Only hot water smells like sulfur: If the sulfur smell is present only when you use hot water, the problem could be caused by chemical reactions coming from your hot water heater. Most hot water heaters contain a metal rod called an anode. These rods help eliminate corrosion in your water heater tank.
Can a hot water heater make your water smell like rotten eggs?
The most common odor problem from water heaters is a rotten egg smell that comes out of your faucets and fixtures when running water. This smell is typically caused by sulfate bacteria that can develop within the tank.
How do I stop my hot water heater from smelling?
If the cold water does not contain odors, but the hot water smells bad, then a thorough sanitizing of the water heater tank with 1 to 2 pints of store-bought hydrogen peroxide will eliminate the odor and smell from the water heater.
How do I get rid of the rotten egg smell in my hot water heater?
To get rid of the bad odor, you’ll want to contact a plumber to flush and disinfect your tank. Doing so will remove the bacteria and particles that create hydrogen sulfide. During a water heater flush, a plumber can replace your anode rod if it is corroded to prevent the smell in the future.
How do I fix my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
How to Get Rid of Rotten Egg Smell in Water
- Flushing Your Tank Out. …
- Using Chlorine. …
- Replacing Your Anode Rod. …
- Installing a Water Softening System. …
- Replacing Your Water Heater.
Why does only my hot water smell like sulfur?
Only hot water smells like sulfur: If the sulfur smell is present only when you use hot water, the problem could be caused by chemical reactions coming from your hot water heater. Most hot water heaters contain a metal rod called an anode. These rods help eliminate corrosion in your water heater tank.
What neutralizes sulfur smell?
Chlorine bleach can effectively remove medium to high levels (over 6 mg/l) of hydrogen sulfide. The chlorine in the bleach chemically reacts with (oxi- dizes) the hydrogen sulfide eliminating the “rotten egg” odor. Chlorine bleach also reacts with iron or manganese, and disinfects water supplies.
Why does only one faucet smell like rotten eggs?
If it only smells like sulfur when the water’s hot, the source is probably a chemical reaction inside your water heater. If it stinks when running cold water, it’s most likely due to high levels of sulfur bacterium and hydrogen sulfide gas in the water itself.
Can I shower if my water smells like rotten eggs?
Bad News Bacteria
Sulfate-reducing bacteria, a bunch of nasty guys that, other than their offensive scent, are mostly harmless, are usually the cause of a rotten egg smell in the shower. They live in damp places without air creating hydrogen sulfide gas as a byproduct of their appetite for sulfate minerals.
Will running hot water get rid of smell?
Remove this terrible smell from your drinking water by: Run the water faucet for a few minutes and the odor should disappear.
Will a water softener remove sulfur smell?
It is better just to use a softener to soften the water and then have a separate system to remove the rotten egg odor, such as an Air Charger Sulfur Filter, or an Aeration Tank.
Can anode rod causing rotten egg smell?
The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor.
How do I test my water heater anode rod?
Open the spigot and drain a little water to relieve some pressure and heat inside the tank before opening the top for the anode rod. Next, go to the top of your water heater and look for a hex head bolt. If you don’t see the hex head, it’s likely built into your water heater system.
How often should you replace anode rod?
every 3-5 years
By replacing your anode rod every 3-5 years, your water heater can last well over 20 years without any risk of leaks and resulting water damage. Unfortunately, if you ignore this important water heater maintenance task, you may need to replace the entire water heater after only 10 years of use.
How do I get rid of hydrogen sulfide in my water heater?
Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for several hours. This will destroy the sulfur bacteria. Flushing to remove the dead bacteria after treatment should control the odor problem.
How do I add hydrogen peroxide to my hot water heater?
Simple Steps For How To Put Hydrogen Peroxide In Your Hot Water Heater
- Step 1: Turn Off the Water Heater. …
- Step 2: Don’t Let Any Water In. …
- Step 3: Relieve Tank Pressure. …
- Step 4: Drain Some Water. …
- Step 5: Disconnect Outlet Pipe. …
- Step 6: Add 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. …
- Step 7: Refill the Tank. …
- Step 8: Drain the Tank, Again.
How do you neutralize hydrogen sulfide?
When dealing with a hydrogen sulfide gas leak, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends using water to spray down the gas, then adding sodium bicarbonate to neutralize it.
