You’re taking a shower or washing off a couple of dishes and then you smell it – a nasty, rank odor that makes you think someone has just hit you with five rotten eggs. What you’re smelling is hydrogen sulfide gas, and it’s most likely a sign that you need water heater repair. At One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Elk Grove, our Chicago professionals can take care of that problem quickly and effectively so you don’t have to put up with that smell anymore.
What Causes It?
The rotten egg smell occurs when bacteria in your water heater reacts with the anodes in the unit. An anode is a device that attracts corrosive materials so that they don’t attack the inside of the tank, thus helping to extend the life of your model. While some plumbers may recommend that your anode be removed to get rid of the odor, all that will do is ensure your tank rusts out much more quickly. It will also void your warranty, in all likelihood.
What You Can Do About It
Try these steps first before calling a professional for water heater repair:
- Turn off the water heater’s water valve.
- Open a hot faucet nearby.
- Drain some water from the tank and pour in a few pints of hydrogen peroxide.
- Make sure the tank is secure, turn the valve back on, and let the water run. This should clear up the problem.
If it doesn’t, however, call One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Elk Grove and we’ll send a technician to your home to perform the necessary water heater repair. It could be something as simple as replacing the anode. If your unit is showing other signs of problems and you’ve had it for a long time, however, we may recommend a replacement. Whatever the problem is, we’ll have it fixed as fast as possible. Contact us online or give us a call at (847) 744-9447 to schedule an appointment. Have you ever had to deal with the dreaded “rotten egg” smell? Share your story with us and let us know how you dealt with it by clicking on one of the social media buttons on this page.
American Comfort One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning provide HVAC services for the cities of Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Park Ridge, Schaumburg, Chicago, and the following cities in Illinois.