I just built a house this fall, and moved in October. For a couple of weeks now, i have noticed the water from my upstairs bathroom sink is now stinking like rotten eggs. What is wrong? I don't have a well....and I have only lived there for 3 months, but the smell only started about 3 weeks ago, so it can't be the water or it would have always smelled like that. Please only answer this question if you actually have knowledge on the subject. Thanks
2007-12-20 17:30:01 · 7 answers · asked by askme00000 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I don't know what that smell is, I get it sometimes, too. Try this:
-pour about a half a cup of baking soda down the drain
-then pour about a cup of white vinegar down on top of the soda
-after it fizzes like crazy, let it stand for about fifteen minutes
-run really hot water for about a minute
-repeat if needed
2007-12-20 17:37:53 · answer #1 · answered by North 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that it isn't the water. It's the sink. Try engaging the stopper and pour in one cup of bleach. Slowly (to prevent splashing) fill the sink with water and allow it to go into the overflow holes. let the water run until you no longer smell the bleach. I have seen this problem before. It is bacteria trapped between the inside and outside surfaces of the sink where the overflow water runs to the drain. The bleach will kill it. If this is the cause, the reason you are smelling it is that when running water, bad smelling air is being pushed up through the overflow drainage area.
2007-12-21 01:54:31 · answer #2 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a lot of times with new construction the plumber used a wee bit to much flux (actually good for you) but that makes the water taste like ***... The best thing to get rid of residule flux is run a crap load of water through the pipe. If that dosen't do the trick, lightly tap on the joints with water running trough it. the key is taking the areator off of the sink, that way chunks of flux and corrosion (removed by flux) don't get caught up in that little filter. Most fluxes are based with zinc and sulfuric acid, providing a sulfer smell/taste, so there's a chance that the compound remains after new construction. Additionally, sulfer compounds are used in the cheap PVC glue, so you may have to deal with that untill the glue fully cures. Teflon tape (also used for threaded joints) can contain sulfur, although not normally a cause of fould odors or tastes.
2007-12-20 17:44:09 · answer #3 · answered by Max J 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like sewer gas is coming in from somewhere. I would make sure all the traps are primed (pour water into drains). Make sure none of the joints are leaking around the traps. Also the Trap/Drains may not be vented properly, that could siphon out the water in the traps also. The water in the traps are there to stop the gases from coming up the drain. Not for catching your wedding ring. Call the plumber who did the original work. Sewer gas can be dangerous
2007-12-21 05:48:07 · answer #4 · answered by BobtheBuilder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My guess would be that there is a constriction in your vent stack. Since you're only smelling it in your upper bathroom, it is the highest point where gases would escape before being vented through the stack. If there is no snow on your roof, have someone go up and ensure there is no bird's nest or other restriction in your plumbings ventilation. The gases are probably from within your own home. There may have been sewer work done on the mains in your area if there is still new homes giong up.
2007-12-21 06:26:36 · answer #5 · answered by Rob M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be in the pipes. I know it's your bathroom sink, but does the water taste bad? Maybe you should call a plumber.
2007-12-20 17:38:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you check under sink to make sure there is no back flow/leak of water or that the fitting into main line isnt letting sewer gas come thru
2007-12-20 23:31:28 · answer #7 · answered by southarkansas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