Whether your water line has been compromised or your water heater is the culprit behind the foul odor, the last thing any homeowner wants is undrinkable water. Foul-smelling water is unpleasant and can make you hesitant to use your water for drinking, cooking, or even bathing.
Keep reading to learn why your faucet water smells, what the cause of it may be, and how you can restore your water supply as quickly as possible. Understanding the problem is the first step to fixing it.
The Root of the Smell
Most of the time, foul-smelling water is caused by an issue relating to your water heater. Often the anaerobic bacteria that sometimes exists in water reacts poorly to sulfur, aluminum, and magnesium sacrificial anodes, all of which are found in the rod that’s screwed into the top of the tank.
This produces hydrogen sulfide gas, which is responsible for producing a foul-smelling odor, often compared to rotten eggs. The smell can be strong and unpleasant, making your water unappealing to use.
The sacrificial anode rod in your water heater is designed to protect the tank from corrosion. However, when it reacts with certain bacteria in your water, it can create this unpleasant smell. Replacing the anode rod with a different type can often solve the problem.
A Quick DIY Fix
Fortunately, there’s a fast, cheap, easy, and environmentally safe fix when your water heater is stinking. It won’t solve the problem forever, but it can give you relief from the smell until one of our Air Services plumbers can take care of the problem permanently.
First, shut off the cold water valve that is connected to the water heater. Then, you’ll need to turn on the hot water somewhere in your house to relieve some of the pressure in the tank. This helps make the next steps safer and easier.
Next, disconnect the metal hose and pour hydrogen peroxide into the opening, using a funnel to prevent spillage. You should pour in about a cup of peroxide for every ten gallons of hot water the tank holds. For example, if you have a fifty-gallon tank, you should pour in five cups of peroxide.
Reconnect the metal hose and turn the cold water valve back on to refill your tank. The hydrogen peroxide will kill the bacteria responsible for the foul smell, giving you a temporary break from the odor.
This is a temporary solution that will need to be repeated periodically. For a permanent fix, you’ll want to call a professional plumber who can replace the anode rod or address the underlying issue.
Avoiding Future Water Smells
Unfortunately, if this has happened once, you’ll likely face the problem again. The bacteria that cause the smell can return, especially if the underlying cause isn’t addressed. That’s why it’s important to have a professional fix the problem permanently.
At Air Services in Springfield, MO, our licensed plumbers have years of experience working with water heaters, and each has the knowledge necessary to ensure that this never happens again. We can provide a thorough inspection of your water heater to properly diagnose the problem, and we’ll fix the issue so that you can enjoy fresh water without the offensive smell.
We’ll check your anode rod and replace it if necessary. We’ll also inspect your water heater for other potential issues that could cause problems down the road. Our goal is to fix the problem permanently, not just temporarily.
Other Causes of Water Odors
While water heater issues are the most common cause of foul-smelling water, there are other potential causes you should be aware of. Understanding these can help you identify the problem more quickly.
If your water smells like chlorine, this is usually from the municipal water treatment process. While it’s not harmful, it can be unpleasant. A water filtration system can help remove the chlorine taste and smell.
If your water has a musty or earthy smell, it could be from algae or bacteria in your water source. This is more common with well water but can also occur with municipal water in certain conditions.
If your water smells like metal or has a metallic taste, it could be from old pipes or high mineral content in your water. This is usually not harmful but can be unpleasant.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, our plumbers can help identify the cause and recommend the best solution. Sometimes the fix is simple, while other times it may require more extensive work.
When to Call a Professional
If the DIY fix doesn’t work, or if the smell returns quickly, it’s time to call a professional. Our plumbers at Air Services have the tools and expertise to identify and fix the problem permanently.
We’ll inspect your water heater thoroughly and check for any other potential issues. We can replace the anode rod, clean the tank if necessary, and make sure everything is working properly.