Why does my hot water smell?

1. Why does my hot water smell? Many homeowners find a rotten egg smell in the water running from their faucets. It is the most common odor problem requiring water heater repair in Oakland. Bacteria tend to accumulate when warm water is in the tank for too long, leading to a foul smell. Another reason for bacteria build-up is when you use well water that is not treated with chlorine. The water remains stagnant in the well until use. A water softener and a magnesium anode rod in the water heater can also cause a sulfur odor. However, this is a less common problem. The magnesium is broken by soft water and generates sulfate gas. The first sign of this problem is air and water coming from your fixtures and faucets, along with a sulfate smell in the water. Getting rid of the rotten egg odor from your water  Treat the water source If there is a rotten egg smell in your water, start by checking if the cause is the water heater itself. Turn on cold water. If there is no smell, then your water heater is the culprit. However, if you smell the odor even in cold water, there are chances you have sulfate bacteria in the water source. To address the concern,

2. you need to treat the water supply in your home. The smell can also be the result of a clogged or blocked drain. Get a professional for drain cleaning in Oakland if you suspect that is the concern.  Replace the water heater tank If the cause of the rotten egg odor is stagnant water in the tank, you need to replace the water heater. Some local plumbers may suggest that you drain and flush the tank. While flushing out the bacteria sounds like a solution, the smell can stay within the tank. Besides, replacing the water tank is more cost-effective than flushing and cleaning the tank, more so if the tank is more than 12 to 15 years old.  Treat the well water If the smell is due to your well system, you need to treat the water and get rid of the sulfur and bacteria. But, it also depends on how much time it has been since you are suffering from the problem. It is quite possible that you still need to replace the tank to eliminate the smell. Professional plumbers in Oakland can provide services to resolve this issue.  Replace the anode rod

3. If the smell is due to a water softener working with a magnesium anode rod, get in touch with a professional. You need to replace the anode rod with a zinc or aluminum rod. Preventing the rotten egg smell in future To prevent the smell and the issue, you must ensure that you do not leave water idle in the water heater. Remember this, especially when you are going away from home for a long time. Switch off the gas to your water heater before you leave for a vacation. You can leave cold water in the tank as it does not build bacteria. However, if you are not using the water heater for long, you should drain the water and switch off the gas. Source: drain/contents/182955 https://www.klusster.com/portfolios/preferred-plumbing-