Sewage Smell from Hot Water Heater?

[KSFARMER]

We bought a farm with an 87 model home on it in 2019, gutted and remodeled the entire house to include new HVAC, hot water heater, and added a bathroom in the basement (sewage ejection pump installation and plumbing) and moved in November 1st. Any time we run hot water we get a terrible sewage smell in the house- laundry, dishwasher, hot shower-- any hot water. We have had the plumber who installed the ejection system back on two separate occasions. They used a smoke machine the last visit. It isn't a leak- which I feel like we already knew. They haven't investigated the water heater because they said it would be a smell coming from the water (which there isn't) and it would smell like rotten eggs, not sewage. We have a well option to water cattle, but the house is on rural water. The valve hasn't ever been changed and we aren't even using the well water for livestock right now-- all rural. My question is: Has anyone encountered anything like this? We would like to finish the basement this winter but not until we figure out this smell. Thanks-

 

[Twowaxhack]

It’s coming from your water heater.

Research rotten egg smell from water heater and enjoy the read.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Twowaxhack is very likely correct.

And what does “rural water” mean?

It still might be well water, supplied by your city or a local water company.

The water heater anode rod is probably reacting with the well water, change it to an aluminum/zinc alloy rod.
You can buy a flexible anode, to get it installed without having to lay the heater down on its side.

 

[KSFARMER]

So to clarify-you are saying that the water doesn't always have to smell for the odor to occur? The water does not smell, at all. The plumber was back out today, ran a camera through our lines and everything was clear. They smoked the lines two weeks ago. They said that there was no way it was our hot water heater because the water didn't smell.
Really disgusted and at a loss- appreciate any and all information!

 

[sarg]

You stated the odor ONLY occurs when you run "hot" water. That's a clue that narrows the problem to a source..... which is probably the reaction of the magnesium anode with your water. The stink is a hydrogen sulfide gas.
The common cure is switching the anode to aluminum as Jeff mentioned.

This site is a good source of info :
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

 

[Twowaxhack]

Some people leave the anode out. Also you could drain the hot system, introduce a couple cups of bleach into the water heater then fill the water heater up.

Heat the water to above 140.

Go to EVERY hot water outlet and run the water until it gets to max temp and you smell bleach.

Close the faucets and let that sit a few hours.

Then you can either run the hot system for a while or drain it back down to get the excess chlorine out.

 

[Twowaxhack]

All kinds of crap can live in a hot water system. Legionella for one......

Bleach that bad boy then cook it.

 

[pasadena_commut]

The water heater anode rod is probably reacting with the well water, change it to an aluminum/zinc alloy rod.

I needed an impact wrench to change ours. Bought a large enough socket at a car parts store but it wouldn't move. Worked all the way up to a 2 ft breaker bar, which didn't unscrew the anode, but did start to rotate the entire water heater, which had been drained. The impact wrench broke it free and then it was possible to unscrew it. It must have been the original anode and it had been in there at least 15 years at the time.

 

[Jeff Handy]

I have had to lay them on the floor, with a helper riding it like a bull, to get them unscrewed.
Meanwhile, all the owner’s manuals suggest to inspect the anode every year.
Yeah, right!
And how do you pull out that rod straight up, unless you have nine foot ceilings?

 

[Twowaxhack]

I have had to lay them on the floor, with a helper riding it like a bull, to get them unscrewed.
Meanwhile, all the owner’s manuals suggest to inspect the anode every year.
Yeah, right!
And how do you pull out that rod straight up, unless you have nine foot ceilings?

I don’t take them out( unless it’s stinking ) or replace them and Heaters still lasts 20 yrs here if they’re sized right..

We have great water quality. Some of the rural areas have crap water, that’s where I encounter issues with stink.

They’re installed at the factory with an impact wrench.

 

[sarg]

I don’t take them out( unless it’s stinking ) or replace them and Heaters still lasts 20 yrs here if they’re sized right..

Life-expectancy of a steel water heater tank depends on the anode rod.
Once the anode is depleted ..... the tank begins to rust.
I got 14 years out of my last electric heater .... but never knew enough to be attentive to the anode. We kept the tank cleaned out and replaced the elements yearly but that wasn't the key to longevity. When I replaced it the top entry nipple was corroded / rusted and weeping...... and the tank bottom had rusted through.
I already have replacement anodes in queue with the plan that the new heater will outlast me. I anticipate replacement every three years minimum.
It goes back to Rule #2 = My opinion only matters to me. No one else cares what I think.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Life-expectancy of a steel water heater tank depends on the anode rod.
Once the anode is depleted ..... the tank begins to rust.
I got 14 years out of my last electric heater .... but never knew enough to be attentive to the anode. We kept the tank cleaned out and replaced the elements yearly but that wasn't the key to longevity. When I replaced it the top entry nipple was corroded / rusted and weeping...... and the tank bottom had rusted through.
I already have replacement anodes in queue with the plan that the new heater will outlast me. I anticipate replacement every three years minimum.
It goes back to Rule #2 = My opinion only matters to me. No one else cares what I think.

Yeah, I don’t care. I remove them if the water stinks and do not replace them. Tanks are still lasting 20 years.

Sizing the heater right is also important....so is the quality of the water being heated. Plenty at play besides an anode.

I’m not trying to be rude but there’s nothing else I can learn about a tank type water heater that would help me in any way. . I grew up working on them and playing with them since I was born.

I’m 3rd generation master plumber and I’m about to retire so I have a tad bit of experience.

 

[sarg]

And the different motivations are easy to identify.

 

[Twowaxhack]

And the different motivations are easy to identify.

And so is the working experience.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Anodes only last a few years here.....

Do you think a homeowner is going to pay me $150 every few years to come out and replace an anode or check it ? Plus the cost of the anode.


Lol !!!!! Would you ?

So ina few years they could’ve just bought a new heater and have it installed.

How many homeowners test their relief valve once a year or pay to have a plumber come out and drain it to clean sediment ?

Not one that I’ve found.,

If they can’t do it themselves they don’t want to pay for it.

Lol......I do this everyday in the real world.

 

[sarg]

And I respect your knowledge ... appreciate your willingness to help others on this forum ...... But in this specific case you are wrong.
Seems obvious that the manufacturers and installers would prefer no one does maintenance on steel tank heaters.

 

[Twowaxhack]

And I respect your knowledge ... appreciate your willingness to help others on this forum ...... But in this specific case you are wrong.
Seems obvious that the manufacturers and installers would prefer no one does maintenance on steel tank heaters.

What am I wrong about ? Lol......

I say theyre not worth maintaining by a pro......it would exceed the cost of a new heater in a few years.

LOL

 

[Jeff Handy]

I have never had anyone ask me to change the anode, except for stink water issues.

But I have been asked to drain the heater to remove sediment, many many times.

People are afraid of doing it themselves, of doing it wrong.

Maybe it is a regional preference?

 

[Twowaxhack]

I have never had anyone ask me to change the anode, except for stink water issues.

But I have been asked to drain the heater to remove sediment, many many times.

People are afraid of doing it themselves, of doing it wrong.

Maybe it is a regional preference?

Most of the sediment is the old dip tube.
Did I mention we have great water ?

Didn’t I mention something about water quality earlier ?

 

[Jeff Handy]

My area has Lake Michigan water, some of the best water quality in the world.

But clients still ask for the heater to be drained, and so I do it, and everyone is happy.