hello all
I have a small (10Gal) electric water heater in my office (in the attic of all places). We have municipal water here, and the properties next door do not have this problem. I sometimes get a sulphur odor from the hot water faucet. I know that there are bacteria that can live in a well and produce this, and that it can be treated with chlorine, but here are my questions.
1. Can these becteria also live in a water heater?
2. If so, how do you eradicate them?
Thanks,
Replies
Sometimes changing from a magnesium anode rod to an aluminum one will solve this problem. The story goes that Aluminum is toxic to the organisms, while magnesium is considered food.
Shocking the tank with some bleach at the same time might improve your chances of success.
I was once told that turning the tank to max temp for a day can kill the microbes, but I suppose it depends upon the properties of the colony you have spawned.