While sacrificial anode rods are critical to the health of your water heater tank, they can sometimes create issues with smelly water. For example, a corroded aluminum or magnesium sacrificial anode rod is a common cause behind water having a rotten-egg smell.
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.
The most common reason for the odor is stagnant water in your plumbing system, particularly within the hot water heater. The best way to eliminate the odor is to purge your plumbing system by completely emptying your hot water heater.
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.
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.
Anode rods require routine inspection and replacement, approximately every three to five years. Without proper maintenance, the anode rod loses its ability to divert damaging particulates from your tank and can accelerate rust and corrosion from chemical reactions, excessive heat, and imbalanced pH levels.
If you live in a city (like Austin) that gets especially hard water—or you get your water directly from a well—it's extremely likely that you have trace amounts of sulfur-bacteria in your water. While you won't smell it or taste it when the water is cold or lukewarm, you'll often smell it when the hot water is on.
You'll spend between $20 and $50 on the rod. If you choose to hire a water heater pro to get the job done, an anode rod replacement will cost you between $200 and $300. If you're not sure whether to handle this repair yourself, first examine your water heater.
Disinfect and flush the water heater with a chlorine bleach solution. 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.
The anode rod attracts corrosive elements, such as oxygen and hydrogen sulfide, which would otherwise corrode the walls of your hot water tank.
Why Anode Rod Replacement Matters. Over time, the anode rod becomes depleted and less effective at preventing corrosion. If the anode rod is not regularly inspected and replaced, the tank's interior can rust prematurely, leading to leaks and potential water damage.
rust-coloured hot water – that smells – is a classic sign of actual, and serious, tank corrosion. With a bit of luck, it's the corroded and rusty anode rod that's discolouring your water and making it stink and taste weird. Either way, you do need to call your friendly local plumber before that tank is completely shot.
Aluminum Zinc Anode Rods
Zinc, unlike aluminum or magnesium, is not conducive to producing hydrogen sulfide. Therefore, when you replace the existing rod with an aluminum zinc alloy rod, it helps reduce the hydrogen sulfide gas, thereby mitigating the smell.
Note: If your anode rod is on the top of the heater, you will only need to allow the tank to drain about a quart or 1/2 a gallon of water. If the anode is located on the side, drain the tank until the water is below the anode rod port.
Usually, a powered anode rod lasts from everything between 5-20 years, depending on the model.
If you suspect your water heater is more than 10 years old—it is time to consider replacing it before you're left with an emergency decision. To determine the age of your water heater, you'll need to identify the Brand Name and Serial Number for your unit.
Without a functioning anode rod, the tank itself would start to corrode, leading to leaks and system failure. This is why the condition of the anode rod is often a good indicator of the overall health of the water heater.
Sometimes to solve the smell a whole house treatment system is required. If only your hot water smells, there might be an easy and inexpensive fix to this problem. The culprit of the stinking water might be a device called an anode rod.
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.
An odor in one faucet in the house can usually be remedied by flushing the offending faucet. Other possible causes are: Water softener (if applicable) malfunctioning or in need of service. Bacterial growth in a drain, or a dried out drain.
Remove it from the tank and check its condition. A corroded anode rod may look pitted; in serious cases, sections of the rod may be missing altogether. If the anode rod is corroded, it's time for a replacement.
An important part of your water heater, it moves cold replacement water to the bottom of the tank when you use hot water; otherwise, both will mix and reduce the water temperature. Anode Rod Replacement: While an anode rod costs between $20 and $50, a plumber can replace it for $50 to $150.
Should you drain your hot water heater every year? Yes, but that's really just the bare minimum. You should really drain and flush your water heater twice-per-year: once in the spring, and then again in the fall. The reason why comes back to what a water heater is flushing out: minerals and sediment.