Introduction to Unpleasant Odors in Hot Water Systems
An odour of rotten eggs emitting from a hot water system indicates a problem that requires immediate attention. The odour that happens when you run your tap, combined with smells reminiscent of rotten eggs or sulphur, which smell like sewage, signals contamination or underlying problems needing immediate attention.
At Colyton Plumbing, we’re experts at diagnosing why your hot water heater smells like it has unpleasant odours. Leveraging our extensive experience, we are adept at resolving all issues related to smelly hot water.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll address the most common cause behind a foul odor in hot water heaters and pipes. We’ll also provide troubleshooting tips you can try yourself and explain when it’s time to call a professional for heater repair help.
Read on to learn why your hot water smells and how to restore it to an odour-free state with a neutral taste.
Sulfur-Reducing Bacteria: A Common Culprit Behind Smelly Hot Water
Hot tap water’s foul scent is commonly caused by sulphur-reducing bacteria. These bacteria, thriving in low-oxygen environments, lead many homeowners to wonder, 'what do I do,' as they produce hydrogen sulfide gas from breaking down sulphur compounds - which is what gives off that familiar rotten egg smell.
Your water supply or hot water heater can introduce sulphur-reducing bacteria into your system. They have a particular affinity for colonising magnesium anode rods inside the tank. As the rod corrodes, it provides an ideal food source for the bacteria.
When hot water comes out your tap, the offensive odour, akin to water smells like rotten eggs, is the bacteria-produced hydrogen sulphide gas, emanating from the sulphurous smell caused by the compounds within. Hence, you might smell only hot water with the rotten egg-like odours when activating your hot taps because it’s essentially the temperature instigating the gaseous stench.
Although the bacteria are harmless, the hydrogen sulfide gas they produce can pose health risks in high concentrations.
Fortunately, treating sulfur bacteria is straightforward. Replacing the anode rod, flushing the water heater, or using hydrogen peroxide are effective ways to eliminate odours. But if smelly water persists, call a professional plumber - they can properly sanitise the system and ensure the smell taste your water has is pure and free of underlying issues.
Identifying the Source: Hot Water Heater vs Water Supply
Determining whether the odour resembles sewage or has a burning smell is vital in identifying its source as either your hot water system or home’s water supply lines.
A simple test is to check if both your hot and cold tap water emit distinct odours. Test each source and note any unpleasant smells or tastes, as these could indicate decaying organic matter or bacterial presence.
- If the unpleasant smell is isolated to your hot water tap, an issue inside your water heater tank can happen to be the cause. Odours from your hot water are indicative of bacteria growing or an anode rod approaching failure.
- However, if you notice water heater smell, sewage, rotten egg, or other foul odors in both hot and cold water, it indicates a problem your water supply within your house is experiencing. Contamination is occurring before the cold water reaches your water heater.
In some cases, unlike city water, with well water as your water source, odour issues can originate in both the water supply and the tank. Comparing the smells of hot and cold water can narrow down the issue, enabling targeted troubleshooting.
If there’s any uncertainty about the smell coming from your taps, contact your professional plumber for inspection. They can isolate the root of the odour issue and recommend proper disinfection methods to restore clean, fresh-smelling hot water.
Corroded Anode Rods Can Produce Rotten Egg Smells
The anode rod plays a vital role within your hot water tank. Made of reactive magnesium or aluminium, the rod attracts corrosion instead of letting it damage the tank itself. But over time, this corrosion process can cause some stinky side effects.
As the anode rod corrodes, it provides an ideal breeding ground for sulphur-reducing bacteria. These bacteria feed on the rod and produce hydrogen sulfide gas that is released into the water, causing the infamous rotten egg odour.
This issue is common with water softeners, especially in soft or groundwater, where sodium can accelerate anode rod corrosion. The bacteria consume the corroding rod material, producing increasing amounts of smelly gas.
Replacing your old, corroded anode rod with a new one is usually an effective solution. This action reduces bacterial breeding grounds while safeguarding your tank from damage. Just make sure the replacement is the correct size and material for your specific water heater model.
In extreme cases with heavy corrosion, the inside tank may need professional cleaning and sanitising to eliminate all odour sources. Moreover, fitting a new anode rod and performing a thorough flush of the water tank can generally reinstate most heaters to their original freshness.
Don’t ignore a persistent rotten egg stench - take action to protect your water heater and keep your hot water clean and safe. Colyton Plumbing’s licenced technicians can inspect and service your anode rod if you’re still noticing unpleasant odours.
Preventing Unpleasant Odors Through Proper Maintenance
To avoid unpleasant odours in your hot water system and potential water heater repair, proper maintenance is critical. Here are some key tips on how fix and keep your system smelling fresh:
Maintain Proper Water Temperature
Maintaining your water heater’s operation above 60°C helps curb bacterial proliferation and ensure water safety. Lower temperatures mean that your tap water isn’t sufficiently heated, it can become a breeding ground for sulphur-reducing bacteria. Check your water heater’s thermostat and turn up the heat if needed.
Flush Your Water Heater
Annually flushing your water heater can prevent mineral buildup and eliminate sediment that may harbour bacteria. Drain 3-8 litres from the tank’s drain valve until the water is clear. Taking assertive steps when your pipes require thorough decontamination, flush them with hydrogen peroxide or bleach to ensure a comprehensive disinfection.
