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Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: garmp on June 06, 2019, 06:06:52 pm

Title: Sulfur smell from hot water
Post by: garmp on June 06, 2019, 06:06:52 pm

Haven't used our water heater/hot water tank the last couple of trips, now, when we used it, the hot water smells of sulfur. Not the cold just the hot. Any thoughts?
Should I try to run it out? Drain it? or what. It's the same water tank we have used for four days on this trip.
thanks,

garmp

Title: Re: Sulfur smell from hot water
Post by: swiftboot on June 06, 2019, 09:24:40 pm

I would suggest going thru the by-pass procedure and drain it after it cooled somewhat.  Undo the by-pass and refill, bring up to temperature and test for sulphur odor.  If that does not rectify the problem, but  improves it significantly,  then repeat the draining procedure again.  I have a water heater in my bar,n that gets seldom use and I have to run a lot of water thru it to get rid of the odor.  Draining would be the better option for R V due to amount of water to purge the system without draining.

Larry

Title: Re: Sulfur smell from hot water
Post by: Nancy and or Jake on June 07, 2019, 11:14:54 am

When draining the tank, keep in mind that the drain hole isn't at the bottom of the tank which  leaves a small amount of residue and sediment in the tank. After draining, the use of a tank wand to flush the bottom sediment goes a long way in reducing the odor. An annual wash down and use of white vinegar added through the relief valve and then run it through a heat cycle, redrain and repeat has removed all odor for me in the past.

Title: Re: Sulfur smell from hot water
Post by: Rick Leddon on June 07, 2019, 02:56:06 pm

What is a tank wand. Thanks Rick

Title: Re: Sulfur smell from hot water
Post by: Nancy and or Jake on June 07, 2019, 04:57:41 pm

Valera and Camco provided, connect to water hose and insert into tank through the drain outlet, open the valve and you get a power wash of the tank interior. Move it in and out, and up and down until the flush  runs clean. You’ll get a little wet so be prepared.

Following is a link to Amazon. Sorry  it might not be an active link, you might have to copy paste.
Hope this helps.

Valterra A01-0184VP Master Blaster Tank Wand with Power Nozzle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BGHYDO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_taa_bYS-CbD38B9PE

Title: Re: Sulfur smell from hot water
Post by: JackD on June 09, 2019, 10:00:24 am

As a follow up, I add 1/4 cup of bleach when I fill the water tank.  You can't taste it, and it eliminates the sulphur odor in standing water - been doing this in all my trailers & RVs for 25 yrs.
Jack

Title: Re: Sulfur smell from hot water
Post by: CalCruiser on June 09, 2019, 02:34:33 pm

I used this product last week prior to dry camping  in Yosemite. https://www.thetford.com/product/fresh-water-tank-sanitizer/
It did require an  extra  fill and drain to  get rid of the suds , but now I have full confidence in my fresh water system.  Maybe bleaching is just as effective, who knows, but this product  is EPA certified.