The easy availability of hot water makes our life easier in winter. We use it for making hot drinks, cooking food, washing clothes, etc. But a pleasant experience can soon transform into an unforgettable disaster if the water heater smells like sulfur. It indicates a serious problem with the appliance and demands immediate attention. So how to deal with the hot water heater smell? Should you get help from a professional plumbing company in Costa Mesa? Let’s consider.
A hot water heater sulfur smell can sometimes be gas, not sulfur. If you smell it near a gas water heater or gas line, leave the house right away. Do not touch light switches, flames, or the heater. Once you are outside, call your gas company or SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.
What Are The Reasons Behind a Hot Water Heater Bad Smell?
Poor maintenance
An overwhelming number of individuals use water heaters extensively in winter but ignore their cleaning and maintenance requirements. This creates an ideal environment for the germination of bacteria and minerals and causes an unpleasant smell.
Pipe Corrosion
Remember, corrosion in the water supply pipes can result in bacterial presence and unpleasant smells. Therefore, from time to time, you should examine the overall condition of the water heater installed in your home and act quickly if its pipes are rusting.
Low-quality Water
Contrary to your expectations, water contains multiple pollutants. They might cause a foul smell if not treated regularly. Most often, well water is mixed with lots of impurities and releases an offensive smell.
Accumulation of Sediment
Do you regularly use the water heater but don’t clean it? If yes, sewage accumulates little by little or rapidly, which releases an unpleasant smell.
Anode Rod Issues
Remember, a damaged anode rod often reacts with water and produces hydrogen sulfide gas. It releases a rotten egg smell and causes great discomfort to people.
You Don’t Use the Water Heater Regularly
Many people don’t use water heaters regularly. So, a warm environment in the appliance & left-out water creates a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. If you don’t clean it, it starts releasing an offensive smell.
How to Tell Where a Hot Water Heater Smell Is Coming From?
Before you pick a fix, find out where the smell starts. This test is a good first step, but it would not give you the final answer. Fill a clean glass with cold water, walk away from the sink, and smell it. Do the same with hot water. Try a second faucet, like a bathroom sink or shower. If only the hot water smells, the water heater is the likely source. If hot and cold both smell, the problem may be in your water supply or plumbing. If you have a private well, get the water tested. If just one faucet smells, check that faucet’s aerator and drain.
Effective Tips to Eliminate Sulfur Smell From Hot Water Heater
Flush The Water Heater Occasionally
Remember, the majority of water heaters have tanks to store water for subsequent use. If you don’t use the water heater for a considerable time, the accumulated water in the tank is infected with Sulfur-reducing bacteria, and waste material starts to accumulate. So you should keep flushing the water heater properly at regular intervals (at least once every 90 days) to effectively remove all pollutants.
It will provide you with temporary relief, increase the efficiency of the water heater, and eliminate offensive smell. To eliminate the problem from its root, use our plumbing services in Costa Mesa. Our Professional plumbers will clean the water tank perfectly using appropriate cleaning solutions and fix other issues. It will help the water heater to work properly, and there will be no unpleasant smell.
Consider Installing A Water Filtration System
If you want to eliminate the offensive smell problem permanently, consider installing a water filtration system in your home. It will effectively filter out bacteria and other pollutants and let you have absolutely clean and soft water. Invite our professional plumbing experts to perform this job flawlessly in Huntington Beach & other surrounding areas. They will take care of all the technical aspects of the water filtration installation and keep everything under control.
Replace The Damaged Anode Rod
Modern tank water heaters come with a magnesium anode rod to stop rust formation and decrease the chances of water leaking. Nevertheless, the chemical reaction between the rod and the heating element invites bacteria and releases an offensive smell. The removal of the rod can exacerbate the rusting problem. So, contact our local plumbers in Newport Beach and get the damaged anode rod replaced with a new one.
Install A Tankless Water Heater
You should consider installing a tankless water heater in your home to eliminate a sulfur smell problem in your water permanently. It heats water on demand, and there is no standing water in the tank where bacteria can build up and cause an offensive smell. We offer tankless water heater installation services and surrounding areas. But first, look for the source of the sulfur smell, as it may be related to the internal or external water supply, not the water heater itself.
Already have a tankless unit? Tankless hot water heater maintenance mostly means flushing or descaling the heat exchanger. Many manufacturers suggest doing it about once a year, and more often if your water is hard. Check your manual for the exact steps. If a sulfur smell continues after that, the cause may be your water supply or plumbing, so it is worth having it looked at. Call us at 949.229.7550 if you would like help.
Professional Cleaning & Maintenance
To stop future cases of the sulfur smell, professional cleaning of the water heater is essential. Contact our professional plumbers in Fountain Valley to perform the job flawlessly and eliminate the hot water heater’s bad smell. They remove all pollutants from the appliance, fix leaks, and change damaged spare parts. All of these will stop the bacterial buildup and eliminate the offensive odor.
Should You Invite a Professional Plumber to Fix the Problem
Always keep in mind that modern water heaters are quite complex. They have technologically advanced spare parts and features. You need to understand their working mechanism and potential issues to be able to fix the problem perfectly. Careless handling of the appliance can result in unpleasant situations and damage it completely. Our professional plumbers have complete knowledge of water heaters, and they can perform cleaning and maintenance work flawlessly. It helps to eliminate the problem immediately and make the appliance work like a new one.
If the smell keeps coming back, or you can’t tell where it starts, our water heater repair services can help. We can inspect the tank, check the anode rod, and flush the heater. Not every smelly water heater needs a repair or a replacement, so we look at the cause first. Gas and electrical parts should only be handled by a licensed plumber.
Conclusion
The hot water heater smell causes inconvenience and affects the quality of your life. Don’t tolerate the problem if Parzival Plumbing is always ready to offer the best solutions. Our Knowledgeable plumbers can use different methods to remove the sulfur smell from the water heater and ensure it works smoothly. Use our services once & enjoy a high-quality life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs but my cold water does not?
A hot water heater sulfur smell in only the hot water usually starts inside the tank. The most common cause can be bacteria or a magnesium anode rod. This can be reacting with sulfates in the water. Our plumber can check the tank and anode rod.
Is a hot water heater bad smell harmful?
Usually, it is more of a nuisance than a health risk. If you notice the smell near a gas water heater, leave the house and call your gas company. If it keeps up, we can find the cause.
Why does the hot water heater smell come back after flushing?
Flushing helps clear buildups and some bacteria. But it may not fix the cause. The issue can be the anode rod or your water supply. Our water heater repair services can find out the exact issue and provide the best solutions.
Can a tankless water heater smell like rotten eggs?
It is less likely. In a tankless water heater, there is no tank, so there is no space for bacteria to grow. But if you still smell it, it can be from your water supply. Regular tankless hot water heater maintenance helps, and we can inspect your unit.
Do I need a new water heater if the hot water smells like sulfur?
Not always. If you are experiencing a sulfur like smell, then flushing, disinfecting the tank, or changing the anode rod can be helpful. You can also consider replacement if the smell stays and the heater is leaking or rusting. Call us, and we will check it first.