Rotten egg smell for water heater

JaxDad wrote:
If the unit was used a lot in a c/g that had a well of its own, and was in an area where there's sulphur in the water, there will be a layer of sulphur-bearing silt in the bottom of the water heater.

Pull the drain plug and /or anode and use a strong stream from a garden hose directly in the tank hole. Bet a bunch of crud washes out.

Have had the problem a few times in the past, JaxDad's answer is the best solution I found. Backflush repeatadley till you smell sweet water. After that I've gotten in the habit of draining my water heater when I get home. Only take s a minute or two and no more problems. Just don't know what you are going to get in the water when traveling. That's why we drink bottled.

If the unit was used a lot in a c/g that had a well of its own, and was in an area where there's sulphur in the water, there will be a layer of sulphur-bearing silt in the bottom of the water heater.

Pull the drain plug and /or anode and use a strong stream from a garden hose directly in the tank hole. Bet a bunch of crud washes out.

When you flush the tank use one of these.

I flushed mine two days ago. The smell is gone.

Paul

I've had that happen before, usually when the water had been in there some time. A good flush or maybe a system sanitize with bleach should take care of the issue. That is of course if you don't leave water in there again for a long time. With regular use you should be okay.

Does it have a sacrificial anode?