Just got my new-to-me boat in the water. I am get a really strong sulfur smell from the water....especially from the hot water heater? How do I get rid of this QUICK! It really stinks!
Hot Water Sulfur Smell???
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water tank
If your tank has a sacrificial rod screwed into to the top/side, it may be necessary to change the rod for a different type, contact manufacturer of tank for an alternative sacrifical rod. Also try plumbing supply store. Different minerals in water react with the sacrifical rod and sometimes the gas is sulfur (dioxide?).
If your tank has a sacrificial rod screwed into to the top/side, it may be necessary to change the rod for a different type, contact manufacturer of tank for an alternative sacrifical rod. Also try plumbing supply store. Different minerals in water react with the sacrifical rod and sometimes the gas is sulfur (dioxide?).
Antifreeze
There is also a possiblity that you have antifeeze solution remaining in the hot water heater that needs to be flushed out. To me, rv antifreeze has an nausiating ordor. Perhaps sulfer like? Regardless, you need to get the stuff out. Make sure you run plenty of fresh water through your hot water system - try turning all faucets to hot.
There is also a possiblity that you have antifeeze solution remaining in the hot water heater that needs to be flushed out. To me, rv antifreeze has an nausiating ordor. Perhaps sulfer like? Regardless, you need to get the stuff out. Make sure you run plenty of fresh water through your hot water system - try turning all faucets to hot.
The magnesium anode is gone ...
There is a pencil anode made from magnesium inside the water heater. It should be located as a 'pipe plug with a square raised lug' to which you turn with a wrench to remove it. The anode has probably been totally consumed and needs a new one. Plumbing supply (wholesale to the trade) usually carry them.
There is a pencil anode made from magnesium inside the water heater. It should be located as a 'pipe plug with a square raised lug' to which you turn with a wrench to remove it. The anode has probably been totally consumed and needs a new one. Plumbing supply (wholesale to the trade) usually carry them.
Stinky water
How long was it on the hard, and where did it come from? If it has well water in the water tank, and it's like the water in Deltaville,Va, I empathize totally. My Columbia had 15 gallons of this black rotten Deltaville water in the tank, and all the hoses. Smelled like the devil. I pulled the tank, carefully lowered it to the ground, and poured it in the nearest drainage ditch. a gallon of bleach later, it smells like new. I still need to bleach or replace the water hoses. Larry Wilson Richmond,Va.
How long was it on the hard, and where did it come from? If it has well water in the water tank, and it's like the water in Deltaville,Va, I empathize totally. My Columbia had 15 gallons of this black rotten Deltaville water in the tank, and all the hoses. Smelled like the devil. I pulled the tank, carefully lowered it to the ground, and poured it in the nearest drainage ditch. a gallon of bleach later, it smells like new. I still need to bleach or replace the water hoses. Larry Wilson Richmond,Va.
My stinky water
I had the strong sulpher smell. I flushed fresh water through the system, and then left the heater on for a few days per someones suggestion. No problem since. Of course I try not to let the water sit unused in the tank all winter, like I did. I think my anode is fine.
I had the strong sulpher smell. I flushed fresh water through the system, and then left the heater on for a few days per someones suggestion. No problem since. Of course I try not to let the water sit unused in the tank all winter, like I did. I think my anode is fine.
Replace it
Go the the achives and search on "sulpher" and you will find the same discussion about 7 months ago. Peggy and someone else said that the problem was an anode in the heater itself, however my heater didn't allos access to the tank and I wound up replacing the unit. Took about 1 hour, and appx $200. Smell is gone, water is hot! Good luck.
Go the the achives and search on "sulpher" and you will find the same discussion about 7 months ago. Peggy and someone else said that the problem was an anode in the heater itself, however my heater didn't allos access to the tank and I wound up replacing the unit. Took about 1 hour, and appx $200. Smell is gone, water is hot! Good luck.
Replace
Try surfur as opposed to sulphur or sulfer... Most marine hot water heaters do not have an anode.
Try surfur as opposed to sulphur or sulfer... Most marine hot water heaters do not have an anode.
