Hot water smells bad

[SamGyseman]

Hot water from all my taps and the shower smells unpleasant, like perished, overheated rubber or rotten seaweed kind of smell. It's not a sulphurous smell. The water is clear in appearance but there were a few bits of matter that came out at first but haven't since. They were little clumps of powdery stuff, which when spread out it was indigo in colour and has no smell itself. This has been going on for 2 weeks, hasn't got any worse but it's embarrassing when I have guests and it's getting so that this odour is all I can smell or taste.
My cold water is clean and fresh.
Do you have any advice as to what this could be and how I can clean it up? Bear in mind I have no idea how to get at any of the connections or pipes for the hot water tank =(
I have been asking all over the place and haven't had a single response in a week.

 

[Kimou]

Taste? I wouldn't be tasting it, it could be contaminated. Presumably you have cold water storage cistern and cylinder. And perhaps you have a direct cold water system? Check to see if you have mains pressure on your bath taps by turning on the tap with your hand over the outlet. If it's storage you'll be able to prevent water coming out.

Does it go after replenishing the tank? Is it a communal cistern? Something could have died in the tank so check to see if it's sealed first.

 

[tamz]

You are going to have to get someone out to have a look at your hot water system. Without being on the job it is impossible to give an answer.

 

[SafeGasInstall]

list location to receive reactive response from a member here (if one available )

 

[diamondgas]

SamGyseman,

It sounds like a bacterial growth! What kind of heating system do you have? You need to get the hot water to above 60degC running through the hot tap to kill it off!

 

[diamondgas]

Check this out my friend http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080218195117AAqA4GM

That may help you understand 🙂

 

[Kimou]

Very insightful link, Diamond Gas. Bookmarked and appreciated.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Check this out my friend Why does the hot water smell like rotten eggs? - Yahoo! Answers

That may help you understand 🙂

well its either that,a dead mouse or rat,(seen it before)or wasps nest in the cwsc

 

[diamondgas]

well its either that,a dead mouse or rat,(seen it before)or wasps nest in the cwsc

Never crossed my mind to think of tank fed!!! Duuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr:dunce:

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Never crossed my mind to think of tank fed!!! Duuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr:dunce:

yes but the op has not told you what system they have yet either,your not psychic