If there's a rotten egg smell in your house, you've probably thought about lighting a candle to mask the unpleasant odor. While candles surely improve the smell, it doesn't eliminate the cause.
Warning
Never light a candle, match, or other spark or flame source if your home smells like rotten eggs until the cause of the problem is determined not to be from a natural gas, propane, or methane source.
The smell of rotten eggs is instantly recognizable and can be an indicator of a serious problem in your home. The two most common sources of a rotten egg smell are a natural gas leak and escaping sewer gas. Other leading causes for a rotten egg smell in houses can come from your drain pipes, well water, gassy drywall, water heater, or quite literally, rotten eggs. If the fridge has been rummaged through and the trash has been taken out, yet the unwanted smell remains, it could be because of a bigger issue. Here are six reasons why your house smells like rotten eggs and how to fix the issue.
Causes of a Rotten Egg Smell in a House
Natural Gas Leak
This is the first culprit to eliminate when there's a rotten egg smell in your house since it's the most harmful. A natural gas leak can lead to a potential house fire or gas poisoning to members of the home.
Warning
If you suspect the rotten egg smell could be from a natural gas leak in the home, leave the house immediately and call your gas utility company from a phone located outside of the home. Do not test for a natural gas leak yourself or ignite a spark or flame for any reason. Do not reenter the home until the utility company gives an all-clear signal.
Though natural gas doesn't have an odor itself, gas companies have added a chemical called mercaptan to the supply that produces a sulfur smell when there's a leak.
If you smell rotten eggs or notice any gas leak indications, leave the home immediately and call a professional from a phone located outside of the house. Your utility company technician can verify whether or not the rotten egg smell is indeed a natural gas leak. If a natural gas leak isn't the source of the smell, you can then investigate other possible causes.
Sewer Gas
Broken drain pipes can cause sewer gasses to seep into the interior or exterior of your home if the pipe that's broken is in the yard. Apart from broken pipes, clogged pipes can result in this smell as well. If you suspect this is the reason behind the sulfur smell, contact your nearest plumber.
Warning
Sewer gas contains methane, which becomes combustible in high concentrations.
Dried Drain Pipes
Similar to your home's sewer system, the drain pipes in bathrooms that aren't used frequently can lead to a rotten egg smell, too.
The sink and tub in your bathrooms are connected to a P-trap linked to your home's drainage system. This U-shaped device traps sewer gas and prevents it from leaking into your home with the help of water at the bottom. If this water evaporates, the gas leaks into your home, leaving behind an unwanted scent.
The good news is that this is the easiest fix. Simply run some water in your sink or tub for a few minutes to allow the water layer to build back up. If this doesn't solve the issue, give your plumber a call.
Well Water
Homes that run on well water are susceptible to the occasional rotten egg smell due to a build-up of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide occurs when there's decaying vegetation in the ground that naturally produces sulfur bacteria.
Though sulfur water is typically safe to drink, rotten egg-smelling water is greatly off-putting.
Test to see if this is the cause by filling your sink up with cold water and shutting off your supply for at least 6 hours. Sniff the water and if you smell a strong sulfur scent, you've identified the cause. Plumbers recommend installing a carbon filter on the faucets you drink out of along with a reverse osmosis unit underneath the sink.
Gassy Drywall
Who knew drywall could be gassy? Shockingly, it can be, primarily in homes that were built between 2001 to 2009.
During this period, contractors purchased drywall made in China that contained large amounts of sulfur. If your home includes these drywalls, you could be smelling the gas it's omitting.
To identify this cause, check your air conditioner's copper coils for a black substance appearing as an ash-like material. Black ash buildup occurs when there's a high level of sulfur being emitted. Sadly, the only way to fix this issue is to have all affected drywall replaced.
Water Heater
If you only smell rotten eggs when hot water is running, odds are it's linked back to your water heater. Water heaters are constructed with anode rods that corrode and go bad over time.
When it corrodes, it meshes with other chemicals in the water that can produce a sulfuric odor. This is another simple fix that requires a licensed plumber to replace the anode rod.
Clogged Drain
Drains commonly get clogged from a buildup of hair, oils, and debris. When water stops draining, it's a clear signal that you need to remove a clog. However, partially clogged drains are more difficult to spot and can lead to a troublesome rotten egg smell.
With a partially clogged drain, water can still drain out, allowing bacteria to grow as it feeds on the oil, hair, skin, and soap residue. When these break down, it can release hydrogen sulfide gas into the air and create a rotten egg smell.
Should You Worry if Your House Smells Like Rotten Eggs?
If your home smells of rotten eggs, take action immediately, not only for a better-smelling home, but more importantly to ensure everything is safe.
Most of the causes of a sulfuric aroma are harmless and requires replacing faulty items, though if you suspect the cause is from a natural gas leak, get everyone out of the home and call a professional immediately.
How to Get Rid of Rotten Egg Smell
The best way to completely get rid of a rotten egg smell in your house is to solve the cause. It may take a few hours or days before the smell is completely gone if you're having something replaced, though issues such as dried drain pipes may resolve in a few minutes. In the interim, enlist the help of an air diffuser, candles, or cleaning products to lift the air.
When to Consult a Professional
Call a professional first to determine that the source of the smell isn't a natural gas leak or a broken sewer system. The professional will need to further inspect the area and make repairs if necessary, plus make sure the area is safe.
Once the professional rules out a gas leak or sewer breakdown as the problem, there are a few other possible causes you can resolve yourself when it comes to identifying the sulfuric odor, like refilling dried drain pipes or solving your well water.
You will also need to contact a professional if you suspect your water heater anode rod has corroded.
