Hot water systems If the rod goes bad, you will be able to smell rotten eggs as soon as you turn on the hot water tap.
If the water has a brown or red tint to it, then this is a sign that the pipes are rusted or corroded. Odor – Perhaps the water is emitting an unpleasant or foul-smelling odor. This is another sign that the pipes in the home have corroded.
Water Has a Weird Taste or Smell
Oxidation can cause the water to have a weird taste due to added minerals. Corroded pipes made from copper give off a metallic taste and smell, lead gives off a sweet smell and taste when oxidized.
Water issues like sulfates can cause a smell. If sulfate-reducing bacteria get into the hot water heater, a rotten egg smell is the result. If you suspect the smell is coming from the water itself, contact a professional plumber to assess your water pipes and water quality.
Health implications of corroded pipes
Not only does the water begin to have a strong metallic taste that's difficult to digest. Copper pipes are known to contaminate the water once they begin corroding. The consumption of such water results in vomiting, headaches, nausea, and diarrhea.
Corrosive water itself does not pose a health threat when consumed. However, corrosive water may dissolve enough metals to create water that is unsafe for consumption. In metal plumbing, copper and lead may be a health concern.
The bad news: If your pipes are that corroded, you've got problems. If one pipe is that corroded, it probably means your whole system is either old or compromised somehow. Usually when we see that nasty brown water, we recommend a full plumbing inspection at the very least, and usually a full pipe replacement service.
One of the most visible indications of a leak is a musty, earthy smell similar to what you may find in an old basement. Smells like this means that water is accumulating with no way for it to dry due to water constantly pouring out and a lack of the necessary conditions for the water to evaporate.
Symptoms of headache, nausea, dizziness, or drowsiness may indicate exposure to an odorless gas like methane or carbon monoxide, or to hydrogen sulfide, which smells of rotten eggs. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek immediate medical care.
Actually, sewer gas is mostly methane which is odorless but it's almost always mixed with other gases, the most common of which is hydrogen sulfide which has a rotten egg smell.
Pipe corrosion occurs when old metal pipes get rusted on the inside from years of water flow. The metal begins to break down and will eventually leak or even burst. A burst pipe can cause serious water damage, and a chronic leaky pipe could be causing damage you're not even aware of.
- The data prove that copper in drinking water can cause gastrointestinal diseases and not only the better known systemic diseases (i.e. copper induced liver cirrhosis). Copper poisoning must be considered as a possible cause of chronic gastrointestinal diseases in those countries in which copper plumbing is common.
If there are iron pipes present, the water can be colored rust or reddish and contain metallic or sulfur odors and sediment. Corrosion can cause the piping to fail, sometimes in less than 10 years!
Dirty Drains and Pipes
Sometimes, foul-smelling water has nothing to do with your water at all. One of the most common sources of water smells is dirty pipes and drains.
4. Loose Pipe Connections. If your pipes are loose or cracked, smelly gas could be leaking out into your home. Since most pipes are hidden inside your walls or ceilings, it is hard to find the problem yourself.
The hydrogen sulfide in sewer gas is what gives it its signature rotten egg smell. Sewer gas isn't necessarily toxic at low levels. However, chronic exposure, or higher levels of exposure, can cause symptoms of sewer gas poisoning.
Methane is a highly flammable gas -- the same gas, in fact, that you use to heat your stove. If a sufficient amount of sewer gas seeps into your house and methane concentrations build up, inadvertently starting a fire or a serious explosion (by lighting a match, for example) is possible.
Symptoms typically develop 4 to 7 days after exposure and may last 1 to 3 weeks or longer. Most infections are uncomplicated and resolve completely. In a few cases the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream.
Musty Smells: A musty odor smell is a key sign of water damage. Musty smells are generally caused by dampness and mold. Musty smells can occur even without visible mold growth. The combination of moisture, lack of air circulation, and darkness all contribute to a moldy smell or musty odor.
One of the best ways to descale hot water pipes, copper pipes, or other corroded plumbing pipes is to use distilled white vinegar.
Most homeowners insurance policies consider whole-home repiping to be a preventative measure that you'll have to pay out of pocket for. The good news, though, is that most policies will cover any damage from corroded or failing pipes.
To replace the plumbing in an existing structure, expect to pay between $50 and $200 per hour for labor plus the cost of materials. The total cost to replace the plumbing system in a typical 2,000-square-foot home averages between $3,000 and $16,000.