Are you tired of dealing with egg water every time you shower? If you have found yourself here in search of exactly how to fix the smelly water issues we have some options to help you tackle the egg water smell.
Let’s dive in, How do you fix smelly hot water?
To fix smelly water you will need to flush your water heater, change the anode rod or replace the water heater. Let’s take a look at the steps you can follow to remedy your smelly hot water.
If your hot water smells like rotten eggs, it could be caused by bacteria growing in the water heater. Smelly hot water is an indication that there are some issues with your plumbing system. It could be a result of buildup in pipes, stagnant water or another issue. If you notice a bad smell when the hot water runs try these step to fix your smelly water heater issues. Check your water heater to see if it needs cleaning or repair.
Table of Contents
Flushing your Water Heater
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Heater’s Thermostat
Determining how to do this will depend on what model you have. Check the manual for specifics, but here are some general tips:
- The Off button on your water heater is usually located near the bottom.
- If you are working on an electric water heater, shut off the power to the unit by turning off a switch in your home’s breaker box.
- If your heater is older, you may need to relight the pilot light before it will work.
Step 2: Turn Off the Gas Supply
To flush a gas water heater, you need to switch off the valve that leads to your thermometer. Once this is done, proceed with step three.
Step 3: Turn Off the Water Supply
Near the top of your water heater, you’ll find a valve handle or switch that controls cold-water flow. Use it to turn off the cold water line.
Step 4: Turn On Your Hot Water In a Tub or Sink
Turn on the hot water nearest to your water heater and allow it to run until all of the hot water has been drained from that faucet. This will relieve pressure in your tank.
Step 5: Connect the Drainage Spigot
In order to flush out your hot water heater, you will need a garden hose and some safe containers. With one end of the hose attached to the drain spigot on your hot water heater, place it in a secure location where it can be directed into some sort of container so that no mess is made while draining occurs.
Step 6: Turn on the Spigot and Drain
When flushing your water heater, keep an eye on the draining water. You won’t want to stop until it runs clear (or as close to clear as possible).
If your water is discolored or has sediment coming out, it’s time to flush your water heater. If the problem continues even after you’ve flushed the unit, drain it and refill with a fresh supply of clean water.
Step 7: Flush
To flush your water heater, turn on the cold-water spout and let it run for a few minutes. Keep an eye on the water that’s coming out of the hose—you’re looking for clear liquid rather than sediment or discoloration.
Step 8: Adding Descaler
Adding a descaler is part of the water heater’s descaling process and cleaning routine, but it can also help remove sediment that has built up inside the tank.
After draining your hot water tank, pour a gallon or so of vinegar through it. Close the drain valve and allow this solution to soak for at least six hours before flushing all of it out. Before restoring power to your unit, be sure that you’ve flushed any remaining vinegar from inside its components
After Flushing Your Water Heater
First, turn off your cold water spout and then turn off the hot water you turned on in a nearby faucet. Turn the cold water on instead.
If you have completed all the steps, cold water should be running from your tap. Turn off the faucet and turn on your gas heater (if applicable), relighting its pilot light if necessary. Then reset your thermometer, which you may need to do after turning an electric breaker back on again.
How to Change an Anode Rod on Water Heater?
A tank-type water heater contains a thin metal rod called the anode rod, which is made of magnesium and partially submerged in water. This element exists only to protect your hot-water system from rust. The anode rod prevents the corrosion of water heater tanks, plumbing and fixtures. The anode rod is designed to corrode in place before any other materials in the tank. When this happens, it’s time to replace the rod with a new one. The anode rod is a sacrificial piece of metal; it corrodes instead of your heater tank. When the magnesium rod corrodes, it gives off electrons that protect your water heater’s inner tank from rusting.
Step 1
Inspect the water heater for anode rod. It will likely be located on top of the unit, but some have them in other places. The most common type has a hexagonally shaped plug screwed into one end that sticks out from the tank; others are simply nipple-shaped tubes attached to hot water outlets.
Step 2
Make sure that the power supply to your water heater has been turned off. If it isn’t, and air comes in contact with the heating element, it may burn out.For a gas heater, turn the knob that controls the flow of natural gas to its lowest setting. Do not shut off all supply or risk having to relight pilot lights.
Step 3
Turn off the cold water supply valve to the heater.
Step 4
Connect a regular garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your heater. Then lead it outside or down through an open drain where you can safely dispose of the hot water that drains from your tank during this process. If your anode rod is located on the top of the heater, you will only need to drain the tank about a quarter of the way, no more than half. If your anode rod is located on the side, you will need to drain the tank until the water level is below the anode rod port.
Step 5
Find a faucet that is close to the water heater, turn on its hot water supply, and use it to relieve pressure in your tank by releasing air. This will break the vacuum inside of your unit so you can loosen the anode.
Step 6
Use a 1-1/16″ socket wrench or breaker bar on the hex nut to remove the anode. The anode rod is usually kept inside the heater for several years, so it may be hard to remove. Try using a breaker bar or try tightening slightly—that might help loosen the threads
Step 7
To remove the anode, lift it out of water heater. If there is not enough space above the heater for you to do this without bending it first, then bend the anode slightly before removing it. You will want to go back with a flexible anode rod. This type of rod will be easier to install and change out in the future. If the anode rod won’t fit through the inlet because it has corroded, simply put it back into place. It doesn’t need to be replaced and is doing its job; however, if corrosion has caused most of the anode rod to break off then you should replace with a new one.
Step 8
Wrap the threads of a new anode rod with PTFE thread sealing tape in a clockwise direction if holding the rod and looking at the threads or counterclockwise if standing position is used. Only about five to six wraps around each section should be sufficient.
Step 9
Insert the new anode rod. Most rods are straight and difficult to bend, but flexible rods can be used if space is limited. Tighten the new anode with your closed end wrench or 1-1/16″ socket wrench and ratchet. Again, to prevent damaging the pipe connections, have someone else hold onto the heater so it won’t move as you tighten this component.
Step 10
Open the cold-water supply to refill the tank. Leave the faucet on that we mentioned earlier, in its hot position. When the tank is full, water will flow out of the faucet. Let it run until all of the air in the tank has been released—you should hear bubbles coming up through your tap as you do this. When there’s no more air in the line you are good to go. Double check for any leaks on the connections on water heater.
Step 11
Turn the power switch on for electric, or adjust the thermostat back to its original setting. Relight water heater if needed.
Replacing the Water Heater
Things to consider when dealing with a smelly water issues. Consider the age of the water heater, investing time and money in and older heater may not be worth it. Especially if you are hiring a professional plumber to come flush an older tank. If you have a new heater and have hard water we suggest for our clients to flush the water heater once a year before the sediment has time to really build up.