Very often, replacing the standard magnesium or aluminum anode rod with an aluminum/zinc alloy anode will solve the problem. The zinc is a key ingredient, since pure aluminum anodes will also reek to high heaven.
A zinc anode rod however is useful for combating rotten egg smell (sulfur) that may come from the water. If you experience a rotten egg smell then an upgrade to a zinc anode rod may be a good idea. choosing the right anode rod mainly comes down to the level of hardness in your water.
Get rid of the anode rod and replace it with a CorroProtec powered anode rod. It lasts for 20 years, eliminates the sulfur stink immediately and permanently. No need to keep treating the tank with peroxide or chlorine over and over. It's a once and done fix! It's the magnesium anode rod that promotes the stink.
Yes , aluminum with zinc. Aluminum rods mixed with zinc will help remove sulfur dioxide smells (rotten eggs) from water, .
Material Composition: The choice between aluminum, magnesium, and zinc for anode rods depends on water composition and personal preference. Aluminum rods are durable and ideal for hard water areas but may not be suitable for homes with softened water due to their slower reaction rate.
In summary, the main difference between magnesium and aluminum anode rods is that magnesium anode rods are more efficient in soft water and have a shorter lifespan, while aluminum anode rods are more efficient in hard water and have a longer lifespan.
Selecting your new anode rod should be based on your water's condition and your budget. For example, to get rid of bacteria causing your water to smell foul, go with a zinc/aluminum or electric anode rod. For the most economical choice, magnesium is the way to go – but be ready to replace it again in a few short years.
Disconnect the cold water inlet piping on top of the hot water heater. Drain approximately one gallon of water from the drain valve located on the lower side of the water heater. Add liquid household bleach to the water heater at the cold water inlet. Use a half gallon of bleach for a 40-gallon water heater.
One of the commonly used zinc-aluminum anode rods our technicians install is an A.O. Smith KA-90 Anode Rod (100108571). This type of anode has helped many of our well water based customers rid their homes of the smelly water.
Unfortunately a new magnesium, or even aluminum, rod can increase the smell compared to an exhausted rod. A powered anode protects like magnesium or better, and it does not facilitate H2S production. sanitizing can have a very good effect.
Although there can be many reasons water in general may take on a rotten egg odor, in almost all cases if the smell starts shortly after you get a new water heater, this new smell is a symptom of the sacrificial anode rod beginning to break down.
The frequency of anode rod replacement depends on several factors, such as water quality, usage patterns, and the type of anode rod installed. In most cases, we recommend inspecting and potentially replacing the anode rod every 3 to 5 years.
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.
Magnesium rods are better for areas with soft water, while aluminum rods are ideal for hard water areas. The best water heater anode rod will depend on the specific conditions of your home's water supply.
Aluminum and zinc anodes can both work in salt water, but they have pros and cons. Aluminum anodes are lighter, cheaper, and more eco-friendly, but they need regular cleaning to avoid passivation. Zinc anodes are heavier, more expensive, and more toxic, but they are more reliable in salt water.
For example, a corroded aluminum or magnesium sacrificial anode rod is a common cause behind water having a rotten-egg smell.
Since Bradford White water heaters have the magnesium anode built into the hot water outlet, we need to do a few extra steps to install a powered anode rod.
When well water is present and/or iron-eating bacteria is present, an aluminum anode rod is typically considered to be a better option than a magnesium anode rod.
The answer to both questions is no. All sacrificial anode rods are not the same. And, generally speaking, they are not specific to the water heater.
Chlorination can kill sulfur bacteria. If all bacteria are not destroyed by chlorination, the problem may return within a few weeks. Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for several hours. This will destroy the sulfur bacteria.
In most cases, water that smells like rotten eggs is caused by the anode rod inside your hot water tank. Anode rods are designed to attract corrosive elements in the water, thereby diminishing corrosion in the vulnerable steel liner. The degrading of the anode rod and/or the chemical reaction causes a rotten egg smell.
Installing a powered anode rod in use with your water softener can help to extend the service life of the rod. Powered anode rods last significantly longer than regular anode rods in water softener containing systems.
The three main water types are salt, fresh, and brackish, a combination of the two. Zinc anodes only protect in salt water. Aluminum anodes protect very well in salt and brackish waters. Magnesium anodes are designed for fresh water use only, never in salt water.
Over time, the metal in the anode rod will corrode away itself, leaving only a protective coating around the metal walls and bottom of your hot water tank.