skunk water smell

After trying to back flush my old TT a few times, I've gotten in the habit of draining the heater when I get home. No problems since.

Reelay wrote:
Has anyone had a bad smell coming from their hot water tank after the water has been in the tank for six weeks or so? I drain all our tanks when we get home after a trip but never have drained the hot water tank other than winterizing the trailer. But I have left water in their before for even longer periods of time before without any bad smell coming out of the hot water tank. Guess I will have to start draining it along with the other tanks.

For what it is worth, here is a quote form the Atwood Water Heater Manual:

"FLUSHING TO REMOVE UNPLEASANT ODOR

A rotten egg odor (hydrogen sulfide) may be produced when the electro
galvanic action of the cladding material releases hydrogen from the
water. if sulfur is present in the water supply the two will combine and produce an unpleasant smell.

1. Turn off main water supply. Drain the water heater tank and reinstall drain plug. Remove the pressure-temperature relief valve. Mix solution of 4 parts white vinegar to two parts water. With a funnel, carefully pour solution into tank.

2. Cycle water heater with the above solution, letting it run under normal operation 4-5 times.

3. Remove the drain plug and thoroughly drain all water from the tank.
Flush the water heater to remove any sediment. You may flush the tank
with air pressure or fresh water. Pressure may be applied through either the inlet or outlet valves on the rear of the tank or through the pressure temperature relief valve coupling located on the front of the unit."

Reelay wrote:
Thanks to all of you for the replies I will replace anode rod when we get home, { which I haven't done in several years just cleaned it and reinserted it trying to be a cheap skate} Also I will drain the tank again and do the bleach thing.
Sitting in a RV park now with outside temps at 105* here in Oregon, go figure! The parks circuit breakers keep flipping off so I have to get up off my dead -ss and go reset it lol!!
Thanks again!!!

Minimize your electric load and pedestal breaker should stop tripping.

IF anode rod is magnesium it could be reacting with micros in the water source.
Otherwise.......no need to change until anode rod is 75% gone.
Cleaning them off and reusing is OK
A good drain/flush of WH tank should clean it up

Thanks to all of you for the replies I will replace anode rod when we get home, { which I haven't done in several years just cleaned it and reinserted it trying to be a cheap skate} Also I will drain the tank again and do the bleach thing.
Sitting in a RV park now with outside temps at 105* here in Oregon, go figure! The parks circuit breakers keep flipping off so I have to get up off my dead -ss and go reset it lol!!
Thanks again!!!

Replace Anode rod.

Check the Anode rod. It made my water smell like rotten eggs. Drain the tank and then unscrew the rod and remove. If you try to remove the rod without draining, the pressure will blow the crud all over you! I was surprised to see that the rod was all eaten up with corrosion after only three years. After replacing with a new rod the smell was gone.:B

I removed fittings and put as much vinegar as possible in my water heater and let it sit for a day. A lot of yellow water came through and the smell was gone.

Might have to sanitize it. Drain your fresh water and hot water tanks, fill the fresh about 1/4 full, add a cup of bleach and then empty it with the pump by leaving a hot water faucet on. That will run the bleach & water through the hot water tank. Then fill the fresh tank & rinse everything by running it dry. Everyone should do this once a year.

This is very common if you are not using treated city water. Drain and flush a couple of times and you should be fine.