Help! My Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs: The Causes and How to Get Rid of This Foul Odor

The last thing you want your water to smell like is rotten eggs! Both bathrooms and kitchens are the usual water sources in our homes. They also have their moments of associated smells. But if no one has been in the bathroom for a while and if nothing's cooking in the kitchen, these home areas probably shouldn't have an aroma like rotten eggs. This rotten egg smell is, of course, not normal and is a sign of a problem.

Fortunately, this problem shouldn't be too hard to fix. This article will help you understand the causes behind this smell and how to get rid of it.

Why does my house smell like eggs?

Sulfur is notorious for having a rotten egg-like smell caused by high levels of sulfur bacteria. These microorganisms can metabolize sulfur and its compounds, and they play an essential role in geology. But they do not belong in your home.

These bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide, which is what produces the nasty smell. This is also what causes water coming out of a tap to smell like rotten eggs.

In some cases, the rotten smell will only come out while using the hot water tap. But this is a sign of a bigger problem inside a water heater and should be addressed by a professional plumbing expert.

The pitfalls of hydrogen sulfide

As we stated, hydrogen sulfide is the compound to blame for that rotten egg smell. However, the foul odor isn't the only problem here. The smell is a sign that there might be something wrong with a home's tap water as well. The compound in question can lead to plumbing fixture damage and pipe corrosion, which can further lead to severe moisture and leakage problems that can build up over time and cause severe structural damage.

However, consuming and bathing in hydrogen sulfide-rich water is safe. Still, various other contaminants can mimic this smell, and those can be hazardous, so it's still a problem to address.

Getting rid of the odor

As previously mentioned, if the rotten smell is only present when the hot water is running, do not try to fix the water heater alone. You should only attempt a fix if you are an experienced plumber. Therefore, referring the job to experts is always recommended.

If this scent is present in all water temperatures, check to see if this is the case with the untreated water in the water softener. If only the treated water has this rotten-egg smell, the problem is within the softener. Again, have this appliance serviced by a professional.

If the cold, hot, treated, and untreated water all have the rotten-egg smell, the groundwater problem calls for extensive repairs. Therefore, make sure that the water is tested before proceeding to pay for a huge excavation.

Getting rid of hydrogen sulfide

If there's a rotten-egg smell in your home's water supply, the chances are that you won't be able to take care of it alone. Contact a reputable, experienced professional and have your water system inspected.

No Worries Rooter of Gilbert offers residential and commercial drain cleaning, leak detection and repair. We recommend Bio-Green drain care for customers who have slow drains caused by buildup in their pipes. Call us at (480) 405-4497.