we changed the anode. it helped for about 1 month , what else can we do, its really bad,
2006-08-07 14:59:31 · 10 answers · asked by axelrod 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
George has this right with a flush but you should NOT have to change your elements. YOU WILL need to leave the tank off heat for two days.
This is a common bacteria that grows in hot water! It temporarily stopped when you changed the anode because it thrives on the electrons it releases. Your anode is a magnesium rod that helps protect the water heater by corroding instead of the tank lining. Sulfor reducing bacterias (SRBs) are nourished by electrons released from the anode as it corrodes.
Turn off the water heater and flush it by running (the now cold) water through your hot faucets.
The way the water heater manufacturer's tell you to correct it is by shocking the water heater with chlorine. BUT- you are not a plumber- you have to disconnect it and such to do that.
Turn it off for two days and make sure you run a full tubs worth of water through it about three times a day for those two days.
If you check out RHEEM's website, they actually have this solution in there maintenance section. iIt is a common problem that some people blame on the water heater.
I manage 3200 units of public housing and have to do this 12-15 times a year at various sites.
Now some sites tell you to SUPERHEAT the water to 160 degrees as the SRBs cannot live above 145 or so. BUT this presents an explosion and scald hazard/.
Good luck!
2006-08-07 16:19:44 · answer #1 · answered by Frust Parent 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try flushing the tank.
1. Turn off the breakers and give the tank plenty of time to cool down.
2. Turn off the facets that supply water to the tank and out to the hot water lines.
3. Run a garden hose to the faucet on the tank and drain it to the outside.
4. With the hose still on, open the cold supply valve and flush the tank well.
5. Close the drain and open the supply and hot line faucets and flip your breakers back on.
If your tank is a two element heater you may have to replace them both.
George A.
2006-08-07 22:10:47 · answer #2 · answered by George A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some water chemistry reacts to the magnesium anode rods in a very smelly way. See if you can get an aluminum anode rod from your dealer or plumbing professional.
2006-08-07 23:51:01 · answer #3 · answered by Lance H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn the heat up a bit on the water heater,
Drain the tank, etc..
I've had this problem in the past as well, it generally came from not cycling the water in the tank often enough, ie: not using enough hot water.. however increasing the heat in the tank to a level that does not allow for bacterial growth fixed it for me.
2006-08-07 22:05:25 · answer #4 · answered by tcindie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you try heating some of the cold water and see if it smells bad too? If not, then either your hot water heater is infested with something nasty or your hot water plumbing.
2006-08-07 22:04:46 · answer #5 · answered by Larry 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you have mineral build up inside your tank. It may be sulfur since it really stinks. If it is mineral build up, you will probably have to replace your tank if you can't flush it out. Also this will happen again, unless you invest in a water conditioning system. Sorry to say, it will be fairly expensive, but you really may not have any other option.
2006-08-07 22:09:53 · answer #6 · answered by chynna30_2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If It is due to a high concentration of Iron...Which is very likely!...You can use a water softener!...Talk to a reputable Plumber 1st to accurately diagnose the problem.
Worked for me!
2006-08-07 22:04:58 · answer #7 · answered by AlbertaGuy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask your city if there is a problem with your water.
2006-08-07 22:05:16 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Tom♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a new hot water tank????
2006-08-07 22:02:48 · answer #9 · answered by elliecute2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe its heating up a bacteria or fungus or something?
2006-08-07 22:02:13 · answer #10 · answered by strictly_maggie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