Hot Water Heater Smell

[jrusse]

I noticed when i ran the hot water this past weekend there was a realy strong rotten egg smell coming from it. Made everyone gag from several feet away. I'm sure it was because i left water in it for the last two weeks and we had some really hot weather. I will be spending this coming weekend sanitizing my water lines and fresh water tank with bleach. My question is can i also sanitize the hot water heater with bleach without damaging it? I know you dont want to put RV antifreeze in it so would bleach be any different?

[dalenoel]

If you look at the Atwood service manual dated September 2003 you will find the following on page 27 :

FLUSHING YOUR WATER HEATER TO REMOVE THE ROTTEN EGG ODOR

1. Turn off your main water supply. Drain you water heater tank. Reinstall drain plug. Remove the
pressure-temperature relief valve. With a funnel use 4 parts white vinegar to two parts water. (In a
6 gallon tank that would be 4 gallons vinegar to 2 gallons water).
2. Cycle the water heater, letting it run under normal operation 4-5 times. At no time do you remove the
vinegar from the tank Once this has been completed, remove the drain plug and drain the
water heater.
3. After thoroughly draining the tank, to remove the sediment, flush the water heater.
If you elect to use air pressure, it may be applied either through the inlet or outlet on the rear of the
tank or applied through the pressure-temperature relief valve. Remove the pressure-temperature
relief valve and insert your air pressure through the pressure-temperature relief valve coupling. In
either case, with the drain valve open, the air pressure will force the remaining water out of the
unit.
If air pressure is unavailable, your unit can be flushed with fresh water. Fresh water should be
pumped into the tank either with the onboard pump or external water pressure. External
pressure may be hosed into the unit either through the inlet or outlet found on the rear of the
tank or the pressure-temperature relief valve coupling located on the front of the unit.
Continue this flushing process for approximately five minutes allowing ample time for the fresh
water to agitate the stagnant water on the bottom of the tank and forcing the deposits
through the drain opening.
4. Upon completion of the steps above, replace the drain plug and the pressure-temperature relief
valve.
5. Refill tank with fresh water that contains no sulphur.
The Atwood water heater is designed for use in a Recreation Vehicle. If you use your vehicle frequently
or for long periods of time, flushing the water heater several times a year will prolong the life of the storage
tank.

A friend just did his heater and it came out great.

I can send a copy of the manual to all who send their email.

[jjotmo]

I had the same thing happen to me. It was from a local state campground that had terrible water. It hasn't happened since but if I go back I will fill my fresh water at home. The wife nearly puked when she went to wash her hands. I used bleach and let it sit for 4 hours before I flushed it multiple times.

[tlhdoc]

Originally Posted by jrusse

My question is can i also sanitize the hot water heater with bleach without damaging it?

If you don't bleach your water heater your water system is not sanitized. The bleach will not hurt your water heater.