Having hot water in your home can be relaxing. It’s a great way to decompress in the shower, prepare your meals, and warm yourself up after a cold day. However, that doesn’t mean that your hot water heater is foolproof. There’s a common concern that is echoed among homeowners with hot water heaters – the smell! Sometimes you may find that your hot water smells funky. When this issue arises, it’s important to know how to identify it and what you can do to eliminate the odor. We’ll explain how to identify and correct this water heater issue below!

Identifying A Smelly Water Heater

The next time you go to wash your hands in your bathroom sink, turn the cold water nozzle only. You shouldn’t notice anything pungent about the smell of the water. Now turn the cold nozzle all the way off, and turn the hot water nozzle all the way on. Leave it running for a few seconds and observe. Do you notice a funky smell now? You can pinpoint that back to a problem with your home’s water heater! If you noticed the smell both times, it might be a plumbing issue – you can always call us with any concerns!

What Causes Smelly Water?

It’s important to know what causes smelly water in the first place – regardless if you have the issue or not! During long periods of inactivity with your hot water heater, the warm water is left idle and unattended. This creates the appropriate conditions for bacteria to form in your tank. Most water you’ll find contains a chemical called sulfate – which is harmless by itself and doesn’t produce any kind of odor. However, when bacteria feasts on this sulfate, it can become a big problem! The bacteria is what causes the rotten smell, which is why it’s important to address this concern quickly when it arises.

How To Address A Smelly Water Heater

Once you’ve identified the problem with your home’s water heater, the next step is to find a way to solve the problem. There’s one solution that you can potentially try on your own, and it’s a process called flushing. You would start by turning the knob on the heater’s thermostat off, then use a combination of a garden hose and a running kitchen faucet to drain the water from the heater until it looks clean enough. It’s a process you should be doing annually anyways to prevent the smell from forming! However, there are times when it may not be effective. What do you do in this situation?

Water Heater Repair With Vets For You

If your water heater issue looks more troublesome than you anticipated, the professionals at Vets For You can help! We can install, replace, and repair water heaters all over Southern California. If you’ve noticed that your hot water smells, we can help you both identify and eliminate the problem, ensuring that your water heater functions properly for years to come. If you have an issue with your home’s water heater or plumbing systems, contact us today and get them eliminated!