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why does it smell like rotten eggs outside my house

by Jeanne Emmerich Jr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Why Does My House Smell Like Rotten Eggs (4 Reasons)

  1. Natural Gas Leak. The first most common cause of this smell is a natural gas leak. ...
  2. Sewer Gas Leak. The next most likely cause is a leak of sewer gas. ...
  3. Toxic Drywall. If your plumber has assured you it is not a natural gas leak or sewer gas leak and you are still getting the unwanted smell of rotten ...
  4. Mold. ...

Natural gas odor:
Natural gas, which is primarily methane, doesn't actually have any odor at all. So for safety, most gas companies add small quantities of a compound call Mercaptan. It's what gives it the smell of rotten eggs and this is for safety so people know when there is a gas leak.
Feb 5, 2021

Full Answer

What does it mean when you smell rotten eggs in Your House?

What does it mean if you smell rotten eggs? 1) Rotten Eggs This smell is probably septic gas, unless you have a carton of eggs hiding in your living room. Septic gas has a strong, naturally occurring odor that smells like rotten eggs.

How to get rid of rotten egg smell in house?

How To Get Rid Of Rotten Egg Smell In House? First of all, wear a mask and open all doors and windows so that cross ventilation can start and find from where that smell is coming from. If you are reading this section of the article this means, you found the smell from where it is coming from.

How to remove the rotten egg smell from your home?

Sulfur Water Control (Rotten Egg Odor in Home Water Supplies)

  • Effects of Sulfur Water. Sulfur in your water supply is easily recognized by its offensive odor. ...
  • Occurrence & Characteristics. ...
  • Hydrogen Sulfide Testing. ...
  • Sulfur Removal Methods. ...
  • Chlorine Bleach Removal Method. ...
  • Iron Removal Filter Method. ...
  • Aeration Removal Method. ...
  • Other Considerations. ...
  • For Further Information. ...
  • References. ...

Why does my house smell like pickles?

  • It is possible this odor is being caused by a reaction between the old paint and this new "all in one" paint but I believe Ace should be able to ...
  • Consider contacting the company that made the paint and perhaps they will have an answer.
  • Paint "smells" do not always go away in a few days, especially if the room cannot be sufficiently aired out.

More items...

What do you do if you smell rotten eggs outside?

The first thing to do is make sure the smell is sewer gas—usually a rotten egg smell—and not a natural gas smell, which usually smells like a skunk. If you think it's a natural gas smell (skunk!), call you're natural gas company immediately. If they can't be reached, call the local fire department.

What do you do if you smell sewer gas outside?

Simply running some water can resolve the issue. The same applies for either a little used fixture, a guest house, or a vacation home. Simply running some water will fill the trap belly back up with water, and re-create the water barrier. Sometimes pouring some vinegar down a drain can help to get rid of a foul odor.

Is rotten egg smell an emergency?

This hydrogen gas is very flammable and can easily result in major fires. So, when you smell the “rotten egg”, address the problem immediately or call a certified emergency lighting service company.

Why is there a sewer smell outside my house?

It occurs when the P-trap is dried out or if you don't have proper ventilation to stop sewer gases from leaking into your home. Sewer gases can make you sick because they contain hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methane. Sometimes, gases might get pulled down into the yard, hence a foul sewage smell outside your house.

Is it normal to smell septic outside?

A well-maintained septic tank should never smell, so detecting a foul odor coming from inside or outside your home isn't a good sign. The smell could either be a sign of something serious or something minor.

Why do I keep smelling rotten eggs?

First, the rotten egg smell that you are experiencing is most likely hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas. Hydrogen sulfide gas is a natural product of decay, and in a residential setting, is most commonly a result of decomposition in septic or sewer systems.

Does a gas leak smell like rotten eggs?

For easier detection, we add a safe, non-toxic (but unpleasant) odorant called mercaptan into the gas that's inserted into the distribution system. The scent resembles rotten eggs or sulfur. If you smell it, you'll quickly know you have a gas leak and should leave your house or building immediately.

How can you tell if you have a natural gas leak?

The smell of rotten eggs. In its natural state, natural gas is odorless and colorless. To make gas leaks easier to detect, gas companies add chemicals called odorants to create a natural gas smell similar to sulphur or rotting eggs. The stronger this smell, the more likely it is that you have a gas leak.

Where Does the Smell Come From?

Hydrogen sulfide emits a rotten egg smell. It’s a natural occurrence in sewers, so the odor can indicate a sewage backup. Call for immediate help because this gas is highly toxic and flammable.

When to Call for Help

If there’s a gas leak, a fire, explosion, or carbon monoxide poisoning may be imminent. Call the gas company or 911 if:

Can I Prevent a Rotten Egg Smell?

Other than discarding last week’s breakfast, along with old trash, you can prevent a smelly situation by maintaining your furnace. Annual maintenance, minor repairs, and tune-ups can keep your heating system running properly and prevent gas leaks. Carbon monoxide is a potentially deadly byproduct of natural gas combustion.

Where does the rotten egg smell come from?

If you live in the southern parts of the U.S. in a house built between 2001 and 2009, chances are the rotten egg smell is coming from your drywall. During this period, that region experienced a drywall shortage after a series of hurricanes. Drywall was often imported from China, but that product had extra amounts of sulfur, the smell of which can be released into your home.

Why does my gas smell like rotten eggs?

The most serious reason for a rotten egg smell could be contributed to a gas leak. The leak could be coming from any number of places like your stove or your furnace. Gas companies inject a chemical called mercaptan into residential gas which is normally odorless. This is for your safety and helps to detect any problems.

Why does my plumbing smell like it's downdrafting?

If the weather is windy, you may notice that the smell comes and goes throughout the day. You’ll know downdrafts are the cause if the smell dissipates in warmer weather.

What happens when rainwater runs off your house?

As rainwater runs off your house, it travels to the lowest point. This would be your septic tank if you have one. The gasses in the septic tank have a lower density than the water. So, as the water fills the tank, it pushes the gasses up, causing them to seep through the sewers to where we can now smell them.

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