Hm, artesian well water smells like that, but I've never heard of that being used (or existing) here. Hydrogen sulfide was also the culprit in that case. Beside the offensive odor, sewer gas can be hazardous, especially over an extended period. Who knows. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfur. I always hear that it is comparable, but I have never thought they smelled the same. What is your favorite springtime activity. Also, there may be a septic back up? @JLeslie I was actually thinking that “natural gas” doesn’t smell this way to me. I agree with @JilltheTooth what you are describing is a marker scent they put in natural gas….call the gas Co. stat! They were able to set up a water filter system that got rid of the smell. I guess the smell can also be caused by a certain part on a hot water heater (which wouldn’t explain why you smell it outside) or even by a sewage problem. Not a harsh sulphur smell but a sulfur smell just the same. The smell of rotten eggs is a tell-tale sign that you have a gas leak or a problem with your plumbing. If the sulfur smell is caused by bacteria in your pipes, that may get rid of it. For a simple fix, you can try this and see if it works. Rotten Egg Smell The smell of sulfur and rotten eggs is so infamously unpleasant that it's practically synonymous with bad odor. I understand the gas company puts that smell in gas, otherwise odorless, to alert people to a possible leak. Although on its own, natural gas is odorless, most utility providers add the aroma to alert people of a leak. What do you think about politically correct signs for ... Do you think this experiment will succeed? Please try again. It smelt like rotton eggs when the fumes came out. A rotten-egg smell might be a potentially dangerous natural gas leak. 3. Oops. Rotten Egg Smell Mercaptan is an additive in natural gas that produces an odor similar to rotten eggs or cabbage. It's the H 2 S (a "rotten egg" smell) that people mostly notice if gases from a sewage system are not properly vented at a building. The official subreddit of Los Angeles, California! The most likely is bacteria growing in your washer because of built-up dirt, mildew and mold, lint, and/or soap. At low levels, it has a strong odor similar to rotten eggs. If it’s a minor leak in the outside line, it’s obviously not the same danger as an inside leak, because it would dissipate in the air, but I would still get it checked out. The smell of sulfur is different than what is added to gas. If you smell rotten eggs in your home, you don't need to evacuate the building. I just assumed that I was wrong. How to fix the problem: If bacteria are thriving in your water heater, you can try increasing the temperature of your heater for up to 24 hours. the rotten egg smell is a chemical addative in natural gas pipelines, and transports (trucks). Clean the sink drain fixtures. Known as mecaptan or methanethiol, this substance is harmless but pungent-smelling; it is often described as having an odor like rotten eggs or rotting cabbage. But something similar happened to me last week. Some communities that have high concentrations of sulfur in their soil also tend to have detectable hydrogen sulfide in their water. Description of any illness symptoms (for example, nausea, teary eyes, difficulty breathing). Now that you mention it, that is the area that I found it to smell the strongest, near the old fashioned pump. Because a central air conditioner actively pumps air, any smell that originates inside it is bound to be broadcast throughout the house. Ours was caused by minerals in the well water. Satan. For a rotten egg smell, it could be one of two things. The hydrogen sulfide in sewer gas is what gives it its signature rotten egg smell. The Smell’s Harm to Humans’ Health. Run a house between the houses and get some water in there. I wouldn’t have connected them, because it is outside of my back door and on the way to the driveway, so it is my usual route to the car/let the dogs out/etc. They do this at work in the spring and fall, and it smells like rotten eggs. Get everyone out of the house—leaving the door and windows open so that some gas can escape—and call your gas company immediately to report the problem and request further instructions. :) There could be a drain. Whether house smells like rotten eggs is harmful or not, it depends on the situation you are in. I was doing a load of laundry and it smelled kind of like an egg salad sandwich. I never did figure out what was but we had just had a tremendous amount of rain the day or so before and I thought it might have been related to that. @JilltheTooth I have heard that, also… but could it have been leaking for nearly a week now with no ill consequences? It was definitely a thing in Florida. I think there was sulfur in the water table or something. The solution is to put some water on there occasionally. For lack of better terminology. Perhaps you have similar agencies in your area. Press J to jump to the feed. Because I am paranoid, I’d use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth until the problem was solved. Even with windows closed, sometimes the smell is so strong I can smell it in my room, which is adjacent to the offending smelly alley. If your basement reeks of rotten eggs smell, then you are experiencing a sewer gas leakage somewhere. I live in Ohio. Could be a vent that leads from the roof of your bathroom (or your neighbor's). When you smell the dreaded rotten-egg-sulfur-odor wafting around your house, caution is king. But, it is always the best not to have your house smell like sewer or rotten eggs at any time. @JLeslie I have an electric stove, but I grew up with a gas stove most of my life. Yeah, H2S is nothing to be messed with. For that entire time, I've been ignoring the sulfur/rotten egg smell that seems to come from an indiscernible place between my house and my neighbor's house. I would think anyone with a gas stove knows that smell anyway. Septic Tank Gas Leak Points Outside Some other useful descriptions are oily, metallic, sharp, burning, light or heavy. The first thing you should check is if the smell is coming from your drains or when you turn on the water. Rotten Eggs. Provided there aren’t any rotten eggs in your home, then the smell of rotten eggs or sulfur most likely indicates a natural gas leak. Rotten-Egg Smell Could Be Two Things. Once you feel and smell the sewer gas inside your house … If you have natural gas, run, don’t walk to your phone and call them ASAP! 3. There could be a drain. