Most people do not think twice about the flow of water coming out of their shower or sink, but if there is a sudden onset of an off smell, that is certainly something to pay attention to and get help for in most cases.
If your hot water smells like rotten eggs or anything else, the team at Plumbing by Jake is the right professional to call. Let our 24-hour emergency plumber in Lake Havasu, AZ, figure out what is happening and repair it right away.
Common Reasons Why Hot Water May Smell Like Rotten Eggs
The rotten egg smell is actually a smell associated with sulfur, a pungent and often very distinct scent that many people do not like. If your hot water starts to have an odor like this, there could be a few reasons for what is occurring. The most common reason has to do with water’s impact on metal.
Water causes rust on the surface of metal, and to avoid that, every tank hot water heater will have an anode rod within it. This allows for the rust to attack the rod instead of attacking the interior of your hot water tank, protecting it and helping to preserve it from early failure. That is what you want and expect to occur.
The rotten egg smell you have is not necessarily due to any type of sulfur bacteria, though. Instead, it is generally caused by the chemical reaction that occurs when bacteria react to the aluminum and magnesium on the anode rod within your hot water heater. If you are smelling this, that probably means it is time for a service call with our team. Read our FAQs section to learn more.
How to Fix a Rotten Egg Smell from Your Hot Water Heater
You probably do not want to ignore this problem, especially as it worsens and the scent gets more pungent. The only way to completely get rid of the smell is to remove and replace the anode rod that is in your hot water tank. Using a zinc and aluminum rod instead will help reduce the corrosion and provide you with the fresh-smelling water you are after.
The aluminum will continue to protect your hot water heater from rust developing on the inner lining of the heater tank. At the same time, the zinc will work to combat the reaction that is being created when this happens, and that means bringing the strong scent of rotten eggs under control. This combination provides the results you are after.
Keep in mind, though, that if you have a water softener in your home, the zinc and aluminum rod design may not be effective enough. That is because the water softener itself can contribute to the smell of sulfur and the more pungent scent of water. In this case, it may be hard to fix it with these steps.
What You Can Expect When You Contact Our Team for Repairs
If your hot water smells like rotten eggs, the good news is that it is probably still very safe to use and does not likely contain a high level of bacteria (there are some situations where this can occur).
If you are experiencing this, we encourage you to contact Plumbing by Jake and allow our team to inspect your system. We will make sure your water is still safe and that you should use it.
In addition, we can help with water heater anode rod replacement to reduce the smell present, which is important, especially as your tank ages. The zinc and aluminum model may be an option for you as well, and if so, we can install that for you. In addition to this, our team will provide the necessary maintenance and upkeep for your hot water heater to work at its best.
In situations where there is the need to replace the hot water heater for any reason, our technicians will ensure the job is done properly, and that means choosing the right water heater for your home that is properly sized, efficient, and designed to meet your needs.
Most of the time, this is not a necessary step for a rotten egg smell. If it is, expect our team to explain why and offer solutions to eliminate the problem for you.
Be Sure to Get the Necessary Hot Water Heater Maintenance Your System Needs
Many homeowners do not realize that they need to update and maintain their hot water heater over time, but doing so actually provides numerous benefits.
Not only does it keep the tank clean and operating properly, potentially minimizing the amount of sulfur buildup, but it also can help to increase the efficiency of your hot water tank. You do not have to do this on your own as our team can come out to provide full maintenance services for you in no time, including:
- Inspecting the hot water tank to ensure it is in good working order.
- Inspecting and cleaning the pilot light to remove any carbon buildup that could become a fire hazard.
- Replacing the anode rod if necessary to reduce the sulfur scent.
- Draining and sanitizing the tank as needed.
- Removing any debris from within the tank’s base.
Our professionals make sure that your hot water tank is working the way it should and that it is not generating an awful smell that makes taking a shower less than desirable.
You can always set up routine maintenance with our technicians to make sure your tank is working at its best. Give our team a call to do that now and read our reviews to find out how we help people just like you.
Get Help from the Professional Plumbers Now for Your Hot Water Heater
You do not want to have to deal with a hot water tank that smells like rotten eggs, no matter the cause, and with Plumbing by Jake, you do not have to do so. Reach out to our team now to set up a repair and service call, and we will come out, inspect it, and offer solutions. Trust us for all of your plumbing needs.