Odd odor hot water heater

• Jul 21, 2017

• #1

hiawassee1

Senior Member

Started a week or so ago noticed outside first but now strong inside only when hot water heater exhaust fan is running. Any ideas, not the normal propane burn off exhaust smell?


Thanks J.R.

 

• Jul 21, 2017

• #2

NOYDB

BANNED

A hot water heater has a pressure relief valve. They can go bad and start to allow a very slow leak out the relief drain. Preventative maintenance is to release the pressure for a few seconds once a month. If you have a leaking relief valve, where it releases water can build up mildew and cause a smell. Your exhaust fan can be moving the odor to where you can smell it.

If it just started. Monitor it more often to isolate source. Then make indicated repairs.

 

• Jul 22, 2017

• #3

shakey gizzard

Senior Member

City or well?

 

• Jul 22, 2017

• #4

sinclair1

Senior Member

I have no clue, but I suggest a carbon monoxide and gas detector asap if you plan on staying there tonight.

 

• Jul 22, 2017

• #5

C

Cmp1

BANNED

When the inducer motor is running, check your flame pattern,,,, the inducer motor only runs on a call for hot h2o,,,, could be the inducer motor going bad also,,,, the motor induces the exhaust gasses outside,,,,if the motor is going bad, you won't be getting proper combustion,,,, any noises from the motor?,,,, Can't smell carbon monoxide,,,, but you can smell incomplete combustion,,,,

 

Last edited: Jul 22, 2017

• Jul 22, 2017

• #6

hiawassee1

Senior Member

We are on a well. Everything sounds/appears to be running correctly but I will check itCmp1

 

• Jul 23, 2017

• #7

W

westcobbdog

Senior Member

sinclair1 said:

I have no clue, but I suggest a carbon monoxide and gas detector asap if you plan on staying there tonight.

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x2.

 

• Jul 23, 2017

• #8

DAWG1419

Senior Member

hiawassee1 said:

We are on a well. Everything sounds/appears to be running correctly but I will check itCmp1

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Sulfer smell?

 

• Jul 24, 2017

• #9

glynr329

Senior Member

Any quick or easy fixes for sulfur smell?

 

• Jul 24, 2017

• #10

J

jeardley

Senior Member

If its a sulfur smell you should get the odor from the hot and cold water when running. I'd check what cmp stated as all the water is in a closed system (unless you gotta leak).

 

• Jul 24, 2017

• #11

DAWG1419

Senior Member

glynr329 said:

Any quick or easy fixes for sulfur smell?

Click to expand...

If it's a tank hot water heater replace the anode rod.

 

• Jul 24, 2017

• #12

C

Cmp1

BANNED

DAWG1419 said:

If it's a tank hot water heater replace the anode rod.

Click to expand...

This,,,, if you can get it out,,,,

 

• Jul 25, 2017

• #13

dixiecutter

Eye Devour ReeB

Cmp1 said:

This,,,, if you can get it out,,,,

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takes a 1 1/8 socket and a cheater pipe on your wrench. use the anode rod opening and a funnel to add bleach. replace anode rod. drain the heater. refill it, run hot water in the tub a while to cycle rinse water through the tank. then bump the thermostats up higher. there's a temperature range that bacteria lives in. they say if you bump up the thermostat, give it a clean slate, the bacteria wont take hold.

 

• Jul 25, 2017

• #14

glynr329

Senior Member

Mine is coming from the well. Sorry for asking on someone else thread.

 

• Jul 25, 2017

• #15

Lukikus2

Senior Member

sinclair1 said:

i have no clue, but i suggest a carbon monoxide and gas detector asap if you plan on staying there tonight.

Click to expand...

x 2