Is it normal to smell gas from a tankless water heater?

It's okay to smell some combustible fumes when you turn it on and once your tankless water heater runs through its cycle; what's not ordinary is the smell of fumes and even gas when the heater's on and especially when it's turned off.

Considering this, why does my tankless water heater smell?

The most common odor problem from water heaters is a rotten egg smell that comes out of your faucets and fixtures when running water. This smell is typically caused by sulfate bacteria that can develop within the tank. The soft water breaks down the magnesium and creates sulfate gas within the water heater.

One may also ask, can a water heater leak gas? Gas leak – If gas is leaking in or around your water heater, the small ignition flame can ignite the gas, causing a catastrophic explosion. Water pressure – As water is heated, pressure builds inside the tank. Normally, your water heater shuts off or releases the built-up pressure through a safety valve.

Also, should I be able to smell gas from my water heater?

The short answer is, “No.” The chemical mercaptan is added to natural gas to better detect when a leak is occurring. This chemical has a distinct smell and is highly noticeable when a leak does exist.

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas water heater?

A gas water heater that has been neglected, improperly installed or poorly vented could leak carbon monoxide, which can be downright deadly. Headache, dizziness, weakness and upset stomach are the most common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

38 Related Question Answers Found

Why does the hot water stink?

The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with sulfur and the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor. Softening can make smelly water much worse.

Is it normal to smell a little gas near Furnace?

It's normal for gas furnaces to emit small amounts of gas when cycling on. If you occasionally detect a faint gas odor near the furnace during this cycle, you don't have anything to worry about. However, if you frequently smell gas throughout your home, your furnace could have a dangerous leak.

Why does my water heater smell like sewer?

The smell of sewage is likely caused by bacteria in your drain producing gases that arise when the faucet is turned on. It is commonly caused by bacteria that forms in your hot water heater when it is run at low temperatures or turned off for a period of time. Hydrogen sulfide can be smelled at levels as low as .

What does a gas leak smell like?

Natural gas is an efficient, safe, colorless and odorless gas. For easy detection, we add a harmless chemical called mercaptan to give gas a distinctive odor. Most people describe the smell as rotten eggs or hydrogen sulfide like odor. It smells bad for a good reason - in case of a gas leak!

Why does my well water smell like poop?

A regular sewer gas smell is just a bad stench with a definite odor of feces. Sometimes it includes a rotten egg (hydrogen sulfide) smell and possibly a moldy mustiness.

Can you smell a gas leak?

Natural gas has no smell, which means a small leak would be impossible to detect. That's why your utility company adds mercaptan, a harmless chemical, to the gas. Mercaptan smells like sulphur, or rotten eggs, to help you identify gas leaks. But you may not smell anything if the leak is very small.

How do I put hydrogen peroxide in my hot water heater?

Add 1 to 2 pints of 3% hydrogen peroxide (the kind typically found at drugstores) for every 40 gallons of water heater tank capacity. This can be done by pouring the peroxide into the water heater's outlet pipe opening or into the T&P valve opening; alternatively, you can use the pre-filter screen method (seen here).

Why do I smell gas when there is none?

Brief episodes of phantom smells or phantosmia — smelling something that's not there — can be triggered by temporal lobe seizures, epilepsy, or head trauma. Sufferers report smelling hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs), bad perfume, garbage, a gas leak, wet dog, pungent body odor or spoiled fish or feces.

Will a carbon monoxide detector detect a gas leak?

No, carbon monoxide detectors will not detect natural gas leaks. A carbon monoxide detector will only detect carbon monoxide unless otherwise stated. However, natural gas companies often put an additive in the natural gas to give it a distinct odor. This makes it easy to detect a gas leak.

Is there a gas leak detector?

So in the case of a potential gas leak, your single best detector is your own nose. You can supplement your power of smell with a natural gas alarm, many of which will also test for propane and carbon monoxide.

Is it normal to smell gas?

Natural gas and propane have a distinctive smell for a reason. For safety purposes, utility companies use an additive called mercaptan that gives the colorless and odorless gases a smell that is hard to miss. Most people describe this smell like something like rotten eggs, sewage, or sulfur.

What do I do if I smell gas?

If you smell a natural gas odor, hear the hissing sound of gas escaping or see other signs of a leak:

IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE the area, and from a safe location either call 911 or SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.
DON'T smoke, or light a match, candle or other flame.

What does carbon monoxide smell like?

Home carbon monoxide detectors can save your life. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause brain damage and death. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it; but carbon monoxide can kill you. Because carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas, it is known as the "silent killer."

How long does it take gas to dissipate?

How long does it take for gas to dissipate in the line? About 5 minutes is plenty. Just make sure to read up on how many threads the gas lines should be.

What else can smell like gas?

The two most common sources of a rotten egg smell are a natural gas leak, and escaping sewer gas. That's why utility companies inject a substance called mercaptan, which emits an odor that smells like sulfur or rotten eggs.

Why does it smell like gas when my heater is on?

if your heater smells like gas this could be caused by a leak in the exchanger. There aren't any normal reasons for your heater to smell like gas. If the smell is coming from the air ducts a leak in the heat exchanger is the most likely cause.

Is it normal to smell a little gas at the meter?

Answer: No, you should not smell gas at your gas meter. The only reason you are smelling gas by your gas meter is a leak at the regulator or at leak at one of the pipe connections, both of which are bad news. A gas leak smells like rotten eggs.