I have an old Rheem water heater that is producing hot water that smells like rotten eggs. I've learned that it needs a new anode; the only one that I can find is a magnesium rod that is too long. Can I cut the magnesium rod to the correct length with a hacksaw? Thanks for your help!

I am not an expert, but could this smell be sulfur?

Hi Barbara,
You could cut the rod off some, but don't go overboard. That protects the heater. It is a sacrificial rod so that the water attacks it instead of the heater tank. When you have it out, put a cup of chlorine bleach in the tank to clean bacteria.

Like Stringer said, it could be sulfur. But, it could also be manganese, which is usually mistaken for sulfur. Or, it could be bacterial.

Are you on well, or a municipal water supply?
Al

It's a municipal water supply. Also, I've noticed that the hot water is a little grayish in color. Does that indicate sulfur, or manganese, or bacteria?

Thanks again for your help!

Barbara,
Grayish could be sulfur or bacteria.

Do you have any filtration outside of the house such as a carbon filter, or softener etc. If not, you should have chlorine or chloramines in the water supply to prevent bacterial growth.

If your municipal supply uses chloramines for disinfection, they can sometimes produce odors. Typically on that type of system they flush hydrants, etc. on a monthly basis due to odor, and dark discoloration in the lines.

I think if you replace the rod, which has probably deteriorated down to nothing, and put a cup of chlorine bleach in your heater that it will probably take care of it. After reassembling, run a hot water faucet until you smell bleach in the water. Then turn off the faucet and don't use any hot water for at least 30 minutes. You will want to let the bleach set in there at least 30 minutes. After that, turn on all of the hot water faucets at a slow rate. This will allow the bleach to also disinfect the pipes in the house.

It may stir up some buildup in the pipes in your home, so it is a good idea to take the aerator screens off the faucets before flushing.

If none of this works, you may need to bleach the heater again, and drain the heater. In both cases, make sure you turn off the power to your heater before working on it.
Al

Thanks for your help--I'll give it a try!
Barbara