Some things are meant to be mysteries. To us at Rostron Premium Home Services, water quality should not be one of them. Water is used throughout your home for washing dishes and clothes, watering plants, and showering. A question our licensed plumbers are often asked is…
Why does my water smell?
We’re glad you asked, but there are actually a few reasons why your water could have an odor, ranging from contaminants in your water to issues with drainage. Let’s take a look at some common scenarios that smelly water might indicate.
My Water Smells When…
… I Run Hot Water Only
It’s a very common predicament. If there are no less-than-pleasant scents when running cold water, chances are the issue is in your water heater. Minerals and sediment often build up over time, leading to odors when the hot water is dispensed throughout your home.
Don’t worry, though! Depending on the age and condition of your water heater, you may be able to flush the unit, eliminating both the sediment and smells that come along with it.
… Any Liquid Goes Down My Drain
There is a trap under your sink that is meant to keep the smells of the sewer from coming up. However, it can often breed clogs with build up of hair or oil. After these partial blockages are created, anything put down the drain will get stuck and the smells will begin. Rotting food, toothpaste, and even soap can start to have an unpleasant odor when frequently hit with water.
The best thing you can start with is dumping a bit of baking soda down the drain, followed by the vinegar. Afterward about a minute or so, dump some hot water down the drain to flush everything out. If you’re still having issues, we recommend calling a plumber to assist in cleaning out the drain.
… I Run Any Water (Hot or Cold)
If you’ve determined that the issue is not the drain and the water itself, you may have a different issue entirely. There is likely some sort of contaminant that is contributing to the smell you are experiencing.
There are a number of impurities within water and each have their own solution. Let’s take a look at some of the common culprits.
My Water Smells Like…
A Pool Party (Chlorine)
Chlorine is one of the most common impurities within water, as most water companies use it as a disinfectant. These companies will pull water from wells, lakes, streams, and reservoirs to supply your home with water. After completing a comprehensive test to see what could be dangerous, like bacteria, they determine how many hundreds of gallons of liquid chlorine needs to be added to neutralize it.
While chlorine is safer for humans to consume and interact with than harmful bacteria, it still isn’t the best option. The ability for harmful bacteria to grow cut down drastically, almost to zero, after it arrives in your home. Adding a whole-house filtration system or even a point-of-use like Reverse Osmosis for drinking water is the best way to pull chlorine from the water.
Rotten Eggs (Sulfur)
It is certainly more common for homes supplied by well water to have sulfur in the water, but not impossible within city water supplied homes. Sulfur in water often leads to staining and corrosion of pipes and water heaters. In certain amounts, it is actually beneficial to skin health, but has a strong, pungent odor and bitter taste.
Chlorinator pumps are the best option when it comes to tackling sulfur. We know, we know. We just said chlorine wasn’t good, right? Well, it’s important to remember that certain things are alright in moderation. For example, the trace amounts of chlorine will be much better than the excess amounts of sulfur.
Metal (Iron)
Before you ask, yes. The iron in your body and the iron in your water is the same as the iron that miners dig for. Although, you won’t see any large rocks coming through your pipes. In fact, you won’t see anything at all! Iron is dissolved within the water, usually coming from a source like an underground well. It can lead to rust stains in sinks, on faucets, and, of course, that lovely smell.
If the destruction of your fixtures is not something you desire, water softeners and specific filters can remove small amounts of iron in your water, especially if the water is coming out clear. If you have a discoloration to your water, most commonly a brownish tint, you’ll need something a little more serious. Although, that is not common for homes in Monmouth and Ocean County.
Not Sure Which of The Above Applies to Your Home?
Try to be observant the next time the odor arises and see if you can pinpoint the issue. Depending on the factors, you might just need some vinegar down the drain! If it something more serious, we recommend calling a licensed plumber to consult on the issue.
Rostron Premium Home Services serves Monmouth County and Ocean County in New Jersey. We are always ready to help out our neighbors get to the bottom of their issues.
