Water faucet amonia odor

[Wheelhouse]

Sometimes when we stop and setup, we turn the water on and a odor like ammonia will blast out of the faucets? We run the water for while and seems to go away. Anyone have any idea what's causing this? Sometimes its there and other times not?? mystery to me. That ammonia blast is almost enough to take your breath away and knock your sox off.

[jcurtis934]

The only place that ammonia is used is in the cooling unit of the rv fridge...and if you never check behind the lower outside fridge vent, you should. Obviously, you don't want to see yellow residue anywhere on or near the coils. You also do not want to detect ammonia in any amount there. Getting odors out of cold and hot water taps is a sign of bacteria production in the lines, fresh water tank (if used),etc. You can get some rotten egg smell out of the water heater and if persistent, you need to cycle some chlorine from the city water hose and into both hot and cold water lines. I see lots of people that don't use a qualty water filtration system for the city water hookup to their rvs...but I wouldn't do it. If you are unsure what ammonia smells like, go to the grocery store and buy a small bottle so you can calibrate your nose to it. Good luck. John

[DarMar]

I would first try sanitizing my rv water system. 1/2 cup.of bleach added to the fresh water tank. Then run solution thru all facets and let sit overnight for 12 hours. After that drain tank, fill and completely flush your system. IMHO this should be done every six months.

[K0LCB]

I would suspect the water heater

[WeBeFulltime]

quote:Originally posted by DarMar

I would first try sanitizing my rv water system. 1/2 cup.of bleach added to the fresh water tank. Then run solution thru all facets and let sit overnight for 12 hours. After that drain tank, fill and completely flush your system. IMHO this should be done every six months.

Sorry, but I'm a very curious type person. Why is a chlorine solution only effective at night?

[1retired06]

because if you do it during the day, and use any water you dilute the solution.

[DarMar]

And it's just more convenient to do it at night when one doesn't require use of the chlorinated water in your system except maybe for the washroom. Flush it all out first thing in the morning and you are good to go.

[Lenny K]

Yup. Flush out your hot water tank and add bleach and let set as others having been suggesting.

[DQDick]

I would also check the anode rod. In home situations that smell tells you the anode rod is shot if you have an electric water heater.

[Rondo]

You beat me to it Dick! I was about to post that same thing. IF they are running off of electric all the time and have not changed the anode rod for a long time and it has used itself up that will cause that ammonia smell. Check that rod and see if there is anything left. If not or if it is near gone CHANGE IT immediately. But before doing so, turn off your electric supply to the water heater both inside and the switch on the heater itself on the outside, let it cool down, remove the anode rod, rinse the heater out good and replace the rod. Let the heater fill back up but open the overflow valve so you get all air out of the heater. Turn the switches back on and let the water heat up and see if you still have that smell.