The water heater makes the water smell bad how do I fix it?

Question

if the water smells like eggs and its not the element and a culligen water softner has been added so it has a softner connected to the hard water but it still smells so bad you could throw up while in the shower how do you fix it?

Answer 1

A water softener has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with this. Softeners do one thing - remove calcium and magnesium from the incoming water. These 2 elements are what causes "hard" water. If you have the rotten egg smell from your cold water as well as the hot water, your water has hydrogen sulfide, which requires a totally different treatment for removal. However, since you say that you only have this with the hot water, I have good news for you - replace the sacrificial anode in your hot water heater tank, that's the cause of your problem. If you aren't particularly handy, a plumber can do this for you. Lastly, if you DO have the rotten egg smell in your cold water, email me at [e-mail] and I'll let you know what has to be done to eliminate it.  

Answer 2

you are running out of hot water real quickly your dip tube is gone alot of water is not getting threw the w/h and its an old w/h look at serial # change it

Answer 3

The easiest and fastest way to try and solve the Problem is to make sure your brine tank (salt tank) is clean.

If not then take a measuring cup and pour 3/4 a cup of bleach into the measuring cup.

Look inside the Brine tank and find the white tube that is open at the top.Pour the 3/4 cup of bleach down into this white tube.

Wait about 24 hours to see if this has solved your Problem.

Answer 4

If the water heater has not been drained for a while there is sediment still laying in the bottom of the heater that could be causing the smell. Look for a garden hose type outlet near the bottom of the tank,connect a length of hose to it and drain the tank. If sediment comes out, keep draining until the water coming out is mostly clear.

Answer 5

Jim is absolutely correct. The anode can sometimes be reused after being neutralized with hydrogen peroxide. A bacteria lives on the anode creating the gas. A program of clorination of the lines will also mitigate the smell. You are probably on well water and you should think about once or twice a year shocking your system with an antibacterial. Clorox or clorine tablets like for a hot tub.

Answer 6

sulfur in the water,

you need a filter for it, whole house type,  

Answer 7

Uh, flammable gas in water maybe, if thats possible? lol