Cliffyk
Member
Hello All,
"Newbie" here, so please be gentle...
A couple months ago, our now 3 year-old A.O. Smith 40 gallon electric heater developed the "rotten egg" smell. We have a shallow well, with a chlorine injection iron/manganese filter and a softener/tannin filter after that-both regularly maintained and functioning properly. After some research I found through this site and others that the 3 year-old magnesium anode rod might be eroded and promoting the growth of sulfur-reducing bacteria creating the stench.
Well sure enough, on 6/24 I replaced the OEM anode with a Camco 42" aluminum/zinc rod and the stink vanished, literally damned close to "immediately". It was a real bear getting the OEM rod out, ended up using a cordless 1/2" impact wrench (rated for 600 lb·ft "break-away" torque), and it took 4 - 5 seconds of pounding to break it loose.
Used Teflon paste on the new one, I plan on pulling it for inspection in 6 mos. (Christmas Eve).
FWIW, judging by the core wire, the OEM rod was only 24" or so.
I have a couple remaining questions though:
Why is it that it was nearly 3 years before the stink began (same water, same treatment)?
What happened so quickly to the bacteria, did they suddenly die off, or just stop farting?
Thank you for any info...
"Newbie" here, so please be gentle...
A couple months ago, our now 3 year-old A.O. Smith 40 gallon electric heater developed the "rotten egg" smell. We have a shallow well, with a chlorine injection iron/manganese filter and a softener/tannin filter after that-both regularly maintained and functioning properly. After some research I found through this site and others that the 3 year-old magnesium anode rod might be eroded and promoting the growth of sulfur-reducing bacteria creating the stench.
Well sure enough, on 6/24 I replaced the OEM anode with a Camco 42" aluminum/zinc rod and the stink vanished, literally damned close to "immediately". It was a real bear getting the OEM rod out, ended up using a cordless 1/2" impact wrench (rated for 600 lb·ft "break-away" torque), and it took 4 - 5 seconds of pounding to break it loose.
Used Teflon paste on the new one, I plan on pulling it for inspection in 6 mos. (Christmas Eve).
FWIW, judging by the core wire, the OEM rod was only 24" or so.
I have a couple remaining questions though:
Why is it that it was nearly 3 years before the stink began (same water, same treatment)?
What happened so quickly to the bacteria, did they suddenly die off, or just stop farting?
Thank you for any info...