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  1. #1
    Edward Rodriguez's Avatar
    Edward Rodriguez Guest

    Default Smelly Plumbing!!!

    Hello Somebody,

    Today I had a duplex inspection where the the plumbing had been upgraded to copper and joined with polyethylene to supply the two units. When doing a functional flow test in both units it smelled like sewer gases or a rotten egg smell . Funny thing was that all p-traps were installed properly, proper vent termination above the roof surfaces and the smell was only emitted during the functional flow test. Whats the deal

    Your prompt response is greatly appreciated

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,096

    Default Re: Smelly Plumbing!!!

    I bet it was well water right? Hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen Sulfide in Drinking Water, AEX-319-97


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: Smelly Plumbing!!!

    Water can sometimes get an odor like you describe from a water heater.
    Google smelly water

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  4. #4
    Edward Rodriguez's Avatar
    Edward Rodriguez Guest

    Cool Re: Smelly Plumbing!!!

    One of the units had a newer water heater...still had that smell. I believe the units have been vacant for a while. Anyways, what would be the proper narative to use.

    Thanks again


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Smelly Plumbing!!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Edward Rodriguez View Post
    One of the units had a newer water heater...still had that smell. I believe the units have been vacant for a while. Anyways, what would be the proper narative to use.

    Thanks again
    Bacteria in the water.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    1,352

    Default Re: Smelly Plumbing!!!

    It's pretty common here and where I grew up in PA. We just called is sulfur water. Both areas had natural springs around. There may be other factors at your location, but in general it was not a big deal apart from smelling bad. As John said, it shows up on well water. I've never come across it on a municipal supply. They can probably treat it with a softener or something, but most people just lived with it.

    Jim Robinson
    New Mexico, USA

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Smelly Plumbing!!!

    If it did not smell when the cold water was running but it did when the hot water was on then it is the water heater. Anode rod is being eaten by little critters that then fart hydrogen sulfide gas! Remove the rod, flush the tank replace with a new anode rod and it should be fine.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

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