It is easy to detect physical damages and fix them depending on their visibility. Broken tiles, cracks on window panes, chipped wood flooring, peeling paint, and others are common examples. When you encounter these, you know what to do next. There is clarity about the solution. Or, even if certain things have no sign of damage, you may still want to replace them to enhance your home’s aesthetics and keep it updated. Changing furnishings, furniture pieces, houseplants, and others can be great examples. You may be conscious about even the tiniest detail of your house, such as a faucet.
Suppose you went to someone’s place and found a sink faucet in the washroom that looked classic and stylish. You can decide to buy the same thing for your bathroom. Some corrections or changes are easy to implement. You don’t need to guess what’s up with them. On the other side, there can be situations or events that hint at an underlying risk, but you fail to identify them. Think of the presence of an unpleasant sulfur-like odor in the house. It comes and goes, but you need to know its source of origin. You can determine whether that’s hazardous only when you know what causes this smell in your house. Based on it, you can make a decision also. So, let’s delve into this situation.
The Immediate Safety Measures and More
You use different propane or gas household appliances, including a stove, furnace, and water heater. When you get any such smell, it’s better to leave your home immediately and contact the fire department or gas utility service provider. Propane and natural gas don’t contain any scent, but gas suppliers infuse them with a chemical that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur to warn residents of a gas leak. Small leaks can cause infrequent odor issues.
It will be best to act upon it quickly. The professionals will inspect your house for leakage and close the gas supply. You may hire a plumber to repair gas pipes before starting the service. However, the reason behind the sulfur smell in your house can be something else also. Some can be manageable by you, and others may demand professional help. Here are some of those sources:
Drainpipes
Infrequently used sinks, tubs, and showers can emit sewer gas in the house through the dry plumbing trap. Sewer gas consists of methane that smells of sulfur. All the drainpipes of the home can have a connection with the main sewer line. The U-shaped traps under the plumbing fixtures make a common sight in any drainage system. These units remain moist to control the leakage of sewer gas.
But rarely used tubs or showers can cause the traps to evaporate and dry, due to which sewer gas releases in the house. Sniff out all the corners where you have a dry U-trap and run water for a few seconds. Let it flow. When the trap becomes wet, the gas will disappear. This problem in the basement indicates issues with the floor drain. Again, you have to apply the same technique.
Water Heaters
When you get rotten eggs’ odor when running hot water, it can point at your water heater. Generally, this problem occurs when the anode rod gets affected. Initially, the smell can be mild. But it can become intense after two or twelve weeks, depending on the extent of the damage. Do you wonder what this rod is? This magnesium rod filters any harmful water particles that can erode the system. The anode rod succumbs to corrosion over time, which is normal.
Nevertheless, when chemical reactions happen with the anode, it releases a sulfur smell. The risk of chemical reactions can be high if you use a water softener or well water. You can do a sink test with cold and hot water one by one. If you get the odor only during the hot water supply, you can be sure that the anode rod has a problem. If you use an aluminum and zinc rod, the cost will run into USD$ 200-400. But your tension will go away. You can contact your local plumber for replacement.
Well Water
Some homes use municipal water, and others use well water. If you also depend on the well water supply, the reason behind the sulfur smell in your home can be the hydrogen sulfide gas. This gas occurs in groundwater because of the decayed vegetation, creating a mild to intense odor depending on the amount of hydrogen sulfide. The smell is unpleasant, but it’s not a health hazard. Still, it’s better to test the water for hydrogen sulfide. For this, you should allow the gas buildup in your house by not running the water anywhere for about 6 to 8 hours. Cover the sink drain with a stopper and fill the basin with cold water. Check for the smell. If you get a distinctive sulfur odor, hydrogen sulfide is the culprit.
You also get a water-testing kit, which costs around USD $15 to 45. Buy one to establish the sink test results. Collect the water sample to submit it for lab testing. The technicians will confirm whether you got it right or wrong. If they notice hydrogen sulfide in water, they will send appropriate water treatment instructions to control its amount. Remember, wells with hydrogen sulfide issues will continue to create the smell. You can take a few steps to check the odor. For instance, infusing the well with chlorine at a gap of 6-9 months under professional supervision can help.
If you are DIYer, equip your drinking faucets with carbon filters. You can find some relief from the smell. Under the kitchen sink, you can install an RO system with assistance from plumbers. Even aeration or sand filtering systems can benefit. But these may cost over USD $1k.
No matter how you decorate your home, some unexpected problems may appear from time to time. As mentioned earlier, some can be readily visible, while others may need deeper investigation. And the presence of odor in the house belongs to the second category. You must respond to it without delay.
By Amey MyersAmey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.