Inspect and Replace Anodes
Every 2-3 years, inspect the magnesium or aluminium anode rod and replace it if corroded to remove the sulphur bacteria’s food source.
Sanitise Infrequently Used Taps
Purge stagnant water by running hot water through infrequently used taps to maintain cleanliness. This prevents odour-causing bacterial growth when run in the pipes.
Use Pipe Cleaners
Employing enzyme cleaners in your kitchen monthly, or a concoction of baking soda and vinegar assists in dissolving organic matter, ensuring the cleanliness of your sink and pipes. This tactic keeps your drain unsuitable as a breeding ground for bacteria.
Diligent maintenance of your water heater and plumbing can prevent the emergence of odours, keeping your hot water fresh. Call Colyton Plumbing if you need help keeping your system clean and odour-free.
Flushing and Disinfecting Your Water Heater
If your hot water smells unpleasant after inspecting the anode rod, flushing the water heater is the next step. This assists in expelling any sediment and biofilm accumulation where odour-inducing bacteria might hide inside the tank.
How to Flush Your Water Heater
Follow these steps to thoroughly flush your unit:
- Make certain to turn off gas to the water heater if applicable, and then shut off the cold water intake valve.
- Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
- Route the hose to a drain or outside area.
- Open the drain valve and allow 1-2 gallons of water to drain until it runs clear.
- Close the drain, open hot water back on, and repower the heater.
For periodic maintenance flushing, this can also be sufficient to remove many deposits. But for a deeper cleanse to get rid smell after bacteria contamination, also disinfect the tank:
Disinfection Process
- Drain tank again through the drain valve.
- Add about 125 ml of bleach or 250 ml of hydrogen peroxide directly to the empty tank.
- Fill tank completely and let disinfectant sit for a few hours, up to overnight.
- Drain tank completely until all disinfectant is purged.
- Refill tank, turn power back on, and run hot water taps until no disinfectant smell remains.
This completes the disinfection process. Annual water heater flushing is pivotal in preventing sediment buildup. Continually monitor the credibility of your water supply; securing its status as safe to drink is of paramount importance.
And bear in mind - should the distinctive rotten egg smell your nose detests reappear despite your attempts, it’s time to seek professional aid.
Replacing Magnesium Anode Rods
If your hot water system continues to emit a rotten egg smell even after flushing and disinfecting, it’s a sign that the magnesium anode rod needs to be replaced.
Magnesium anode rods attract corrosion to prevent tank corrosion, but this process also creates the ideal environment for sulphur-reducing bacteria. Over time, the rod becomes corroded and covered with bacteria, producing more unpleasant odours.
Replacing the anode rod removes this bacteria colony and food source. It also installs a new magnesium rod to protect the tank again.
When to Replace the Anode Rod
Inspect the anode rod every 2-3 years and replace if corrosion is visible. Rods in hard water may need replacement after 1 year. Signs that you need a new anode rod installation include:
- Rotten egg smell persists after flushing
- Hot water is discoloured or cloudy
- Rod is over 50% corroded
Choosing a Replacement Material
Magnesium, aluminium, and zinc are the main anode rod materials, each offering different advantages, which may vary according to your heater’s fuel type:
- Magnesium: Most affordable option but corrodes faster than aluminium or zinc
- Aluminium: Lasts longer than magnesium but may not protect as effectively in some water chemistries
- Zinc: Best protection and longevity but more expensive
Consult a water heater specialist to choose the optimal material for your specific system.
Replacing a highly corroded anode rod provides immediate odour relief in most cases. It also prevents further damage to the water heater while keeping your hot water safe and fresh smelling.
When Professional Help is Needed for Persistent Odors
If you’ve tried troubleshooting and DIY solutions but foul odors in your hot water persist, it’s a clear sign that professional help is needed.
Persistent sewage, rotten egg, or other disagreeable odours often herald a heater causing problem with operational issues requiring professional evaluation and rectification. Persistent odours can suggest:
- Severely corroded or failing anode rod
- Bacterial contamination throughout the system
- Sediment heater causing buildup in tank or pipes
- Cross-contamination from cold water lines
Our licenced plumbers at Colyton Plumbing can help with the experience, equipment, and methods to thoroughly diagnose and fix stubborn hot water odour problems. We can:
- Inspect anode rods and replace if needed
- Flush sediment from tanks and pipes
- Sanitise all components to kill bacteria
- Isolate and remove contaminant sources
- Confirm safety of your drinking water
Refrain from tolerating displeasing hot water that may harbour any health risks - consult the seasoned hands at Colyton Plumbing for expert odour elimination. Contact your water specialists today at 1300 349 338 or [email protected] - we’re ready to freshen up your hot water system.
Seeking Professional Aid for Persistent Unpleasant Odours
As we’ve covered, common culprits behind smelly hot water include sulphur-reducing bacteria, corroded anode rods, sediment buildup, and cross-contamination from cold water lines.
DIY troubleshooting can alleviate the water problem related to odour, but persistent stenches signify the need for professional assistance. Continued rotten egg or sewage smells likely mean there are significant problems requiring expert service.
At Colyton Plumbing, we have the experience, advanced equipment, and proven methods to thoroughly diagnose and permanently fix any hot water odour issues. We’ll inspect your entire system, isolate contamination sources, sanitise all components, and ensure your water is clean and safe again.
Call 1300 349 338 or email [email protected] to schedule service.
