Probably the best powered anode rod today is made by corro protec.
Anaerobic bacteria in water heater.
Turn off the cold water valve.
Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees fahrenheit 71 degrees celsius for several hours.
If all bacteria are not destroyed by chlorination the problem may return within a few weeks.
It smells terrible but is generally harmless.
Before calling in a plumbing contractor you may want to add a quick flushing procedure as part of your home improvement routine.
When this type of bacteria comes in contact with your anode rod it stinks.
Chlorination can kill sulfur bacteria.
Chances are good that the sulfurous smell is caused by anaerobic bacteria setting up quarters in the magnesium and aluminum elements of the heater creating gas.
Anaerobic bacteria that s found in water mixes with sulfur aluminum and magnesium sacrificial anodes which is a fancy name for a rod that s screwed into the top of the tank.
This will destroy the sulfur bacteria.
Hydrogen sulfide gas h2s and anaerobic bacteria combined with the standing hot water inside the tank are the main reasons for the rotten egg odor in hot water and water heaters.
The most hazardous bacteria found in water heaters is legionella pneumophila known to be the source of legionnaires disease a potentially fatal lung infection often misdiagnosed as common.
They don t degrade prevent smelly water by killing anaerobic bacteria that leads to that rotten egg smell and protect your hot water heater from corrosive elements in the water.
Try this easy diy fix for the stench.
Flushing to remove the dead bacteria after treatment should control the odor problem.
Bacteria which do not survive well or long under low oxygen conditions thus not common in water exposed to the air for long.
The smell of rotten eggs when you turn on the hot water usually means you have a problem with anaerobic bacteria.
Overall there are quite a few advantages to using powered anode rods.
As a result hydrogen sulfide gas is produced which causes the rotten egg smell.
When your water heater smells like sulfur here s what is probably happening.
There are hundreds of thousands of different types of anaerobic bacteria many routinely living in our colon off when we do not absorb or shed outnumbering aerobic bacteria.