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Can’t hurt, right? If your water smells like rotten eggs, the odor is usually caused by the levels of sulfur bacteria a… of Sanitation handles sewer issues, and the Dept. Thanks. Sewage. If you have a neighbor with a septic tank, that could be the source of the smell but it shouldn’t affect your water unless you have a well that is too close to the septic tank. The presence of hydrogen sulphide in a sewer is often discovered as a result of complaints from local residents who suffer from an odour problem. The hydrogen sulfide gas results from decomposing organic material and can be produced by human and animal wastes. Just wanna know if I've been slowly poisoning myself due to complacency! I would either call a water quality company to test your water and find the source of the smell or, if you are on city water, call the water company. @TheOnlyNeffie I have no idea if Ohio has a lot of sulfur in the groundwater and soil. However, you should call a plumber as soon as possible. This smells like rotten eggs. The usual ways to handle this problem are to disinfect the pressure tank or install a filtration system. What could it be? If I have a gas leak or have left one of the burners on I know that’s what it is. n Names and addresses of other people affected, if you know. That sounds like something worth looking into. something familiar such as rotten eggs, sweet or sour chemicals, petroleum, garlic, or chlorine. This smell is easily noticeable since it stinks badly. 2. Sewage gas is heavier than atmospheric gas and it “sinks” to the lowest level in the house or in a room. We called a water quality company and they told us the sulfur wasn’t harmful, just yucky. We had a well once, and the water had a sulfur smell to it, especially when hot. Still, I would have the gas company check it out as others have suggested if you are unsure. If you find: The smell coming from only your hot water, then you should only be concerned with your hot water system. Let’s play another game of hide and find the rotten eggs smell. It smelt like rotton eggs when the fumes came out. If a faint, similar smell is coming from the bathroom, you could have a different problem. 1) Your septic tank smells when it rains because the air is heavy and does not allow the methane gases to take off through the vent. If your house is on a well, it's important to test a sample directly from the well. Investigate the sewer line. Hydrogen sulfide gas is a natural product of decay, and in a residential setting, is most commonly a result of decomposition in septic or sewer systems. If you smell this odor in the home, you could have a natural gas leak. The familiar rotten egg smell associated with sulfur gas compounds is often the clearest indication of the presence of these gases. But, I guess if someone is unfamiliar with the smell added to gas, they might not know what they are smelling. If you can smell this odor in your home, it is likely that you have a gas leak. The smell of sewage is often compared with the smell of rotten eggs. If none of the ideas above solve the problem, you might want to look around and see if anyone has spread mulch recently. If the trap on the drain goes dry, sewer gas escapes. The smell of sulfur is everywhere, especially the water. Almost every public patch of grass was watered with it, and it smelled a lot like eggs. Source(s): I had a sulfur level recorder put on my house when there was a sewage fume leak from a manhole on the road next to my house. of Water & Power deals with water quality issues. @TheOnlyNeffie do you live in FL by any chance? According to http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfur , either spelling is acceptable. Anyhow, sewer gas is hydrogen sulfide which comes from decaying organic matter from the sewage. If you smell raw sewage coming from your vents, there is one usual cause: sewage. I think the odor is just stuck in my nose! I’m not doubting you answer, because that was one of my concerns.. I’m just poorly educated about situations like this. I am definitely suspicious of the well. It can be because there is not that much activity of drainage at such time compared to during the day. List of places to look when diagnosing the cause of sulphur smells or sewer gas smells in buildings. Those always smell like that. Call your utilities company and they will tell you if there is a leak if they dont know tell them and they will send out a truck that has a monitor on it. The solution is to put some water on there occasionally. So, I would agree with the suggestions above and call the gas company and insist that they come and check it out. Gas stove smells like… gas. Rotten Eggs Smell from a Washing Machine. If the trap on the drain goes dry, sewer gas escapes. Run a house between the houses and get some water in there. How to dry out a damp carpet without a heater? I've been living in my house, an old craftsman-style on the south side of Echo Park for almost two years. Although, my girlfriend’s parent’s house is on well water in southern MI and I hate taking a shower in their house because the water smells so much like sulfur. If your water smells like rotten eggs, the odor is usually caused by the levels of sulfur bacteria and hydrogen sulfide gas that can be found in a buildings water supply. Stop the Smell. This is LA, and Black Lives Matter! Rotten egg smell could have many sources.Whatever the source, it isn't a pleasant smell, and it it''s not one you should take lightly. Off and on for the last several days I notice that I catch a quick whiff of what smells like rotten egg when I am outside of my house. Under normal conditions, hydrogen sulfide is colorless, flammable gas. The international epicenter of entertainment and home of the World Champion Dodgers and Lakers, as well as the Kings, Rams, Angels, Chargers, LAFC, Clippers, and Galaxy..... we also have wildfires, earthquakes, movie stars, television studios, music, world-class food, beaches, mountains, traffic jams, museums, theme