Tips To Stop Bad Smelling Water
If you have noticed a foul-smelling odor from your water, it can be caused by many different things. Depending on where the smell is coming from and what type of water you are dealing with, you could have issues with hard water and or the plumbing itself.
It is not just hard water that can cause bad smelling water, however. Bacterial growth, decaying food particles, and even chlorine can cause your tap water to have an odor. Not only that but if your drain has not been cleaned out, the smell could be originating from your drain system as well. Below, you can take a look at the different ways to eliminate the smell from your water permanently.
Use A Water Softener
As mentioned, one of the most common reasons for foul-smelling water is hard water. Hard water, also know as limescale, is the buildup of minerals in your pipes. This will cause a metallic or rusty smell when the faucet is on.You may also notice white, scaly stains on your bathroom and kitchen fixtures which are caused by limescale build-up. Luckily, there is a way to combat this issue. A water softening system is the best way to stop hard water smells. A whole house water softening system can be installed on your main water supply fairly easily.
A water softener works to change the minerals in the water from hard to soft. Not only will it eliminate the smell, but you will also find that your clothes and dishes are cleaner, your skin is softer, and the white stains will be gone.
Disinfect Your Sink
A common cause of bad-smelling water is the kitchen sink. It’s not so much the water that has an odor but the drain itself. What you are smelling is the growth of bacteria from food and other debris that has become lodged in the drain and around the sink. Over time, this bacteria will build up and admit a sewage or raw egg-like smell.
The best way to get rid of this is to disinfect your sink. To do so, you want to fill the tank a quarter of the way with hot water. Add a couple of tablespoons of bleach and let it sit. Once the water has cooled, use a new sponge to wipe down the walls of the sink and then allow the bleach and water mixture to go down the drain. This will stop the foul-smelling water/ sink from occurring.
What if Just Your Hot Water Smells Bad?
If you find that your water only has a bad smell when you use the hot water, the issue is most likely connected to your water heater. Typically, the cause is also going to be hard water. Mineral buildup in your hot water tank will cause a metallic and rusty smell to emit from the pipes when the hot water is turned on. You may also notice rusty colored water with a metallic taste, as well.If this is the case, you want to make sure that your hot water heaters anode rod is intact. An anode rod is a long metal piece that is inserted into your hot water heater that keeps mineral build-up to a minimum. Over time, however, the rod can wear down and need to be replaced.
If you find that you do need to have your water heater inspected, the technician can also give you an idea of what is a mineral buildup has gone too far and the tank needs to be replaced. In most cases though, it will be a simple matter of having a water softening system installed along with a new anode rod.
Captain Rooter Emergency Plumbers Chicago
Captain Rooter Emergency Plumbers Chicago has been the trusted Chicago, IL plumbers since 1998. They have been awarded the Outstanding Service and Best Value award, as well. Their certified technicians are courteous, experienced, and ready to assist you for any water softening water heater, or emergency plumbing repair issues.
