Notice a sulfur smell in your home?
While candles surely improve the smell, it doesn’t eliminate the cause.
The two most common sources of a rotten egg smell are a natural gas leak and escaping sewer gas.
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Here are six reasons why your house smells like rotten eggs and how to fix the issue.
A natural gas leak can lead to a potential house fire or gas poisoning to members of the home.
Do not test for a natural gas leak yourself or ignite a spark or flame for any reason.
Do not reenter the home until the utility company gives an all-clear signal.
Your utility company technician can verify whether or not the rotten egg smell is indeed anatural gas leak.
Apart from broken pipes, clogged pipes can result in this smell as well.
If you suspect this is the reason behind the sulfur smell, contact your nearest plumber.
Sewer gas contains methane, which becomes combustible in high concentrations.
The sink and tub in your bathrooms are connected to a P-trap linked to your home’s drainage system.
If this water evaporates, the gas leaks into your home, leaving behind an unwanted scent.
The good news is that this is the easiest fix.
If this doesn’t solve the issue, give your plumber a call.
Hydrogen sulfide shows up when there’s decaying vegetation in the ground that naturally produces sulfur bacteria.
Though sulfur water is typically safe to drink, rotten egg-smelling water is greatly off-putting.
Sniff the water and if you smell a strong sulfur scent, you’ve identified the cause.
Gassy Drywall
Who knew drywall could be gassy?
Shockingly, it can be, primarily in homes that were built between 2001 to 2009.
During this period, contractors purchased drywall made in China that contained large amounts of sulfur.
If your home includes these drywalls, you could be smelling the gas it’s omitting.
Black ash buildup comes up whenever there’s a high level of sulfur being emitted.
Sadly, the only way to fix this issue is to have all affected drywall replaced.
Water heaters are constructed with anode rods that corrode and go bad over time.
When it corrodes, it meshes with other chemicals in the water that can produce a sulfuric odor.
This is another simple fix that requires a licensed plumber to replace the anode rod.
Clogged Drain
Drains commonly get clogged from a buildup of hair, oils, and debris.
When water stops draining, it’s a clear signal that you better remove a clog.
However, partially clogged drains are more difficult to spot and can lead to a troublesome rotten egg smell.
Should You Worry if Your House Smells Like Rotten Eggs?
You will also need to contact a professional if you suspect your water heater anode rod has corroded.
