Although many are familiar with the scent, no one likes the rotten smell you sometimes pick up on as you run the hot water in your house. Whether it’s only every now and then, or every single time you run the hot water, the sewage type smell you may be noticing is unpleasant and repulsive, meaning you won’t want anything to do with it. We at Solution Based Plumbing, Heating and A/C understand how annoying and gross this may be, which is why we want homeowners to know why your hot water smells like sewage, and how to fix it.
What’s Causing the Smell?
If you’re running the hot water in your house and start to notice some foul smells coming from the same area, you might be thinking there are rotten eggs in your water heater! However, as gross as the smell may be, it’s probably not rotten eggs (at least we hope not.) Instead, that distinct smell is the product of certain bacteria that inevitably ends up in your hot water tank and reproduces. As this bacteria reproduces and feeds on the stainless steel in your water heater, it releases a gas known as hydrogen sulfide. Otherwise known as sewer gas, hydrogen sulfide is what causes that distinct and unpleasant smell. It is important to note that the longer your water heater sits idle, the easier it is for the bacteria in there to reproduce, inevitably producing more hydrogen sulfide, and the stinkier your hot water may become.
How to Fix it
The first and most common way to go about getting rid of that putrid smell is to flush and drain your water heater. This will help clear out any abundance of bacteria that may be in your water. Be sure to refill the heater, let it run its cycle and repeat the process a few times for the best results. If the smell remains, you could also try adding a little bit of bleach or white vinegar to go along with your refill and flush procedure.
If that doesn’t seem to be working, it may be time for a new anode rod. An anode rod is a thin metallic rod made up of magnesium that attracts and neutralizes the sulfite ions and bacteria, slowing their reproduction. These anode rods should be replaced every 3-5 years, and the sewage smell may be a good sign that it’s time for a new one.
Trust SBPHA/C with Quality Plumbing
The “sewage water” smell you get when you run your hot water is something no one wants to experience. For not only your piece of mind, but also your well-being, it is important to try and get rid of the smell, and the problem, as quickly as possible. We at Solution Based Plumbing, Heating and A/C completely understand the burdens of trying to solve these kinds of plumbing issues, especially if the DIY tips don’t seem to be working. If you’ve tried the solutions above and are still experiencing that foul, “rotten egg” type smell, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We have the right knowledge, training and tools to make sure you get rid of that smell for good.