A moldy or musty smell in the water usually means organic growth in the system. The odor is a sign to flush, sanitize, and find the source.
The growth
Biofilm and bacteria in the pipes can create a moldy odor. freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older rowhomes have aging supply lines In Washington, the smell often appears in unused lines.
The unused line
Water that sits in an infrequently used pipe grows the film behind the smell. freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older rowhomes have aging supply lines In Washington, flushing the line clears it.
The heater
A low-temperature water heater can host the bacteria. freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older rowhomes have aging supply lines In Washington, raising the setting and flushing helps.
The fixtures
Aerators and hoses can harbor the growth, adding to the odor. freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older rowhomes have aging supply lines In Washington, cleaning the fixtures removes a source.
The drains
The drain may be the smell's home rather than the water. freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older rowhomes have aging supply lines In Washington, check the trap before treating the water.
The fix
Sanitizing the system and flushing the lines removes the growth. freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older rowhomes have aging supply lines In Washington, a pro can do the sanitize.
The call
Get the moldy smell out of the water. Call 888-217-3585 and Washington Plumbing Experts will match you with a Washington pro who tests.
Plumbing in Washington: what to know
In Washington, freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older rowhomes have aging supply lines. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across District of Columbia County — from Mount Rainier, Hyattsville and Takoma Park to ZIP codes like 20001, 20535, 20005 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Washington?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Washington Plumbing Experts will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Washington.