Sewer Smell coming from pipes connected to hot water heater

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hedwards25

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Hi! I have a PVC pipe in my pantry (where hot water heater is located) and a pipe from the hot water heater enters there. I believe a plumber said it was the relief valve/pipe? Anyway, there is a terrible smell coming from it. It used to come occasionally (but never where I could figure out if it was when I ran hot water, or it rained, etc). The last plumber to come out said maybe a trap was dry and air was getting out so I should pour water in every time I smelled it. Well...i did that for a week and it's worse than ever. Smells nearly constantly and stronger rather than coming and going.

Would appreciate any advice. As a side note, the water coming from faucets smells fine.
 

Reach4

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Are you saying that the smell comes from the pipe that comes out of your water heater, and has the lower end open about 6 inches above the floor or at a floor drain? Maybe you are saying the smell appears to come either from that pipe or from the floor drain. Could there be a dead mouse nearby?

You use city water?

You are in an area that freezes?
 

FullySprinklered

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Water heaters have a hot going out, a cold coming in, and a pop-off line going outdoors as a safety pressure relief passage.
Someone, let's call him a dork, may have tied the pressure/temperature relief valve into a convenient waste line which is usually filled with fumes unmentionable. This may be the source of the gagalicious perfumery.
 
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