Any theories on why I get a sulfur smell from only one faucet cold side

House is on a well with softener/ filtration system

This is the 2nd time I heard of this scenario this month

The first time the problem faucet was the last fixture served by the cold water line

This time the fixture is almost the first one served by the cold line

These are different residential houses



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why it happens to the cold side ???

"The purpose of the anode rod is to draw corrosive minerals to it so that the rod corrodes instead of the inner lining of the tank. Many anode rods are made of magnesium or aluminum. When these rods corrode, the metals react with the sulfates in the water, turning the sulfate into stinky hydrogen sulfide.Feb 21, 2020"

I understand the function of an anode rod

I’m not sure why a sulfur smell comes from only 1 lavatory faucet cold side only in a master bathroom double bowl sink no other fixture serving water has any foul smell

recirculating line ????

Good thought but there is no visible recirculating line

Unless it is built into the tankless navien water heater

????? gremlins ?????



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Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
"Measure Twice & Cut Once"

Seems like it… I’m not fond of wells

New flex supply line on the cold side of that specific faucet?

?? New 'el cheapo' flex supply line ..... ??




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Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
"Measure Twice & Cut Once"

I’ve made similar suggestions to the homeowner

He doesn’t seem too worried about it now if I go back and and find the issue I will update you guys

I was just wondering if anyone else had any experience with this issue, thanks for the responses

Bernabeu that's exactly what I was thinking as I've seen and heard of that more than once. Not a sulphur odor however various other unpleasant odors and tastes coming from a newly installed "budget" (sometimes costing as much as top quality) supply flexes. Speaking as a plumbing supplier it can be tough to compete on the price of flexes as virtually everyone perceives that a flex is a flex ... as in all are basically alike when in fact virgin plastics do cost more than recycled plastics and so on.

for the typical DIYer:

IMO:

The ONLY advantage a s/s braided 'flex' has over a semi rigid PEX connector is the s/s braid 'generally' prevents a pet from chewing through the connector and causing a flood.

The s/s braid is merely a 'decorative' cover over the oft cheap vinyl or other plastic liner.

A 'true' flex connector is a corrugated metallic tube.

Which serves no real purose when compared to a 'speedy connector'. - Chrome plated annealled Cu tube.


So, it takes an extra 5 minutes to 'do it right' using a speedy.


HOWEVER


'Some'/'most' faucet manufacturers no longer supply a 'shank nut' with the new faucet - so, unless one can reuse a previous nut ..................................


A 'typical' best practice install:


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Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
"Measure Twice & Cut Once"



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If the odor only happens when the water is cold, chances are there is an iron bacteria infestation. Iron bacteria are common in water found in well systems, and survive during the winter by hunkering down and hibernating. When the water is released from it's storage tank in the spring and is warmer than the surrounding ground, it wakes up and starts eating - hence the smell. The cure is to treat the water with an oxidizer, which can be found at a pool supply store. The water must be treated at the source, so you will need to attach a garden hose to the output of the pressure tank and run the hose to a location where you can add the oxidizer. Follow the instructions on the package. If the water is already softened and filtered, you will probably have to have the water tested for Iron bacteria by the local health department or water quality testing laboratory. If Iron bacteria is the problem, you will need to treat the water for at least one full year, if not longer. You do not need to shock the system by dumping bleach into the well, as bleach will not kill the bacteria, and will instead create a potentially harmful condition.

... live and learn ...

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Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
"Measure Twice & Cut Once"

Zheilaf thanks for your input.

I believe that the reason that I and some others question this is because bsipps only experiences the sulfur smell coming out of one single faucet on the cold side,

To me IF the sulphur smell was coming out of most of the faucets, hosebibbs, etc THEN I certainly would accept that the bacteria is the cause.

What do think about the fact that bsipps only has the sulphur smell coming out of one single faucet and not all faucers, etc?

Water from well systems frequently contains iron bacteria, which hibernate and hunker down in the winter to survive. It awakens and begins to feed when the water is released from its storage tank in the spring and is warmer than the surrounding ground, which causes the scent. A pool supply store will have an oxidizer that can be used to treat the water as a remedy.Thanks