Hot water odor

[jshack]

Recently, I noticed a pretty nasty odor coming from my hot water system. Cold water system seems normal so, I'm guessing it has something to do with the hot water heater. Any ideas on where I should start to try to figure this out? Thank you.

 

[jthatcher]

You need to flush with a bleach solution. Ours was that way when we purchased the boat due to non use.


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[yv1]

You have sulfur in your water.
"The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with sulfur and the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor".
Google sulfur smell on hot water and you'll find several home treatments.

 

[Stee6043]

If you've got the rotten egg smell described above I'd simply suggest you empty your hot water tank each time you get on the boat. Let it refill with hot water, reheat and you'll be fine.

I have well water at home and unfortunately this is just something we've come to live with. Leave the water heater idle for 3-4 days and this smell is unavoidable for us when we return home. A few showers later and you're good to go, smell is gone.

 

[Stray Cat]

If you're using water from your onboard tank, use Aquabon during each water tank refill. It will eliminate a skunky water heater and is orderless.

 

[romanservices]

You have sulfur in your water.
"The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with sulfur and the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor".
Google sulfur smell on hot water and you'll find several home treatments.

This is exactly the case for me, I also read that changing the anode will mitigate the issue. I plan on doing this very soon.

"Very often, replacing the standard magnesium or aluminum anode rod with an aluminum/zinc alloy anode will solve the problem. The zinc is a key ingredient, since pure aluminum anodes will also reek to high heaven. Also, some people use the terms aluminum and aluminum/zinc interchangeably. It's important to be specific or you won't solve the problem."

http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/Troubleshooting/stinky-water-in-hot-water-heaters.html

 

[JimT]

Treat the hot water tank with chlorine to kill the bacteria.

 

[CNY260DA]

Has anyone tried any of West Marines water tank treatment products? Where exactly are these anodes located?


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[Gimme Time]

The Westmarine treatment works very well if you follow the instructions for the most part as we have sulfur issue in lots of waters in the Southern Bay or lowing lying well feed areas.

So so far according to the manufacturer's data I've read online to my specific water heater as well there is no anode in my water heater.

http://www.atwoodmobile.com/manuals/waterheaters/MPD 93757 PS 11.19.07.pdf