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    sbuffington256's Avatar
    sbuffington256 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Apr 5, 2008, 01:31 PM
    Rotten egg odor from washing machine
    Hi,
    We have a rotten egg odor coming from our Washing Machine. It has been going on for some time and is really starting to bother me. The water itself does not smell. Its coming from the pipes leading into the washing machine. What do we do to solve the problem?
    Thanks!:confused:
    Scleros's Avatar
    Scleros Posts: 2,165, Reputation: 262
    Hardware Expert
    		  
    #2

    Apr 5, 2008, 01:53 PM
    Read this article A Rotten Egg Smell in the Washer for things to investigate yourself or involve a plumber.
    sbuffington256's Avatar
    sbuffington256 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Apr 5, 2008, 04:36 PM
    Thanks, We will probably get a plumber.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #4

    Apr 5, 2008, 05:00 PM
    Sbuffington:

    Scleros gave you a great article to review.

    I am just wondering if you have a water softener as well as the water heater?

    Let me know... Mark

    .
    sbuffington256's Avatar
    sbuffington256 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Apr 5, 2008, 05:07 PM
    No water softener/ we do have a hot water heater for the whole house.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #6

    Apr 5, 2008, 05:18 PM
    Sounds like anode rod or sulpher bacteria.

    Too check for bacteria may need to get a water sample and have water tested.. OR could always pour hydrogen peroxide into heater... let sit for awhile, then open hot faucets to clear lines of bacteria as well.

    If interested in doing this yourself, let me know. Otherwise, take water sample... see what comes up.. and may need to have plumber check anode rod as well...

    Let me know... Mark

    .
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #7

    Apr 5, 2008, 05:18 PM
    Bacteria in the water reacting with the anode rod can produce a "rotten egg" smell and make your water taste bad. To correct this problem you must change the old magnesium rod for a aluminum one. Then 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. The anode rod is located under the large hex nut on top of your heater. If you need instructions on how to flush your heater, click on back. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply. TOM
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