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Author:
gilberj (AL)
I have a home that is less than a year old in Alabama. We have PEX pipes and a wierd "acetone" or chemical smell. Being that PEX is run off copper with a mechanical rather than chemical attachment, what could cause this? The plumber has no idea. I've resorted to bringing in a chemical testing company to identify the chemical. It's so strong we don't use any upstairs bathrooms.
Thanks.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
No clue here. Where are you getting the smell?
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Author:
packy (MA)
the local plumbing inspector should be very interested in your problem. i would also call the manufacturers representative. get the brand of pex (it is printed on the tubing) and call your local supply house to get the rep's name and telephone number.
if they think it is their problem, they will call in the appropriate agency to test things. with the plumbing inspector looking over their shoulder, there won't be any lame excuses.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
I'm thinking under the bathroom sink over the empty bottle of fingernail polish remover lying on its side with a loose cap?
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Author:
gilberj (AL)
No fingernail polish under the sink, this smell comes out of hot and cold water in upstairs bathrooms only.
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Author:
Dunbar (KY)
If you have flex supply lines feeding that faucet, replace them and see if that resolves the problem.
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Author:
FatJohnny
If you let the water run for a minute or tow, does the smell/taste go away and return after you let the water sit in the pipes again for a period of time?
FatJohnny
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Author:
joint-runner (MA)
It can't be the Pex....all brands have been heavly tested...no odor...nothing from this Product... it's your water.
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Author:
Crash
If it was the pipe, the water would smell at every faucet....Time to play detective about why it is only in one room. Good luck (I hate looking for smells!)
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Author:
redwood (CT)
My thoughts Zackly Crash!
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Author:
PeteJohnson (CA)
Just a thought but if it is the water and it is only in the upstairs then the problem is a gas since it will rise in the plumbing system. This can only be tested for on-site. Gas in a water sample may dissipate if sent to a lab.
Please feel free to correct me...
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Author:
Local101 Plumber
It can't be the pex, they've done so much testing? They said the same thing about Orangeberg pipe, blue poly, diptubes, and quest.......
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Author:
menornbury (NH)
We're having the same type of problem. We live in a duplex and some of the cold water tubing was replaced on the other side and the 'connecting' cold water tubing to the two units. The smell that comes from our faucets/shower smells to me like diesel! I gained access to cellar of the other unit and noticed that they had installed the blue PEX to all the cold water tubing with the execption of the cold water connecting tubing; it is replaced with 3/4" white flex. 'sharkbite' tubing. It seems that this white tubing is our problem as the other unit does not have the diesel smell in their water. I contacted the plumber who informed me that they ran out of the PEX and used the 'sharkbite' tubing in its place. Keeping my fingers crossed as they are going to replace that tubing today and hopefully this will take care of the problem.
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Author:
ajwhelton (AL)
Feel free to contact me if you are still having this issue. I have a group of students working on identifying the chemicals responsible for specific odors from plastic drinking water piping. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation.
[www.southce.org]
ajwhelton@southalabama.edu
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Author:
weyoung (AL)
We got our Pex pipe perhaps a year ago and only now have the odor. It is in every faucet upstairs and downstairs. I have taken water samples early in the morning in case water standing in the pipes might have the smell; however, when I opened the sealed jars later in the day, there was no chemical odor. I called Roto Rooter who sent me a knowledgeable plumber; he went with me and verified it was not a sulphur smell, so is not the heating unit in the hot water heater (but he drained the hot water heater just for a double check). The smell comes after the water in any faucet has run for about 30 seconds. By the end of a shower, the smell in the shower water is gone. We checked the vents but the main vent appears not to be clogged. No traps are dry. Interestingly, in our efforts to pinpoint the problem, we did pour straight bleach down the drains, and there was an EXPLOSION of the smell throughout the house such that we had to open all the windows. The Roto Rooter plumber compared the sharpness of the smell with that of cat pee, and, of course, we don't have a cat--and I've lived here for 16 years. It is embarrassing to have this smell. I can't help but worry there is something harmful in the water. I hope someone has some good idea. I like the idea of the inspector, and I will also contact my water supplier while I wait to hear from someone on this blog.
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Author:
Tee (NY)
I am currently having the same exact problem with all of the faucets in my entire house including the tub, shower, and toilets. The smell is similar to cat urine. It is only in the cold water. If I run the water for a few minutes the smell goes away, but when I turn it on again in five minutes the smell is back. I have had my water tested and there's no problem with it. My plumber is dumbfounded. Did you find a solution to this problem with the water in your home? I am desperate and at my wits end. Please help! Thank you.
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Author:
dclearyea (CA)
Same here. Just purchased this home which has all new PEX plumbing. We are starting to notice a "plastic" type of smell in the bathroom as we've been using the water over the last couple of months. Will this eventually go away? Seems to be getting worse.
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Author:
christinevandervort (PA)
Hello! Did you ever figure out what was causing your issue here? I'm in the same boat, and don't see a resolution posted anywhere on this forum!
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