Bad Smell When Turning On The Bathtub Faucet (This is Why)

bathtub faucet

If your tap water smells like sewage, it’s downright revolting, and there’s nothing worse than that. Your water heater could also be to blame for the sewage stench you’re experiencing, which may also smell like dirt or rotten eggs. Gases in your drain generated by germs from food and trash could also be to blame.

Why does it smell like sewer when I turn on my bathtub faucet?

Bacteria in your pipes is the most common cause of the sewage-like odor in your water, which is usually caused by a buildup of hydrogen sulfide owing to a low water temperature or a period of inactivity for your water heater.

When your water smells like rotten eggs or sewers, the common cause is an abundance of sulfur bacteria and hydrogen sulfide gas in your water supply. If you only notice the odor when using hot water from the tap, it may be due to a chemical reaction in your hot water boiler and not your water supply.

Because of the germs in your drain line, your water smells like sewage when you turn on the faucet. This sewer smell is most likely to be caused by hydrogen sulfide gas.

When your water heater is running at low temperatures or is left unattended for an extended period of time, bacteria can grow and lead to this problem.

Even at concentrations as low as 5 parts per million, hydrogen sulfide can be detected by smell. It has a musty scent at a PPM of 1, and a rotten egg smell at a PPM of 1-2. Food, soap, and other items that have been lying in your drain can cause the smell of sewage to permeate the water in your home.

When the water is turned on, the gas fills the drain and rises into the air around the sink, making it appear as though the water itself is smelling. Hydrogen sulfide may also be to blame for the sewage odor. In most cases, the presence of this gas will be discovered before it reaches a dangerous level.

At 5 parts per million, humans can detect hydrogen sulfide in the air (PPM). Between 1 and 2 PPM, a musty odor will be present, and between 3 and 5 PPM, a rotten egg odor will be present.

Potential problems with hydrogen sulfide gas

Hydrogen sulfide in the water supply can potentially damage plumbing fixtures by rusting many types of metal. Hydrogen sulfide can also leave black stains on silverware and plumbing fixtures.

How do I stop my bathroom faucet from smelling bad?

To get rid of the smell in your bathroom sink, there are several simple steps you may take.

• Make sure the sink’s surfaces are free of debris
Your bathroom sink drain may smell unpleasant due to a buildup of sludge and bacteria around the drain. To eliminate the odor, thoroughly clean the sink and drain. Prior to using your bathroom sink, make sure to thoroughly clean all of the surfaces there.

• Look for and remove any obstructions
If scents continue after the surface of the sink has been cleaned, then the bathroom sink drain may be the source. To begin, check to see whether there is anything obstructing the drain.

As previously stated, the blockage can be caused by soap scum, hair, or other material. If a clog is found, a plunger or a plumber’s drain snake can be used to clear it. As a last resort, you might try pouring boiling water down the drain and waiting five minutes before flushing it with cold water to coagulate any remaining grease.

• Get Rid of the Smell
Use a commercial cleaner to remove bacteria and mold after you’ve removed any obstructions in the drain or if none are there, to begin with. Just make sure you adhere to the directions provided on the package.

• Keep your bathroom sink smelling clean.

If you’re able to get rid of the foul smell coming from your bathroom sink drain, you’ll want to know how to maintain it that way. This foul odor must be kept out at all costs.

Using an air freshener may be a solution in this situation. Plug them into the bathroom wall near the sink if you buy them from a store and don’t have to install them yourself.

Why does it smell when I turn my tap on?

Food, soap, and other items that have been lying in your drain can cause the smell of sewage to permeate the water in your home. When the water is turned on, the gas fills the drain and rises into the air around the sink, making it appear as though the water itself is smelling.

When using hot water, the smell may only be present in specific cases. If this is the case, your hot water heater is most likely the source of the scent.

For example, when you go on vacation and leave your hot water heater on for long periods of time, you could end up with a lack of hot water in your home.

If you’re lucky, there’s no danger to you from the bacteria in your hot water heater, but you’ll still need a professional to get rid of the smell. Hydrogen sulfide may also be to blame for the sewage odor. In most cases, the presence of this gas will be discovered before it reaches a dangerous level.

At 5 parts per million, humans can detect hydrogen sulfide in the air (PPM). Between 1 and 2 PPM, a musty odor will be present, and between 3 and 5 PPM, a rotten egg odor will be present.

How to correct the bad odor when turning on the bathtub faucet

Do not dismiss the idea that the bad smell you’re smelling is due to a buildup of stink in the sink basin rather than further down in the drains. The kitchen sink or garbage disposal is the most usual place for this to happen, but it can also happen in other places around the house.

Your sink can be brought back to its original state of cleanliness with a simple cleaning. Turn off the water supply, add soap, and fill the basin with hot water. For best results, let the water drain out for a few minutes before cleaning the basin thoroughly. See if you can get rid of that obnoxious odor this way.

If the smell is only coming from the hot water tap, the problem is most likely with the water heater. Then it is best to contact a specialist.

You will notice the odor coming from both the hot and cold taps, but only water that has been treated by a water softener and not untreated water is likely to be caused by sulfur bacteria in the water softener. Change the water softener to eliminate the problem.

If the smell is particularly strong when you turn on the cold and hot water, but diminishes after the water has been running for a while, or if the smell changes over time, the problem is probably sulfur bacteria in the water tank or distribution system.

It could also be a sign that there is a more serious problem with your water supply.

If the odor is very strong with both cold and hot tap water, it is probably due to hydrogen sulfide in the groundwater. There may be a more serious problem in your water supply.

If you are concerned about the quality of your water, you can purchase test kits that test the water for levels of hydrogen sulfide, sulfates, sulfur bacteria, and iron bacteria.

Resources

https://www.waterlogic.com/en-us/resources/water-problems/why-does-my-water-smell-like-sewage/#:~:text=Your%20water%20smells%20of%20sewage,to%20cause%20this%20sewage%20smell.

https://www.sunrisespecialty.com/bathroom-sink-smells

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