We have a Weil-Mclain Gold Plus 40 indirect fired water heater. We also have an egg smell in our house. I have read about how a water heater's anode rod can cause this smell (we have investigated a number of other possible causes of the smell). Does this type of water heater have an anode rod or can I cross this off the list?

You'll appreciate this site. Sulfates, Hydrogen Sulfide, Rotten Egg Odor, Sulfur , Sulfate Reducing Bacteria in Drinking Water Testing Analysis Treatment (http://www.water-research.net/sulfate.htm) The rotten egg smell can be a bad "stink rod" or bateria. You can chcek your anode by shutting off the water supplu, partially drain the tank and removing that large nut on top of the tank. No nut, probably no rod. If the rod is fine you would likely need to treat your heater with bleach to kill the bacteria, lots of flushing with this.

Thanks for the quick reply. There is no visible nut on the top of the tank so I guess there is no anode in this type of heater. I saw this post today (pasted below) and wondering if this is the approach you are suggesting and whether this is something a non-plumber could do safely.


"I turned off the heater, drained a little water with the cold water inlet valve off, removed the pressure relief valve, poured in a cup or two of bleach, replaced the PRV, waited a few hours, then turned everything back on and ran all the hot water taps until I could smell bleach. I waited another hour or two, then ran one tap for an hour or so until I could not smell bleach anymore. Problem is still solved and it's been about 3 months.>