With the assistance posted here I was able to remove the old anode rod from my water heater and install a new one. The old one was down to a steel wire -- I have no idea how long it was in there.

Since installing the new one we've been getting a foul odor from the hot water. It has been getting progressively stronger. Since the anode rod was the only change in the plumbing system that coincides with the odor I've decided that it is the cause. (We're on a well. I changed the pressure tank, some galvanized pipe and the element in the sediment filter about two weeks before the anode rod -- no odor problems until a few days after the anode rod change.)

Draining water from the bottom of the water heater showed a marked difference from what I had been getting each month. Normally I get some sediment but mostly clear water. Today I got a spurt of black water, much less sediment and 3 gallons of cloudy water. All of it smelled bad.

The new anode rod was a $20 (or so) aluminum one. I've pulled it and cut off all but 1/2 inch and put the "plug" back. (I know how inportant the anode rod is but my wife cannot tolerate the odor anymore. I will get the rod replaced within a few days.) I'm going to get one of the higher-priced rods (aluminum/tin/zinc alloy) that are better at preventing odor. I'm also going to get a test kit and see if I've got the water softener set too high.

Is there anything else I should check? Is there anything else I should do?

I've read about bacteria colonies that dwell in water heaters and add a sulfur smell to the water. I doubt this is the issue because we had no odor problem before I change the anode rod. Is this a reasonable conclusion?

Another potential clue: The new rod I just removed appears to be coated with a white crust. The coating is pockmarked but generally consistent in thickness. It flaked off in my hand while I was cutting the rod; seemed granular. I do NOT know if it was material forming on the rod or the outer part of the rod corroding away. Should I check further or ignore this?

Thank you.

speedball1

As a rule it's the magnesium anode rod that causes the bad smell. Replacing with aluminum usually rectifies this problem. You may have got a bad rod. Replacing with a better rod might be the answer. But you should flush out the heater and clean the faucet aeraters. to flush out your heater attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run untill the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) followed by white grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). This shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Do this monthly to keep it clear. Now flush out your hot water lines on ALL fixtures. Now pull each aerator and clean the screens. Be sure you put them back togather the same way you took them out. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. Let me know how you make out. Tom