Water heater is a beneficial home appliance that many people install in their houses. Well, since it has many ‘fans’, the manufacturer of the water heater makes it possible for the appliance to be powered on several combustion fuels. One of them is by using natural gas to heat the water before the users can use it.
It may seem cool but it’s still not free from problems, such as water heater smells like gas.
Hot Water Heater Exhaust Smells like Gas
You may wonder what it takes for the water heater to emit a gas-like smell. Is it a regular occurrence, or is it a type of warning you should notice right away?
To be straightforward, it is not common to have the water smell like gas. Some people take it as a ‘rotten egg’ smell. Some random guys will also say that a gas water heater smells like carbon monoxide. Whichever way you address it, this is the same situation that emphasizes that there is a problem. That said, this kind of ‘error’ should light the alarm for checking.
What may cause the gas-like smell? According to several sources, this occurrence may occur due to the gas leaking, which later will link you to a conclusion that there is something wrong with either other HVAC items or the water heater in your house. Aside from that, another bet to make is that there is a gas combustion issue.
One of the signs of a gas leak is the smell itself, often described as similar to rotten eggs. This odor is due to hydrogen sulfide gas, a byproduct of natural gas leaks. If you notice this smell, it’s crucial to act quickly to ensure the safety of everyone in the household.
Read also: How to Flush a Gas Water Heater
What should you do if water heater smells like gas? This procedure can be used if you are facing a similar occurrence:
- First, don’t panic. Start by shutting off the gas supply to prevent further leakage.
- Leave your house, and you should call emergency services or the gas company. If possible, do it as soon as possible before the leaking gas gets spread more and more—which will be dangerous. Tell them whether there is leaking or not.
- Once the problem is all set, consider calling water heater professionals to repair the leak. If it is required for a fix or replacement, that will be better to stick with their opinion.
Additionally, during a gas leak, it’s advised to turn off the gas to the appliance, open all doors and windows to ventilate the area and listen for any unusual hissing sound that could indicate a leak from the gas line or the water heater itself.
Tankless Hot Water Heater Smells Like Gas
A tankless heater can be helpful for individuals or families with no vast house space. Like its rival water heater with a tank, the tankless water heater has a product that uses gas for its combustion fuel.
Interestingly, when your tankless heater smells just like gas, it is normal—but only if this occurrence happens in new water heaters. But it should not persist for a long time. You should consider talking about this occurrence to the professional if the gas smell continues to exist after one or two days.
So, what can you do to deal with this? Aside from getting a professional who will help you deal with the problem in no time, you can consider changing the gas line, which has protective polymers on it. This may cost you higher, but you know that it can be worth the investment.
But if you are not sure what to do when the water heater smells like gas, there’s nothing wrong with calling a professional. You may be required to pay a bit more, but you get your house safe. That’ll be a better option for you.