parks, and the most beautiful Redditors of all time. 13 years old and agree to the Some people refer to this as a urine or burning rubber smell. It is possible that there’s a lot of gunk in the fixtures that make up your … YaraNutriox offers a range of products and services that will help you deal with this problem of rotten egg smell in the best way possible, and thus reduce odour problems caused to the local community. This question is in the General Section. Open the windows to your home, get out of the house immediately, then call the gas company. In LA, the Dept. That’s why utility companies inject a substance called mercaptan, which emits an odor that smells like sulfur or rotten eggs. This could … I wasn’t even certain that I smelled it in my bathwater, which makes me think that I may not have. I agree that the well might be a likely source of the problem. Just turn on the gas for 10 seconds without igniting the flame, and see if it smells the same. terms and conditions. At first, the only inconveniences you would experience would be its offensive smell. If you smell rotten eggs, you may have a gas leak. Wash your hands and wear a mask! I get it occasionally as well. The two most common sources of a rotten egg smell are a natural gas leak, and escaping sewer gas. I can't smell it all the time, but definitely daily. Im not sure if 911 is proper to call if it is a gas leak, maybe. Responses must be helpful and on-topic. edited to add: If you have a septic tank, check to see when it was last emptied. http://patch.com/california/echopark/mystery-stench-solved-salton-sea-is-smelly-source-19f7c84a. Is your stove gas? Residents of Echo Park may remember last summer's big stink, when the Echo Park Lake was drained. Chances are if you smell sewage gas, you will usually smell it in the basement. Every time I have noticed the odor it has been in the general area of the pump to the well. Run the hot water taps to flush out the pipes of any remaining bacteria. Leave the house immediately and call 911. This article and its companions discusse the common sources of rotten egg odors, sulphur odors or sewer gas smells in buildings and traces them to their possible cause. I guess the smell can also be caused by a certain part on a hot water heater (which wouldn’t explain why you smell it outside) or even by a sewage problem. I swear (though it may be my imagination) that I can just barely smell it in my bathwater, as well. @MissAusten we have city water and no septic tank… however we do have a well with a pump that is never used. About this Experts Contributor: The Scottish Plumber is the trusted drain and sewer professional for Chicago and its suburbs with fast, reliable service from its … Just don’t light any matches at the same time, and don’t put on your stove without giving it a minute to air out. You should open the windows immediately, leave the house, and call your gas company to identify the exact location and to repair. Anyone have any ideas? Don’t take this lightly. It gives bacteria time to grow and actually create this disgusting, rotten egg or poop-like smell. To locate the smell run both the hot and cold water in all the faucets in your house. It stays low to the ground due to the atmospheric pressure and it may smell like rotten eggs.. 2) After a septic pumping, it will smell like rotten eggs, also known as methane gas, which will dissipate after a half hour. The gas company here uses mercaptan as an odorant for natural gas and the smell is very distinctive, at least to me. The sewage gas smells are caused because somewhere within or outside of the house, the rotten egg smell is not being vented and so it starts to accumulate. Let’s break this sulfury, nasal punishment down in more detail. Under normal conditions, these gases are kept safely contained underground, but occasionally, the gases can escape to above ground parts of your home. Septic gas has a strong, naturally occurring odour that smells like rotten eggs. The smell is hydrogen sulfide, which comes from sewage and can be a sign that there’s a problem with your plumbing. Might wanna call your gas company, might be natural gas. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, http://www.askthebuilder.com/sewer-gas-smell/. n If it has the characteristic rotten egg odor, it could mean that the well is contaminated, either by sewage from a leach field or by natural organic deposits. I've tried to look up what this could be and who I would call to find out what it is/how to fix it, but the internet is inconclusive. If you’ve exhausted the previous steps in trying to determine the source … And we’ll just say this now: If there’s even the slightest chance that you could have a gas leak, leave your home and call your utility company or the fire department right away. Because I am paranoid, I’d use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth until the problem was solved. It is very faint for the most part, but once or twice it has been relatively strong. We had trouble talking to the server. In its natural state, natural gas is actually odorless. We have city water in our home, but we also have a private well on our property. http://www.askthebuilder.com/sewer-gas-smell/. Do you have a storm drain near your curb. Now, there are a few things you can do to stop the smell from spreading more inside your house. Before you solve anything, determine where the smell is coming from first. This does not smell the same. To join, you must be at least If you only experience the smell when using your hot tap, it may be a chemical reaction occurring inside your hot water heater, and not a problem with your water supply. Fishy smell that’s not fish. Other gases produced by the decaying organic matter in the tank are also mixed into this brew as well. First, the rotten egg smell that you are experiencing is most likely hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas. However, the bacteria produce a strong rotten egg smell in the house, which reduces your ability to enjoy your water. There's like maybe 6 feet between our homes. 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Oily, metallic, sharp, burning, light or heavy no ill consequences is nothing to be throughout.

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