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If you have a gas boiler at home, you may have noticed a peculiar smell that resembles rotten eggs. Such rotten eggs smell from boiler is often associated with natural gas, which is usually odourless. However, gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan to natural gas to give it a distinctive smell, making it easier to detect leaks.
If you smell rotten eggs from your boiler, it’s essential to take immediate action to ensure your boiler’s safety and prevent any potential hazards. In this article, we will discuss the causes and solutions of a rotten egg smell from a boiler.
What Gas Smells Like Rotten Eggs?
As mentioned earlier, natural gas is usually odourless. However, gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan to natural gas to give it a distinctive smell, making it easier to detect leaks. Mercaptan is a sulphur-based compound added to natural gas that gives boiler a smell, similar to rotten eggs or sulphur.
Causes of Rotten Eggs Smell from Boiler
If you smell a rotten eggs smell from your boiler, it could be due to several reasons, including:
Gas Leak
A gas leak is the most common cause of a rotten eggs smell from a boiler. If you suspect a gas leak, it’s essential to evacuate your home immediately and call your gas supplier or emergency services.
Debris in the Burners
Burner debris can smell like rotten eggs. The debris can prevent gas from burning properly, generating a sulphur-like stench.
Faulty Heat Exchanger
Rotten eggs might also signal heat exchanger failure. The heat exchanger heats boiler water from gas. Sulphur-like odours may result from its issues.
Air in the System
Air in the system might also smell like rotten eggs. Air in the system might prevent petrol from burning properly, generating a sulphur-like smell.
Debris in the Flue
Burner debris may generate rotting egg smells. The debris may hamper petrol combustion, giving it a sulphur smell.
What boiler smells should I look out for?
Rotten eggs smell
The smell of gas is commonly called ‘eggy’.
Since gas has no smell, people cannot detect it. The National Gas Grid treats household gas with methyl mercaptan. For safety, mix this chemical with odourless gas to detect gas leaks early. The smell is petrol-like sulphur.
If you can detect a rotten egg-like smell coming from your boiler, don’t ignore it.
What to do if:
There’s a rotten egg smell coming from your boiler
- If you notice a rotten egg boiler smell which seems to be emerging from your boiler or any other gas appliance in your home, it could mean that you have a gas leak.
- Locate your gas shut-off or Emergency Control Valve (typically adjacent to your gas metre or at your flat’s entrance) and isolate your gas supply.
- If switching off your supply isn’t possible, open windows and doors to ventilate and lower gas pressure. Call the Emergency Gas Helpline now.
Your hot water smells like rotten eggs
- Suppose you are running the hot tap, and the water smells a bit ‘eggy’.
- Your system may have a bacterial infection. If left unchecked, this could cause boiler issues, so fix it immediately.
- Bacteria like warm, wet conditions. Bacteria love hot water systems and can take over. Insufficient boiler heat causes this.
- Vacationing and leaving your boiler on standby are other typical mistakes. Bacteria thrive at 20–45 degrees Celsius, thus boilers in this range might draw a colony.
- Additionally, Legionella infections are more probable. Health and Safety Standards recommend keeping boiler or hot water cylinder temperatures above 60ºC to avoid microbial development.
Solutions for Rotten Eggs Smell from Boiler
To avoid safety issues, respond immediately if your boiler smells like rotten eggs. This article discusses boiler rotten egg smell causes and treatments.
Evacuate Your Home
Gas leaks need evacuation and notification of your gas provider or emergency services.
Check the Burners
Check the burners for any debris. If you find any, clean them thoroughly.
Check the Heat Exchanger
Check the heat exchanger for any faults. If you find any, contact a professional to repair or replace it.
Bleed the System
If air is trapped in the system, bleed the system to release the air.
Check the Flue
Check the flue for any debris in order to avoid rotten eggs smell from boilers. If you find any, clean it thoroughly.
Preventing Rotten Eggs Smell from Boiler
If you want to protect yourself and minimise threats, your boiler should not smell like rotten eggs. How to avoid the rotten eggs smell from boiler, take the following preventive measures:
Regular Maintenance
Boiler maintenance is necessary for proper operation. Schedule expert boiler maintenance to keep it in excellent condition and to avoid rotten eggs smell from boilers.
Check for Leaks
Check for gas leaks often. Contact your gas provider or emergency services immediately if you discover any.
Clean the Burners
Cleaning burners on a regular basis will help keep debris off them.
Frequently Check the Heat Exchanger
Regularly check the heat exchanger for issues. If any, get it fixed or replaced by a professional.
Regularly Bleed the System
Bleed the system regularly to release any air trapped in the system.
Check the Flue Occasionally
Check the flue regularly for any debris. If you find any, clean it thoroughly.
When to Call a Professional
Make an expert contact right away if you detect a gas leak rotten eggs smell from boiler. The odour in your boiler can be identified by an expert. They are also capable of inspecting and repairing boiler components.
Conclusion
A rotten egg-smelling boiler may have a gas leak or other safety hazards. If you feel rotten eggs smell from boilers, act immediately to avoid safety issues. To avoid rotten egg smells from boiler, it needs regular maintenance, leak checks, hob cleaning, heat exchanger checks, system bleeding, and flue inspections. If the scent isn’t obvious, have a professional examine your boiler.
