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by danman on February 6th, 2004

danman

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What could cause a sulphur smell around a hot water heater (the water itself does not smell or taste of sulphur)?

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Answers. 6 helpful answers below.

  • by prncesjessie on April 20th, 2004

    prncesjessie

    If you live in some mountain regions (i.e. West Virginia), there is a good possibility that there is sulphur in your water and the filtration system you have at the water heater is collecting it and therefore it's concentrated and you can smell it. There shouldn't be anything to worry about. However, when you drink water with a little bit of sulphur, you get gas.

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  • by 40and8er on March 31st, 2004

    40and8er

    You did not say if this is a gas or electric water heater. I would guess it is a gas heater, and you may have a leak in the gas line somewhere. I would suggest in this case to have a qualified tech check it out.

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  • by OneUp on October 21st, 2008

    OneUp

    Just to emphasize what is said above. How do you know you are smelling suplhur? You are probably smelling Methyl Mercaptan which is added to natural gas so you will smell it and know there is a leak. I would turn off the gas and call the gas company and/or a plumber right away.

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  • by G-MAN on October 20th, 2008

    G-MAN

    turn the gas off and let it cool and drain the heater with the valve on the side it sounds like sediment is inside the heater which builds up over time (calcium and such)

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  • by RedJohn on October 14th, 2005

    RedJohn

    To put a little more emphasis on one response. If you have a natural gas water heater or furnace, there is a chance that you have a gas leak. A smell like sulphur or rotten eggs indicates gas in the vicinity.

    CALL YOU GAS SUPPLIER IMMEDIATELY!

    This is a serious safety hazard. A gas leak inside or outside your home is potentially explosive.

    Natural gas is odourless and colourless. A chemical called mercaptan is added to the gas to permit it to be detected easily by smell. Mercaptan is extrememly powerful and smells like sulphur / rotten eggs at very low concentrations.

    A gas leak can occur around any of the natural gas equipment in your home. A smell at one location does not necessarily mean that is where the gas is leaking, it may be leaking somewhere else and collecting where you smell it. Common sources of leaks are:
    - Faulty gas meter (outside).
    - Leaking control valve in the hot water tank or furnace.
    - Control valve in hot water tank or furnace turning on too soon, allowing unburnt gas to escape.
    - Pinhole leak in a gas line.
    - Loose coupling in the gas line.
    - Leaking gas shutoff valve(s).

    A few years back I saw one house burn to the ground, badly damaging the neighbours on either side because someone was careless with gas. Propane in this case, but the principal is the same.

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  • by olscratchy on May 14th, 2005

    olscratchy

    possibly a blocked or partially blocked exhaust. The smell could be carbon monoxide !!!

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