Water Pipes Smell Like Rotten Eggs? Here's What You Need to Know

If you've ever noticed a pungent, sulfur-like smell coming from your water pipes, you're not alone. This unpleasant odor is often described as smelling like rotten eggs.

The culprit behind this smell is usually a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas in the water. This gas is created when bacteria in the water break down organic matter.

The smell can vary in intensity and may be more noticeable during certain times of the day or after using hot water.

Sulfur bacteria can live in low-oxygen environments like groundwater, wells, plumbing systems, and even your water heater.

These bacteria break down sulfur and create hydrogen sulfide as a byproduct, which can lead to a strong rotten egg odor.

Hydrogen sulfide gas is highly corrosive and can cause taste and odor issues in drinking water.

Just 0.05 milligrams per liter of hydrogen sulfide can have a noticeable taste, and it takes a little more to create the odor – 0.1 milligrams per liter.

Even small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can be a problem because our senses can pick up on very small amounts.

In fact, it's the same as about 1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1,000 gallons of water.

Sulfur bacteria can thrive in warm water environments, like your home's water heater tank, leading to contamination.

This can produce more hydrogen sulfide, which might require working with a professional to permanently raise the water heater's temperature or undertake occasional flushing.

Hydrogen sulfide gas can also occur naturally in the environment when organic matter decays, which might happen in or around your water source.

Finally, hydrogen sulfide gas can be created by some kinds of pollution, although this is rare.

It's essential to get a water test to determine the source of the issue and ensure your water is safe to drink.

The first step in solving the mystery of the rotten egg smell in your water pipes is to identify the source. This involves a simple test: smell the water coming out of your hot and cold water faucets after being away from home for a few hours. If only one faucet has the "rotten egg" odor, you're one step closer to finding the problem.

If you notice a musty smell of rotten eggs, sulfur, or rotten sewage coming from your taps, it's likely an issue of bacterial growth in your water pipes. To rule out a clogged drain, pour a glass and take it away from the sink to take a whiff. If it doesn't smell, then you have a much easier task on your hands.

Hot water heaters are also known to grow sulfur bacteria, so test both hot and cold taps separately. If the smell is only present when the hot tap is on, the issue is likely in the water heater, specifically with the magnesium heating rod in the tank.

The first step in identifying the source of a rotten egg smell in your water is to determine which faucets are affected. Smell the water coming out of the hot and cold water faucets after you've been away from your home for a few hours to see if any of them have the "rotten egg" odor.

If you notice a musty smell, it's essential to rule out that the smell is coming from your drain, not your tap. Drains tend to develop a sewage-like stench when food waste, hair, soap, and other deposits build up on the drain walls.

To test this, pour a glass of water and take it away from the sink to take a whiff. If it doesn't smell, then you have a much easier task on your hands. Make sure to flush and clean your drains to remove the unpleasant smell.

If you still get a whiff of sulfur after isolating from the sink, it's time to investigate further. Here are some common areas to check:

By following these steps, you'll be one step closer to identifying the source of the rotten egg smell in your water.

Hydrogen sulfide gas can be a serious concern, especially if you have well water. Consuming water with this gas won't usually harm you, but it can harm your plumbing and fixtures over time by producing slime and other bacteria that can create clogs.

If you live in a home with well water, you may be familiar with the smell of hydrogen sulfide gas. It's a sign that sulfate or sulfur bacteria are present in your water. This gas can also indicate that your water line has been contaminated by sewage.

Hydrogen sulfide gas in the air can be particularly hazardous at high levels. Venting the gas to the atmosphere is one way to prevent it from collecting in low-lying spaces or enclosed areas.

If your water pipes smell like rotten eggs, it's likely coming from one of a few potential sources.

A bad odor coming from the water heater or plumbing system could indicate that your pipes need to be cleaned. If these systems are not properly maintained, they can produce a sulfur smell in water.

The water heater is a common breeding ground for sulfur bacteria, thanks to its warm environment and magnesium anode.

A bad odor coming from the water heater or plumbing system could indicate that your pipes need to be cleaned. If these systems are not properly maintained, they can produce a sulfur smell in water.

Neglecting to clean your pipes can lead to the buildup of bacteria and other contaminants that cause unpleasant odors. In fact, the plumbing system is a common culprit behind sulfur smells in water.

If you suspect that your plumbing system is the source of the issue, it's best to contact your local plumber rather than tackle the problem on your own. They have the expertise and equipment to properly diagnose and fix the issue.

Regular maintenance of your plumbing system can go a long way in preventing sulfur smells in water. By staying on top of cleaning and inspections, you can avoid costly repairs and keep your water fresh and clean.

Disinfecting the well is a crucial step in removing sulfur bacteria, and you can hire a licensed well contractor to do this or refer to the Well Disinfection webpage for instructions.

Sulfur bacteria can be difficult to remove once established in a well, so pre-work may be necessary, especially if there are also iron bacteria.

Scrubbing the well casing, using special treatment chemicals, and agitating the water before disinfection can help with this pre-work.

Contact a licensed well contractor to do this pre-work if you're unsure about how to proceed.