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    Rvlec's Avatar
    Rvlec Posts: 68, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 10, 2010, 04:55 AM
    Why does a rotten egg(sulfur) smell come from the hot water faucet?
    The hot water at our church smells like a rotten egg. I figured it was the anode rod. The plumber came, said the same, replaced the entire water heater. Now we still have the same problem. Could it be the brand of water heater? Could it have something to do with the water heater being too large, continuously heating water, and us using very little water?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Oct 10, 2010, 05:24 AM

    Are you sure the plumber replaced the correct type of anode? You must change the old magnesium rod for a aluminum one.
    Bacteria in the water reacting with the anode rod can produce a "rotten egg" smell and make your water taste bad. you must drain and flush the tank and flush out ALL the hotwater lines. You must also remove and clean ALL aerator screens. TIP: Leave one intact so you can put them back the same way. They will not work otherwise. If you need instructions on how to flush your heater, click on back. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply. TOM
    Rvlec's Avatar
    Rvlec Posts: 68, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
    		  
    #3

    Oct 10, 2010, 05:31 AM
    I believe the plumber replaced the water heater--not just the anode. If it were the aerator screens wouldn't the smell occur with the cold water as well. It does NOT smell when cold water is on.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Oct 10, 2010, 05:54 AM

    Something's in those hot water lines and my guess is that you still have bacteria in there.
    OK! So your plumber replaced the entire water heater. Were the lines flushed out after installing the new heater? And since there was a bad reaction with the old magnesium rod and the new heater has the same type of anode rod did the plumber replace it with a aluminum one?
    Could it be that you're getting the same reaction from the new one as the old one? Just trying to cover all basis. Regards, bTom
    Rvlec's Avatar
    Rvlec Posts: 68, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
    		  
    #5

    Oct 10, 2010, 05:59 AM
    I am not sure. That was my thought--maybe he replaced it with the same brand of water heater. He probably did NOT flush the lines. I had not thought about that. And if he replaced it with the same brand heater (he probably didn't replace the anode) so it has the same anode. I will have to try flushing lines, cleaner aerators, then possibly replacing anode. The new water heater has only been in several months.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #6

    Oct 10, 2010, 06:47 AM

    Check with your plumber to see exactly what he did, inform him that you have the same problem that hen was call out in the first place. There should be some sort of warranty on his work. You first called him because of a bad smell and you still have it. It should be on your plumber to complete the call. Good luck, Tom
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #7

    Mar 20, 2011, 05:00 PM

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