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Water Stench

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by phitnessfiend, Aug 9, 2007.

  1. JLC

    JLC Member

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    We live in Northern Broadlands in a Beazer home and this happens occasionally in one of the sinks in the master bathroom.
     
  2. TeamDonzi

    TeamDonzi ShowMeTheMoney!

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    We have it too, in the master, just my husband's sink. There is nothing to unclog, so I'll try vinegar and baking soda. Thanks for the tip!
     
  3. phitnessfiend

    phitnessfiend New Member

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    COUNT ME IN TOO ON THE LIST!
     
  4. jedsob

    jedsob New Member

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    I've been smelling it since we moved here 2 yrs ago - master bathroom. It comes and goes but it really does stink. Van Metre house, Inglewood Court Southern Walk.
     
  5. 1grtchr

    1grtchr Member

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    I've noticed it too in at least one sink in the MBR bath in our VM Parkdale home as well.
     
  6. phitnessfiend

    phitnessfiend New Member

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    The stench was in my Master bath last night as well. I have it in two now.
     
  7. broken skull

    broken skull New Member

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    We had it in our bathroom this morning around 7:30.

    Worse thing to smell when I am trying to wake up and brush my teeth.
     
  8. phitnessfiend

    phitnessfiend New Member

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    See...that's my usual morning breath smell. That's probably why I don't smell it in the morning. Ahhhh, isn't my wife a lucky woman waking up next to me!
     
  9. phitnessfiend

    phitnessfiend New Member

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    Seems like a lot of people are having this issue. At what point to we take some action, if there is any to take?
     
  10. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    As many boys as you have I think YOU are the "lucky" one! :bang:
     
  11. tiny

    tiny New Member

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    We've got it too...VM home SW in upstairs bathrooms..our seems to be from the faucet b/c the smell really gets going (on the occasions that it does) once the water is running.
     
  12. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    I'm with you, Tiny... mine really seems to be from the faucet and not the drain.
     
  13. broken skull

    broken skull New Member

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    I thought it was the water from the faucet as well. But the water has no residual odor, so the drain makes sense. My wife is now reporting that she has the same thing happen in her sink every now and then as well.
     
  14. phitnessfiend

    phitnessfiend New Member

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    From my house anyway, it definitely comes from the water and not the drain. I'm just wondering why the smell goes away after a minute or two of the water running. It's almost like it's not the water that smells, but a gas that builds up in the pipes. When we turn the water on, it's pushed out. That's a completely UNEDUCATED guess though. All being said, the smell should not be there.
     
  15. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    Contact LCSA immediately, have them come out and test your water. I am not trying to sound like a drama queen, but you dont want to mess around with water (we bathe, wash, and drink the stuff). At the very least (as in our case) LCSA will be ruled out as part of the cause - when you get a chance please read page #1 and my post that talks about the gas and piping.

    In our house it makes sense (not gonna bore you w/ all the physics) downward compression usually makes gas rise, while running the faucet it creates a gas cloud - making it hard to determine if the order originated from the drain or the faucet. That's why we brought in a plumber who narrowed it down to incorrect installation of pipe/valve.

    I am going to send a PM/Email to each of you. I will need more information - as Van Metre will never consider this thread as an actual issue.
     
  16. phitnessfiend

    phitnessfiend New Member

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    I'll get LCSA out here to test it and let you know what I come up with.
     
  17. Lee

    Lee Permanent Vacation

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    Sounds like this possibly could be a vent issue.

    Hard to say until you have it checked out!!!!

    All Plumbing needs to be vented properly or it can cause issues. I don't know how old these homes are but the plumbing inspectors are usually very careful these days.

    Lee j
     
  18. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    Hi Lee - in Southern Walk, where it appears the majority of the issues are - the homes range from >2 months to 4+ years. Funny that the problem areas are the MasterBath & Powder room, however a few have mentioned their basement. (Van Metre did not finish our basement, as we are the 2nd owners, we hired another contractor in 2005)
     
  19. eam

    eam New Member

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    I don't think this problem is VM specific - I have heard lots of people around Ashburn with this same complaint, and cleaning the drain with bleach, lemon juice, etc every few months takes care of it. It does seem to be a drain/vent issue, usually in a bathroom sink, not the showers, toilets or kitchen sinks. Some in new houses, some from the mid-'90s...
     
  20. lako4

    lako4 New Member

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    We're on Inglewood in SW too, and have had this smell in our powder room since the house was built in '03. I've done the clorox thing every year or so. I know atleast two of my neighbors have the same problem. A VM plumbing contractor told me that it is bacteria that grow in the water that remains in the trap. I'm going to try the vineager/baking soda thing next time - seems like it might smell better than the clorox!
     

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