Do you really want to cook with water that smells like rotten eggs? Are you okay with the idea of bathing in this water? How about washing your clothes?

If the smell of rotten eggs takes over your home every time you turn on the water, it’s critical to pinpoint the cause and implement an immediate solution. Even if it’s not harmful to your home or dangerous to your health, it’s more than enough to stress you out.

What’s the Cause?

The most common cause of a rotten egg smell is water that contains hydrogen sulfide. Even if there’s only a small amount in your water, it can still result in an extremely bad smell.

Despite the odor, hydrogen sulfide won’t impact your health. Instead, it’s nothing more than a bad smell that can scare you away from wanting to turn on the water.

What’s the Source of the Problem?

It’s one thing to understand the cause of the smell, but another thing entirely to determine the source. Here are some points of consideration:

  • If the smell is only present when using hot water, it’s probably related to your hot water heater
  • If the smell is present regardless of water temperature, it’s probably related to your plumbing system or well water
  • If the smell is only coming from one faucet or one room, you may have a problem with the pipes or drains in that area

How to Eliminate the Problem

Once you determine the source of the problem, it’s time to take action. Here are some ideas to consider:

  • Install a Water Filter: A whole house water filtration system may be the best answer to your problem. Not only can it eliminate the odor, but it will also improve the overall quality of your water.
  • Clear Your Pipes: This is done by turning on all the faucets in your home and letting them run for a period of 5 to 10 minutes. After that, turn off the water and wait a few minutes before testing. By clearing out the pipes, you may be able to remove the smell once and for all.
  • Clear and Clean Your Water Heater: If the smell is coming from your water heater, turn it off and flush it entirely. Once empty, refill it, turn it up to 160 degrees, and let it run for several hours. This is usually enough to kill any bacteria.

Final Thoughts

If your water smells like rotten eggs, don’t wait another day to find the cause and resolve the issue. Soon enough, the smell will be gone and you can once again run the water in your home without covering your nose.