Propane Water Heater Smells Like Gas

At first notice thinking this smell was propane i sprayed soapy water around all the connections in the propane line at the water heater but found nothing leaking.

Propane water heater smells like gas. There are many smells that can result from hot water heater. First i would like to thank larryg for your response to my previous post. Is it normal for a hot water heater to smell like gas. This chemical has a distinct smell and is highly noticeable when a leak does exist.

Natural gas is odorless. It s normal for a propane odor to linger when lighting a stove or if the pilot light in a gas fireplace hot water heater or other appliance goes out. Natural gas and propane furnaces can both smell like gas if you do not have a natural gas furnace or a propane furnace then read no further this article is not for you. When you have rotten egg smell in your water heater this causing by bacteria react to aluminum or magnesium anodes that make corrosive elements due to water.

It s not a real strong smell but easily detectable. The question of why your furnace smells like gas is only applicable if you have one of these types of furnaces so if your electrical heater starts to smell like gas it probably isn t your heater. If you smell gas no flames or sparks. The short answer is no here s the long answer.

The smell in propane is not the gas itself but rather an added chemical methanethiol to make it noticible. Hydrogen sulfide gas produced by reducing bacteria is highly corrosive and can damage plumbing connections metal piping and well casing. One thing to remember. Since i have been paying attention to the hot water heater i have been noticing a very slight gas odor from the area.

If you smell your water heater like sulfur smell or what that called with rotten eggs smell then this can be signs for leak gas. Sometimes odors are more noticeable after a period of low water use. While any potential leak should be treated seriously be especially careful if the smell is particularly intense if it won t go away or if it is accompanied by a hissing sound. If your propane heater or other appliance gives off a gassy odor shut off the gas supply immediately and contact a professional to make sure a hazardous situation like a gas leak has not occurred.

There are two types of bacteria. Propane can cause a fire or explosion so make sure you are well away from the source of a possible leak before using your telephone to call your propane supplier appliance manufacturer or 911. Sulfur oxidizing and sulfur reducing.