Bad smell to hot water

[gotoPzero]

Recently moved house, "new" house had a new boiler and tank about 3 years ago. Gas boiler, stainless steel tank.
Most of the pipes are copper. Some plastic.

During the day the water smells ok, but first thing in the morning you can smell sulphur when you first run a tap or have a shower.
After 2-3 mins it seems to go.

The mrs seems to think the water also tastes off... but I cant tell tbh.

Any ideas?

Google says could be gas build up - but seems strange to me given the age of the system.

Have booked a plumber to come and look at it next week but have a feeling it might be like sending a car in to fix a rattle....

[Caddyshack]

I would want every type of test possible done on that water.

Sulphur smell can be from anaerobic bacteria

[Caddyshack]

I think you may need to raise the hot water temp for 10 hours to kill any bacteria….google suggests 140

Also:

While many people assume it's the sulfur-bacteria itself that creates the smell of rotten eggs, it’s actually the bacteria reacting to the aluminum and/or magnesium in the anode rod of your water heater.

[OutInTheShed]

gotoPzero said:

..

The mrs seems to think the water also tastes off... but I cant tell tbh.

....

Is that water straight from the cold tap, from the mains?
If so, the HW system is moot.

If the house has been empty for a while, it may just be a buildup due to the static water.
If the water has been off and allowed to partly drain, all sorts can happen.

Might be worth draining the whole house, see what comes out.

We had a house empty for a few months, got some 'gringe'.
No more problems after draining and flushing.

I spend some time on boats.
Bottled water is cheap enough in Aldi, for drinks and cooking.

[gotoPzero]

Tank temp was set to 55c (it was on 65 when we moved in but was way too hot) so I just took it back to 65c and set the boiler to run overnight. Will see if that clears it up.

The only issue is I wont want to leave it on 65 for long, as its just scalding hot so will prob have to bring it back so if the problem returns not sure what to do about that - anyway, will see what the morning brings!

Anyone know if scottish water will test water?

[tux850]

gotoPzero said:

Tank temp was set to 55c (it was on 65 when we moved in but was way too hot) so I just took it back to 65c and set the boiler to run overnight. Will see if that clears it up.

Are you (or your Mrs specifically) drinking from the hot tap?

See if the taste/smell appears at the cold - if it does then you can pretty much rule out anything to do with the hot water (I say pretty much but there's always a possibility, however small, that there could be an issue there and somehow the water is getting mixed).

[gotoPzero]

OutInTheShed said:

Is that water straight from the cold tap, from the mains?
If so, the HW system is moot.

If the house has been empty for a while, it may just be a buildup due to the static water.
If the water has been off and allowed to partly drain, all sorts can happen.

Might be worth draining the whole house, see what comes out.

We had a house empty for a few months, got some 'gringe'.
No more problems after draining and flushing.

I spend some time on boats.
Bottled water is cheap enough in Aldi, for drinks and cooking.

So tbh I have not really smelled the bad smell that much from the hot, just faintly once or twice

The mrs on the other hand says the water smells bad each morning. After taps ran to brush teeth, shower etc she says its back to smelling fine.

Thats the hot.

The cold, she says tastes off. It apparently is worse if left overnight, i.e in a bottle or glass.
I dont get it but it does not help much that I rarely drink plain water so its hard for me to know what to compare it too. I am not a fan of tap water so I always put something in it to flavour it. She drinks 2-3 L a day, just out of the tap.

Her sense of smell is very sensitive, she is the sort of person who can tell if you looked at a pie, let alone put one near your lips.

[Sheepshanks]

Have you asked neighbours if theirs is the same?

[Caddyshack]

Get a water filter for drinking water.

There is a big gap between 55 and 65 on the temp and the stat will not be accurate. Use a thermometer and maybe try 60 after the run at 65

[AlexGSi2000]

Just to throw a curveball, is there any possibility it could be the drains?

I know when the trap on our sink / bath hasn't been cleaned in a while, the first push of water evacuates the "smell" into the sink if its been left overnight, during the day with frequent use, you cant tell.

[Aunty Pasty]

Do you have a header tank? Any dead animals in there?

[gotoPzero]

Aunty Pasty said:

Do you have a header tank? Any dead animals in there?

no header

[gotoPzero]

AlexGSi2000 said:

Just to throw a curveball, is there any possibility it could be the drains?

I know when the trap on our sink / bath hasn't been cleaned in a while, the first push of water evacuates the "smell" into the sink if its been left overnight, during the day with frequent use, you cant tell.

Thats what I thought it would be tbh, but I dont think it is having closely inspected the traps.

[CorradoTDI]

I think it's well worth contacting your water company - they are usually pretty good and will come out or at least send a test kit out

[shtu]

gotoPzero said:

Anyone know if scottish water will test water?

Yes. In my experience their leak\water quality people are pretty good oldschool types, who really enjoy finding problems.

Start here and see if there's any wider problems, https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/en/Your-Home/Your-...

[gotoPzero]

Cheers I have sent the enquiry form off will update what they say!

[Chumley.mouse]

Her sense of smell is very sensitive, she is the sort of person who can tell if you looked at a pie, let alone put one near your lips.


Ha.ha.ha. My wife is exactly the same. She can smell things that i cant all the time……which i usually get the blame for…….i think she’s cracking up………or a brain tumour. ….

[bennno]

Do you have a mains pressure, or gravity fed, hot water system?

How old is the house?

[gotoPzero]

Water company has been, took samples so will see what comes of it.

[Hoink]

We had similar a while back. Turned out it was the outside drain. It was also worse when it rained. I gave the drain a good clean and the problem went away.