"limey" wrote

"Gary Slusser" wrote

limey wrote:
Yes, we have quite a bit of sulfur in the water. I have to drain
the
HW
tank every once in a while because of the odor. Also, when I run
the
hot
water in the bathroom in question, I don't get the sediment until
the
water
actually gets hot. I drained the HW tank this morning, then also
got
the
sediment in the jacuzzi in the room next to the tank. Is there a
solution,
other than a whole water treatment system? Thanks for your reply.

Actually it sounds as if you have a hot water only odor, that can be
caused by a trace of H2S in the cold but.... if there is none, then
you
have a sulfate or other reducing bacteria problem and must kill them
before they get to the heater tank. Or, remove the anode rod or
replace
it with other than a magnesium type but if you drop any of the old
one
into the tank as you remove it - it's like ya didn't remove any of
it
and you can't get pieces out of the bottom of the tank. Or, raise
the
temp of the heater to 140f. Anode rods can be like real difficult to
loosen - the key is holding the tank from rotating. lol.

You can ad about a half gallon of bleach to the heater, draw
chlorinated
water to all hot water fixtures and let it sit 10 minutes and turn
them
on for a count of ten and wait 10 minutes and repeat for an hour.
Then
let sit for as long as possible or at least a few hours and then
drain
(with the power/fuel off) and flush the tank with cold water until
the
last water out of the drain is as clear as you can get it. This can
take
many times of flushing with about 30 seconds of cold water each
time.
That's enough chlorine to burn eyes and bleach spots on clothes so
no
hot water use until you're done and refilled with clean water.

No, no other way than treatment equipment if you do have cold water
H2S.
It is easily treated and it isn't very expensive. Most will talk to
you
about some bleach down the well. That usually doesn't work if your
H2S
is naturally occurring, it can if the problem is reducing type
bacteria
in the well but problem is, they're in the 'aquifer too and you
can't
reach there with bleach alone. Chlorine raises the pH of the water
and
chlorine is only a good disinfectant at a pH of 7.2. and lower to
about
5.2. Plus shocking a well can cause serious water quality and
pump/plumbing. Also, shocking usually makes a bacteria caused
problem
worse.

Gary
Quality Water Associates

Thank you for the great explanation. Our water is high in sulfur and
in
iron. We had the odor problem for years with the previous water
heater and
I would put bleach in there to kill the odor; that would take care of
it
for quite a while.
Removing the anode would be quite a job, since the builder put a row
of
cabinets on that wall and one sits squarely on top of the heater (with
cut-outs to accommodate the pipes). Looks like I need to discuss a
water
treatment system with some local company. I agree - I don't want to
shock
the well.

Thanks again, Gary - you have given me great advice.

You sound handy enough to install something yourself. If you want a
quote and to maybe save hundreds, my email works.

Gary
Quality Water Associates