Why does my bathroom sink water smell like rotten eggs?

Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) can give water a “rotten egg” taste or odor. This gas can occur in wells anywhere and be: Naturally occurring - a result of decay and chemical reactions with soil and rocks. Produced by certain “sulfur bacteria” in the groundwater, well, or plumbing system.


How do I get the rotten egg smell out of my bathroom sink?

A slow-draining sink clogged with ordinary hair and soap scum can build up bacteria in the P-trap until your bathroom sink smells like rotten eggs. This smell can also happen in sinks that haven't been used for a long time. Clear the clog by using a combination of baking soda, white vinegar and hot water.

Is rotten egg smelling water harmful?

In most cases, drinking water that has a strong rotten egg odor, although particularly unpleasant, is perfectly safe to drink. However, in some rare occasions, the odor may be caused by sewage or other contaminants in a building's water supply, which could cause health problems.


Why does the water coming from my faucet smell like rotten eggs?

If your water smells like rotten eggs, that likely indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas. This could be due to a problem with your water heater or naturally occurring sulfur bacteria, especially in well water. These issues can produce hydrogen sulfide, which leaves an unpleasant scent wherever it goes.

Why does bathroom sink smell like rotten eggs?

A smelly sink is usually caused by bacteria build up from grease, fat and food which have been flushed down the drain. These will then get stuck in the pipes causing the familiar rotten egg smell.


Stinky rotten egg, sulfur smelling water cheap and easy fix!



Should I call a plumber if my water smells like rotten eggs?

To get rid of the bad odor, you'll want to contact a plumber to flush and disinfect your tank. Doing so will remove the bacteria and particles that create hydrogen sulfide. During a water heater flush, a plumber can replace your anode rod if it is corroded to prevent the smell in the future.

How do you clean a smelly bathroom sink drain?

How Do I Stop My Drains from Smelling?
  1. If the smell is coming from a sink that is rarely used, flush your drain to ensure your P-trap is filled with water. ...
  2. For this process, start by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain.
  3. Next, pour a mixture of one cup baking soda and one cup vinegar into the drain.


Can I shower if my water smells like rotten eggs?

You can breathe easy (metaphorically speaking) because water with hydrogen sulfide is still safe to drink and bathe in – it's just going to smell bad. However, the odor of hydrogen sulfide can be similar to that from sewage or other contaminants, which can be pose health risks.


How do I fix smelly tap water?

Disinfecting, cleaning and flushing the drain should eliminate the odor. The reservoir/pressure tank may also be the source of such an odor. Cleaning and maintaining the reservoir/ pressure tank periodically can prevent bacteria from growing to levels that cause odor in the water.

What filter removes sulfur smell from water?

Iron Removal Filter Method

The most effective way to treat and prevent sulfur from affecting you and your water is an iron filter. An iron filter can eliminate hydrogen sulfide in water as well as iron and manganese.

How do you get rid of hydrogen sulfide in water?

Continuous Chlorination and Filtration

Oxidation is the most common form of treatment used to eliminate hydrogen sulfide. In this process, a chemical is used to convert the dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas into forms of sulfur that can be easily filtered from the water.


Can sulfur water make you sick?

Sulfur is common in drinking water and is usually safe. For some people, it may cause diarrhea and dehydration. Babies are most likely to get diarrhea from sulfur in the water. Your body may adjust over time to sulfur and symptoms may stop.

Why does my faucet water smell like sewage?

Bacteria growing in the drain is the most common reason for this smell. Over time, organic matter, like food waste, will accumulate on the walls of the drain and act as a nutrient for bacteria to grow. The bacteria can produce a gas (sulfur) which smells like rotten eggs or sewage.

How do you fix tap water that smells like rotten eggs?

Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for several hours. This will destroy the sulfur bacteria. Flushing to remove the dead bacteria after treatment should control the odor problem.


Can a plumber fix smelly water?

Can a plumber fix smelly water? The rotting sewage will stink and that odor will drift back up the line and through your drains into your home. This isn't a DIY type of job, but your experienced plumber should be able to address the situation.

Can a hot water heater make your water smell like rotten eggs?

Wondering why your hot water smells like rotten eggs? The most common odor problem from water heaters is a rotten egg smell that comes out of your faucets and fixtures when running water. This smell is typically caused by sulfate bacteria that can develop within the tank.

Is it okay to shower with smelly water?

Bathing and showering in sulfur water isn't dangerous, but most people would not be able to stand the “rotten egg” stench for very long. After you've finished your ablutions, you may find that you don't feel very clean and the foul odor may even linger on your skin and in your hair.


Will bleach fix a smelly drain?

Pour Some Bleach in It: Bleach, like other disinfectants, kills almost every species of odor-causing bacteria commonly found in drains and sewer lines. So, an easy DIY step to reduce drain odor is to use bleach.

Will bleach help a smelly drain?

Pour Some Bleach in There: Bleach kills the majority of odor-causing bacteria. If you kill the odor-causing bacteria, you'll destroy their smell as well. To use bleach to kill odor-causing bacteria, first, fill your sink with hot water. Then, add about one cup of regular household bleach to the sink.

Can you pour bleach down a sink drain?

Household Chemicals

You may permanently damage your septic system. Bleach and cleaning fluids create toxic gasses when mixed together. If you pour bleach and other cleaning agents down your sink drains, and they mix in your pipes, you can contaminate the air in your home with the resulting gas created.


Can smelling sewer water make you sick?

Exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulfide causes irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. Other symptoms include nervousness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and drowsiness. This gas smells like rotten eggs, even at extremely low concentrations.

How do I get rid of bacteria in my water pipes?

Shock chlorinating water lines is one of the most popular methods for sanitizing pipelines. Chlorine's powerful germicidal action eliminates slime bacteria, molds, and algae in water pipes.

How do I stop my smelly pipes from smelling?

Bacteria-laden drain clogs – how to eliminate sewer odor
  1. Plunger. ...
  2. Snake your drain. ...
  3. Pour hot water down the drain. ...
  4. Pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain followed by hot water. ...
  5. Solution: Make sure there's water in the drain trap. ...
  6. Solution: Replace the wax ring. ...
  7. Solution: Trenchless pipe lining or pipe replacement.


How do you shock a water well?

You can easily shock your well by adding plain unscented household bleach with a chlorine concentration of 5 to 5.25%. The amount of household bleach used varies with the type of well you have.

Can a water filter remove hydrogen sulfide?

If the hydrogen sulfide level in your water is less than 0.3 ppm, a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter will reduce the unpleasant odor and taste. Because of its limited capacity to adsorb hydrogen sulfide, a GAC filter may be exhausted quickly.