sulphur smell

[pbarstow]

OK, dumb question...why am I smelling such a strong sulphur (egg) smell in the hot water? This a new thing this season.

[Wayne&Sam]

Some water supplies have a harmless bacteria that gives off the sulfur odor as it dies off. Flush the tank well or add a shot of chlorine to the system and then flush.

[DaveFL]

New this season, same water supply?
Wayne diagnosed bacteria, I would also check source, when we let the boat toilet stay idle for a month the first flush has strong sulfur, I figured all the organisms in the pipe of the flush water die and cause the smell. So if you are using a well, it might have changed since last year, you weren't as observant or cleaning agents masked it.

[HowieE]

You will have to drain the hot water heater and the fresh water tank. Add water and chlorine to the fresh water tank and run through the system and hot water heater. If possible take the trailer around the block to slosh the tank before running the water through the system. Pour some chlorine into you water fill hose and run water into the system with city water. Let sit overnight. Drain again and flush with fresh water to clear the chlorine.

Make sure when you flush with chlorine and fresh water that yo open every faucet and the toilet at least once per flush. If you have an auto fill system cycle it also.

[overlander64]

You may have spent some time in an area where there is sulphur dissolved in the water. Heating the water releases or intensifies the smell. If your water heater is a late model, it may have an anode that reacts with the dissoved sulphur causing an even stronger smell (I don't remember what metal was recommended for an anode when there was an issue with sulphur in the water).

I have lived in an area where "sulphur" wells are common. It isn't a dangerous condition, but the smell can become rather obnoxious.

Good luck in locating the source of your sulphur smell.

Kevin

P.S.: I don't know that this would be a possibility, but some LP has an odorant that smells like sulphur as well. Could it be that you have either a leaky LP connection toward the rear of the trailer, or possible the burner in the water heater is burning too rich.

[Melody Ranch]

Do all that. You should anyway. Then replace the anode in the tank. Thats the source of the sulfer smell. Its a very common occurrence with a deteriorating anode.

[Kevin245]

Sounds like Hydrogen Sulfide in your water system. This is typically caused by bacteria or an excess of sulfates in the water supply. A thorough sanitizing of the entire system should take care of the symptoms.

Regards,

Kevin

[pbarstow]

thanks for the advice everyone...we flushed w/chlorine as usual this spring, although did not think about sanitizing the hose...same water source, city water in Anchorage. Its a water heater in our '88 Excella. We like the idea about replacing the anode...will try that.

[bilby05]

Last time I smelled sulphur-like aroma in our AS it turned out to be our battery being fried by the univolt. Don't imagine it could penetrate your water system, but you never know.
cheers, bill b.

[wmarsha]

my 2 cents is also to check the batteries. the smell can permeate an area and make you think it is coming from-well, something else...like the water.
now, if the rotten egg smell is coming from the batteries (especially agm batts aka "maintenance free") then be careful, they can be dangerous. overcharging such a battery can dry it out, leading to cell shorting, leading to more overheating, drying out until the batt is totally destroyed-it can be very, very hot, and under worst conditions, can explode. Sorry to send out alarm, but check your batts.
ol bill

[Splitrock]

We have a property served by a hard water well and we had to remove the water heater anode rod to eliminate the rotten egg smell from the hot water. No odor associated with the cold water.

[Melody Ranch]

Its the anode.

[subfan1]

I drain my hot water heater if I'm not going to use it for a month or longer. Works for me.

[arcamedies]

Easy way to find out drain some water from the popoff valve at the heater and if it's there then the water system will be the one to address, if not, hmmm battery, if not holy smokes could be anything get a tech to look at it.

[pbarstow]

wow, we just love this forum for getting a broad spectrum of opinions...ok, we are currently on a trip in Fairbanks, so we are living with the sulphur smell. It is definitely from the hot water. We flushed the system w/chlorine as usual this spring, and also have brand new batteries..(replaced the old 7 year old ones)... we are going to take it into our favorite trailer service in Anchorage when we get back...Mobile Trailer Supply and have them check it out..especially the anode..per previous replies. If any of you are everin Anchorage and need service these people are the best...locally owned. Our secojnd best favorite is Spokane Airstream for great service and advice.