What's that smell??
 

I have a 40gal electric water heater in my basement and there is a distinct smell coming from it in the last few days. (it's almost a sulfur smell)
It's prob at least 15 years old and has never been any trouble.
All the water that it heats has gone through my water softener first.

Should I just ignore it? Or, replace it?

I think the avg usable lifespan of a water heater is 8-10 years. Since you have a softener, you shouldn't have much build up. I'm not sure what, if anything that would do to the life of the anode (or is it a cathode) inside. I would assume that soft water would extend the life of a water heater, but that's just a guess on my part.

Are you on city water or well water?

Well water.
A friend (who was just guessing) also said it's prob the anode rod. I'm wondering if it is possible to replace one this old. It looks clean at the outer connection...but the threads may be a different story.

Also...are all anode rods similar? Or do I have to get one specific to my heater?

A sulfur/rotten egg smell is not uncommon with well water.
This link has several things for you to think about, and a little troubleshooting flow chart to help identify the issue.
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/wells/waterquality/hydrosulfide.html

I believe most anodes are fairly easily replaced and all about the same. It is a rod the length of the water heater, so it could be several feet long which can make removal an issue if you don't have several feet of clearance, but I have heard/seen that there are anodes that are designed for limited space. They are essentially segmented.

^^^ Thanks.
The very first step in the flow chart from the link, said it's the water heater. Then my question is...why don't I notice that smell when using the shower?

I will prob see if I can loosen that nut on the top without damaging anything else and replace the rod. I have enough clearance above.

Hope you have a big socket and a long breaker bar...and better have a replacement in hand before loosening.

^^^ Yeah...I'm figuring I'll have to remove the inlet and outlet water lines and prob lay the heater on it's side just to remove the nut. (and the electrical 220 line)

Not looking forward to it.

I have several sections of pipe that I slip over my short breaker bar.... in 2, 3, and 5'. A 5' bar extension gives ya a LOT of leverage ;)

^^^ I'll have no problem with that part...it's the holding onto the round pig of a heater to keep it from turning. :D

ANode rod.

Being on a well I upgraded to an electric one... Works really well and really reduced sulfer smell in the water.

But I smell nothing in the hot or cold water. The smell is only noticeable when getting near the water heater. 8-10 feet away...it's not noticeable.

Some tips here..only I'd add..use a breaker bar, save the ratchet?

<iframe width="1070" height="713" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2IUNIUZz4Os" title="How to Change a Water Heater Anode Rod | This Old House" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

^^^ Good video...thanks!
I'm sure that if I need to...I can put a bar between the inlet and outlet fitting for keeping the tub from turning.
If there is a will...there is a way.

I have a long breaker bar for the nut that will do the trick..(maybe with a pipe added.)

And another video...breaker bar didn't work for this guy...who also smelled rotten egg...but hey, he got to buy a tool! :D
(edit) Never heard of the "coro protector" he used. Curious if anybody else here has used one? Maybe that's what Chris
meant when he said he upgraded to an electric one?

<iframe width="1268" height="713" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iMxjkzTf2zk" title="Corro Protec Anode Installation to fix Rotten Egg Smell in Hot Heater + Electrochemistry" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

^^^ Hah...wasn't much left of his anode rod.

Here again though...I don't smell anything in the hot or cold water. It's only when walking near the water heater. I'm wondering if I'm not chasing the right problem.

btdt

When yours went bad....did you smell it in the water?
Mine smells perfect...the smell is coming from the heater itself.

It was in the shower that I smelled it. That's when I went to the tankless heater.

Thanks...that makes me think all the more that it's not my anode rod.
I have not noticed any smell in the shower or drinking water...both have been normal.


And I know my smeller is good...
My doctor said she has never seen a patient with a better smeller.:D

Just a guess: Assuming that you have an electric water heater (gas has that rotten egg smell). At 15 years old, your tank may be beginning to leak and there isn't enough leakage to see water at the bottom. The smell could be the water collecting in the jacket insulation. Have you flushed the unit annually?

I would suggest just going ahead and replacing the unit before you possibly find yourself with a flood.