When you run water to take a shower, wash your hands, or clean your dishes, the last thing you want is for a terrible smell to pour from the faucet with the water. Unpleasant odors can indicate the presence of harmful contaminants, so it’s vital to address the source of the problem right away. The odor you smell can be a result of a variety of issues, so if you’re not an experienced plumber, it can be difficult to determine what’s going on. At RedFin Plumbing Co., we’ve seen it all and can figure out the source of your plumbing problems, and we would be happy to help you with all your plumbing woes!

What’s the Smell & How Do I Fix It?

Before you call us, it can help you to have an idea of what you’re dealing with. We’ve gathered a few of the most common odors, their causes, and a few DIY solutions to try on your own to get you started.

1. Water That Smells Like Sewage

The smell of sewage coming from your sink or tub may be a result of bacteria growth in your drain. Try a non-toxic solution to get rid of the buildup by combining baking soda (start with ¼ cup) followed by an equal amount of white vinegar. Pour both down the drain followed by boiling water. This will cause a reaction that removes the buildup and then disinfects your drain to get rid of the bacteria – and the odor!

2. Water That Smells Like Chlorine

Most of us know what chlorine smells like, since that’s the chemical used to keep pools clean and safe. However, you shouldn’t be able to smell chlorine in the water you use to cook, clean, and drink. The easiest way to keep your water balanced and safe is to pay for a professional to assess and treat it. At RedFin Plumbing Co., we can make sure your water is safe to drink and that it tastes good!

3. Water That Tastes Metallic

While metallic-tasting water doesn’t carry a specific smell, it’s still an unpleasant sensory experience. This strange taste can stem from the breakdown of metal pipes or from water with a low pH. Whether you need some pipes replaced or want a hard water treatment system, RedFin Plumbing Co. can help you get rid of the metallic taste in your water.

4. Water That Smells Fishy or Earthy

Organic elements can cause your water to smell fishy or earthy, like a pond. Water testing and a water treatment system from RedFin Plumbing Co. can help with this, but you might also want to contact your local water provider. If your water smells fishy or earthy, your neighbors’ water probably smells the same, and the water provider should be working to stop the problem at the source.

5. Water That Smells Like Sulfur

If your water smells like sulfur (rotten eggs), this may indicate the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas, which can appear in your water due to organic matter in your water source, a reaction in your water heater, or problems with your water softener system (if you have one). Stagnant water could also be the issue, so we recommend running your water for a few minutes to see if the smell dissipates naturally. If that doesn’t work and you think the problem could be your water softener, compare the water that comes from that source against water that doesn’t. You can also compare the smell of cold water versus hot water. If the smell is only present when you run hot water, the issue could be your water heater, and you may need to clean it out or replace your magnesium anode with an aluminum one.

The Simplest Solution Is to Call RedFin Plumbing Co.

No matter what your water smells like, the team at RedFin Plumbing Co. can provide accurate water testing, and we can recommend the services you need for safe, clean water that smells and tastes great. We provide water treatment services to make sure you have water that is safe to use for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and drinking.

Give Us a Call for Water Testing

Water is essential for life, so make sure yours is safe with help from RedFin Plumbing Co.! We proudly serve residential and commercial clients throughout Houston, TX and beyond, and we would be happy to help you with water testing and treatment, repiping, plumbing repairs and installation, drain cleaning, water heater repairs, and so much more. Give us a call today to get started.