Rv Hot Water Tank Sulfur Smell

Hydrogen sulfide gas produces a strong and unpleasant rotten egg odor and taste.

Rv hot water tank sulfur smell.

We ve also seen this process on water heaters without anodes. Some are made of aluminum which is reactive and susceptible to the reaction. Tuen on the propane or electric heat to supply clean hot water. Close the pressure relief valve and open the hot water taps in the camper s sinks.

Each water heater is equipped with a magnesium anode rod in order to temporarily limit corrosion within the tank. This won t hurt you but it sure doesn t smell pleasant. When the water pump stops slowly open up a hot water faucet and run the water. The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with sulfur and the magnesium or aluminum anodes that a lot of rv water heaters feature.

In most cases the smell of sulfur will be caused by high magnesium content water that comes into contact with the original anode already present within the water heater. That removes the remaining air in the camper s plumbing. Usually a small dose of vinegar will clean the hot water heater out but i am not sure how long it will prevent more forming. If the smell is in hot water this could be metals in the water heater reacting with the water.

First to make sure your hot water heater is the source and that this is the blog post you re looking for check your cold water. As others have mentioned the sulphur smell is a result of the anode rod. If it s both hot and cold water that s affected then it s probably a sulfur issue. The smell is caused by an anaerobic bacteria that lives in some water and reacts strangely to the sacrificial anode rods in many rv water heaters.

Usually the sulfur dioxide smell comes from an rv s hot water heater not the water tank. I suggest that you drain the water heater replace the anode with combo anode that is made from aluminum zinc. If you have an rv it can happen. Rectifying this reaction within your water heater.

Another possibility is your water heater. Anaerobic bacteria in the tank reacts with the aluminum and or magnesium from the anode and creates hydrogen sulfide gas that s the sulphur smell. If your water smells like rotten eggs the odor usually is due to high levels of sulphur microbes and hydrogen sulfide gas found in the water tanks. If it s only the hot water though it s because of bacteria that grows in the hot water tank.

If it doesn t smell like sulphur that classic rotton egg smell then you re in luck it s almost certain that you can fix the problem at your water heater. Fill the tank with water.