Source water
If the source water in your tanks is from a well that could be the problem. Flush out the system with good water after bleach. Ideally you might want some water that has been run through a water softener or reverse osmosis system. Water softeners remove a lot of the minerals that algea etc need for growth. City water is highly variable as to it's quality. As others have said if you had really old water that had algea etc grow and die in the tank then clean well. We have had pretty good luck by only refilling our tanks just before we take a trip as compared to keeping them full all of the time. They sell cartridges that remove most minerals at Lowe's, home depot and Walmart . these could be rigged to clean up water before it goes into the tank. Algea can't grow unless they have phosphorus. Thats why you can set a jug of distilled water in the garage and nothing ever grows in it whereas a jug of tap water tends to turn green within a few months.
If the source water in your tanks is from a well that could be the problem. Flush out the system with good water after bleach. Ideally you might want some water that has been run through a water softener or reverse osmosis system. Water softeners remove a lot of the minerals that algea etc need for growth. City water is highly variable as to it's quality. As others have said if you had really old water that had algea etc grow and die in the tank then clean well. We have had pretty good luck by only refilling our tanks just before we take a trip as compared to keeping them full all of the time. They sell cartridges that remove most minerals at Lowe's, home depot and Walmart . these could be rigged to clean up water before it goes into the tank. Algea can't grow unless they have phosphorus. Thats why you can set a jug of distilled water in the garage and nothing ever grows in it whereas a jug of tap water tends to turn green within a few months.
Replace it
Greg and RichH hit the nail on the head just replace the rod. Take if from an old plumber who whould charge you $200.00 to come out to your house or boat and tell you the same thing. Just be carefull when pulling the old one out, and make sure you flush out the tank making sure you get all of that jelly looking stuff washed out. They should last about 5 to 10 years. Drain each year and flush in the spring will make it last longer.
Greg and RichH hit the nail on the head just replace the rod. Take if from an old plumber who whould charge you $200.00 to come out to your house or boat and tell you the same thing. Just be carefull when pulling the old one out, and make sure you flush out the tank making sure you get all of that jelly looking stuff washed out. They should last about 5 to 10 years. Drain each year and flush in the spring will make it last longer.
stinky water stinks worse when hot
Start simple and easy. If the water in your water tank stinks a little when cold it will stink a lot more when it's hot. Right now I am assuming that you have a water tank problem. If you clean up your system and it still stinks you might have a water heater problem. I lived in Virginia and was on well water that always stank like rotten eggs. It made taking a shower awful!!!! Most water heaters(all that I've ever looked at) don't have anodes. They do have electrodes that get hot to heat water.
Start simple and easy. If the water in your water tank stinks a little when cold it will stink a lot more when it's hot. Right now I am assuming that you have a water tank problem. If you clean up your system and it still stinks you might have a water heater problem. I lived in Virginia and was on well water that always stank like rotten eggs. It made taking a shower awful!!!! Most water heaters(all that I've ever looked at) don't have anodes. They do have electrodes that get hot to heat water.
More stinky water
Beware the intake hose in the head, which will stink up after a week of stagnant use. I prefer to close off the thru-hull and reroute the intake to the sink where I keep a low level of freshwater for just that purpose. Peggie the Headmistress pioneered the idea and is the queen of [fixing] stink.
Beware the intake hose in the head, which will stink up after a week of stagnant use. I prefer to close off the thru-hull and reroute the intake to the sink where I keep a low level of freshwater for just that purpose. Peggie the Headmistress pioneered the idea and is the queen of [fixing] stink.
Been There
A wonderful smell isn't it. I fouund that loading the tanks with clean water and bleach, an ounce or so per 15gal, run thru the system and let it sit for at least 3 hr. Repeat. Cleaned mine up. I do add a small splash of bleach now days when I load the tanks, to much bleach and you'll be able to taste it.
A wonderful smell isn't it. I fouund that loading the tanks with clean water and bleach, an ounce or so per 15gal, run thru the system and let it sit for at least 3 hr. Repeat. Cleaned mine up. I do add a small splash of bleach now days when I load the tanks, to much bleach and you'll be able to taste it.
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