause this sewage smell.