Water heaters and anode rods. Plumbers

[Aggar]

Looking for some insight from some plumbers or someone who has dealt with them. Our water heater is I think 3 years old and last fall I noticed our hot water starting to smell like sulphur. So I researched and ended up putting in a new anode rod. Picked one up at Lowe’s. Drained the water heater and flushed it out be put the new rod in. First few days it was ok and now it’s back stronger than before. I’ve read where some take it out all together. Is there another style or type that will eliminate the smell? It’s only when the hot water is turned on. Found one online that is powered and runs some current through the water heater to help stop the bacteria from growing. I have an AO smith electric water heater. Thanks for any help or tips.

 

[Brandon]

I've always heard take them out with well water... until recently. Watching this old house they said there is a kind specific to well water-water heaters. I forget what kind of metal, maybe aluminum?

 

[Tombs]

I believe you need an aluminum one, but there are active rods that do a much better job. They get plugged into power, and manage the smell much better.

I've always just cranked them out without draining or flushing, as they need changed somewhat regularly.

I've never had an active anode rod and I'm not a plumber, but next time around I plan to try one. I have exceptionally hard water at this property.

 

[Aggar]

I believe you need an aluminum one, but there are active rods that do a much better job. They get plugged into power, and manage the smell much better.

I've always just cranked them out without draining or flushing, as they need changed somewhat regularly.

I've never had an active anode rod and I'm not a plumber, but next time around I plan to try one. I have exceptionally hard water at this property.

I actually just ordered one 5 minutes ago.

 

[Aggar]

Installed the powered/active anode rod and man did it help.

 

[VostocK]

Installed the powered/active anode rod and man did it help.

Which brand did you buy ? I am seeing a few different ones on Amazon.

 

[INP8riot]

Do you have any sort of filtration or softener? I had that smell BAD and it went away after I put filtration and a softener system in. The smell is amplified when the water is heated...so the better the water heater works the more smell you will have.

 

[1nderbeard]

Not a plumber, but when we bought our house (on a well) we had the same problem.

We wound up getting a new heater anyway, and asked the install plumber to remove the rod entirely. Haven't noticed a smell since.

We also have a water softener.

 

[Aggar]

Which brand did you buy ? I am seeing a few different ones on Amazon.

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[Aggar]

Do you have any sort of filtration or softener? I had that smell BAD and it went away after I put filtration and a softener system in. The smell is amplified when the water is heated...so the better the water heater works the more smell you will have.

We have a water softener. The smell only came out when the hot water was turned on.

 

[Aggar]

I installed it and about 10 minutes later I took a shower and the smell was gone about 90% and now it’s gone.

 

[Ingomike]

We wound up getting a new heater anyway, and asked the install plumber to remove the rod entirely. Haven't noticed a smell since.

Now the galvanic corrosion is eating the heater, reducing its life. The rods are there for a reason…

 

[firecadet613]

Do you have any sort of filtration or softener? I had that smell BAD and it went away after I put filtration and a softener system in. The smell is amplified when the water is heated...so the better the water heater works the more smell you will have.

What sort of filtration did you put in?

 

[INP8riot]

Springwell. I went with the best they had. In order of flow - Spin down filter, Well filter, Carbon filter, Blue particulate filter, Softener, and finally a UV light.

The well filter aerates the metals and filters those out. I had organics, living things, in the well so the UV was suggested. It is a million gallon set up so the cost (close to $6k) should be offset over the next 10 years or so. Hard pill to swallow, but clean, stink free, rust free water is a must.

I then filter any drinking/cooking water in a Berkey 2 stage filtration system.

 

[1nderbeard]

Now the galvanic corrosion is eating the heater, reducing its life. The rods are there for a reason…

I'd pay for two heaters to get rid of the smell. The water was unusable.

 

[firecadet613]

Springwell. I went with the best they had. In order of flow - Spin down filter, Well filter, Carbon filter, Blue particulate filter, Softener, and finally a UV light.

The well filter aerates the metals and filters those out. I had organics, living things, in the well so the UV was suggested. It is a million gallon set up so the cost (close to $6k) should be offset over the next 10 years or so. Hard pill to swallow, but clean, stink free, rust free water is a must.

I then filter any drinking/cooking water in a Berkey 2 stage filtration system.

View attachment 344357

That's a kick *** system. Our well is great, crystal clear water but an occasional sulfer smell out of the bathroom faucets (nothing else though). We have a softener and RO system for drinking water.

I've heard the smell could be amplified by the liner inside the stainless steel supply lines, but haven't investigated that or swapped them out yet. They are all new (including the kitchen), but the only odor is in the upstairs bathrooms.