DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

sulfur smell in hot water

7K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  plumguy 
G
#1 ·
We have a strong sulfur smell in the hot water upon return to a house after an extented period of non-use. What can we do to address this?

Thanks,

GMT
 
#3 ·
Stinky Water

Ron in Southern Md. said:
Drain the hot water heater is the immediate solution the long term solution is to install a water softener. A water filter will not correct this.
Replace the anode. Search on "stinky water" and find an anode different from the one that's in there. (Aluminum anodes are worst, IIRC.)

Replacing the anode must be done with care, after draining the water tank. A plumber can do it in ten minutes. OTOH, an unknowing one could, accidentally, could send an anode through the roof.
 
#4 ·
The problem is very common and it is caused by bacteria that has grown in you're heater and lines. Most manufacturers recommend draining the heater,removing the anode and pouring 1 gallon of household bleach for every 30 gallons of heater capacity into the tank thru the anode opening. Install new anode, fill heater and then thoroughly flush the heater and lines. They also make a non toxic chlorine for this if you are not comfortable with using bleach. Check the make of you're heater and see if they have a web site that will confirm these instructions for you.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top