Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
Any plumbing experts want to take a stab at this issue and see if you can provide a diagnosis?
House is a new construction built about a year ago. It's on public water and sewer.
One of the sinks has an occasional sulfur (rotten egg) smell to the water. Typically happens after the sink hasn't been turned on for at least 24 hours and typically only lasts for about 5 seconds after the sink is turned on. But, it's a relatively strong smell, and it only comes from that sink.
That sink is attached in-line with another sink and a tub (it's between the other two fixtures), and those other two fixtures don't seem to have the issue. Makes me think it's not a supply or supply-line issue, but I'm certainly not a plumbing expert.
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
10y
Sounds like when you flush a toilet somewhere close to the sing its creating a vacume , pulling water from the trap . Doesnt have to pull much to allow sewer gas to get thru . House is newer , so you if you have pvc traps , pour 1/2 cup of bleach in every sink to loosen up any crap in the traps . After an hour pour boiling water down the sinks , ( works great ) . It that doesnt work , get up on the roof and take a garden hose and flush out the vent , if the vent is clogged that too will cause a vacume on smaller drains .
Based on the problem description: The issue likely was bacteria in the supply system, likely the hot water tank.
That can go away with use, sometimes it needs adding something to the task to kill em.
I suspect it's drain or fixture related, only because it's only happening at one fixture. If the issue were at the water heater, we'd smell it at every fixture, I imagine.
Investor · Northeast, NE · Member since 2015 · 258 posts · 83 votes
10y
All good ideas above.
The ONE thing not mentioned yet is----the double trap ,,,,trap. Is their two traps in the same drain line?? You say there are 3 things on this line?? There is a phenom called one trap pulling the other trap dry,or nearly dry
I used to live in an old apartment that smelled just like that once in a while from the sink drain in the bath,,,it was nasty. Tried bleach and other stuff and never got it gone. I was moving anyway,,,,good riddance to that place,,,awful on so many levels.