Bathroom sink odor

[basslkjohn]

The upper level bathroom sink has a strong sulphide odor. I remodeled the bathroom three years ago. The odor started about three months ago. Following the standard analysis, I cleaned the trap, checked the main vent for blockages that might drain the sink trap, and checked all other sinks, showers and bath for a similar odor. No other sink/faucet in the house has the odor. On closer examination, the odor is coming from the tap water, not the drain. Both hot and cold water have the odor. Because only one tap is affected and the odor is present in both hot and cold taps, I do not believe the hot water heater anode is the problem.

So, any ideas? Is it possible that the faucet I installed could be the source? Has anyone heard of a similar problem? I keep thinking that I have eliminated all the variables with the exception of the faucet.

Since the odor source is the water and it is confined to the one sink, I could disconnect the hot and cold feed lines to the faucet and see if the odor is present before entering the faucet mechanism. But I am very curious if anyone else has experienced this problem and if there could be a line of faucets on the market with a reactive metal component that we should know about.

Once again, thanks for your consideration.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Is the piping to the biffy copper or cpvc?

Is this biffy used often?

Many times water from an aquifer that has a good amount of iron also has hydrogen sulfide, which smells a lot like rotten eggs. If allowed to sit in a pipe the odor will get stronger as the iron oxidizes in the piping. Or, there could be bacteria in the water. Many bacterias feed on iron and leech off a horible smell in the water.

Copper piping will help get rid of the bacteria if that's the issue. Not a nice option I understand as the piping is probably behind a wall. If it's hydrogen sulfide flushing the faucet often will help keep newer water in the piping, and is easier and cheaper by a long shot.

The real solution would be to remove the manganese, iron, and hydrogen sulfide from your source water. This can be accomplished with a manganese greensand filter.

As to the faucet itself, I've never heard of any one particular faucet material that will cause the smell. Not saying it doesn't exist, I've just never heard of one.

[BobT]

Sounds like you offer a good explanation, Eric. My system had a strong hydrogen-sulfide odor. So strong in fact that it about gagged you to take a shower. I got rid of the problem by installing a bladderless pressure tank so that the water could contact air and the gas could evaporate before it got into my pipes. With that said, since the odor is only noticeable at one location and not system-wide do you think it would be of any benefit to use this solution in basslkjohn's situation?

I'm thinking that if the odor is caused by iron oxidation then the answer may be no because my solution won't remove the iron. Might be worth a try though but it is a little work and some cost to install.

[krinkle]

I have not heard of a faucet causing an issue like these either but you never know. Changing out the faucet is most likely the least expensive solution to try.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Bob, without a feedwater analysis it's tough to tell. My guess, only a guess, is there's hydrogen sulfide in a small amount in the source water. Good chance it's more noticable in one area due to it's being used less. Once again, just a guess and it's why I asked if it's used often.

It may very well be the faucet itself. As stated, replacing the faucet is a lot cheaper than installing a different pressure tank or a manganese greensand filter.

[Surface Tension]

I know you said its not coming from the drain but Is the stopper missing from that sink? A stream of water hitting directly into a drain without a stopper can change the water a trap works and can let gasses escape.

Other then that.

Any chance you have a water hammer arrester on that line?

I'd prolly do as you proposed and disinfect the line and faucet and then go from there.