Anaerobic Bacteria In Water Heater

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.

Anaerobic bacteria in water heater.

This will destroy the sulfur bacteria. Disinfect and flush the water heater with a chlorine bleach solution. Flushing to remove the dead bacteria after treatment should control the odor problem. 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.

When this type of bacteria comes in contact with your anode rod it stinks. The smell of rotten eggs when you turn on the hot water usually means you have a problem with anaerobic bacteria. It smells terrible but is generally harmless. 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.

Before calling in a plumbing contractor you may want to add a quick flushing procedure as part of your home improvement routine. Turn off the cold water valve. Overall there are quite a few advantages to using powered anode rods. 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.

Normally a hot water heater that smells like rotten eggs is due to anaerobic bacteria that are found in some water types in some parts of the country that react with the sulfur aluminum and magnesium anodes that are part of your hot water heater. Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees fahrenheit 71 degrees celsius for several hours. The bacteria known as divibrio sulfurcans inside the heater s tank converts the sulfate into the hydrogen sulfide and makes the water smelly. Chlorination can kill sulfur bacteria.

Try this easy diy fix for the stench. As a result hydrogen sulfide gas is produced which causes the rotten egg smell. Bacteria which do not survive well or long under low oxygen conditions thus not common in water exposed to the air for long. Probably the best powered anode rod today is made by corro protec.

If all bacteria are not destroyed by chlorination the problem may return within a few weeks.