Anaerobic Bacteria In Water Heater

Probably the best powered anode rod today is made by corro protec.

Anaerobic bacteria in water heater.

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. 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. Try this easy diy fix for the stench.

The bacteria known as divibrio sulfurcans inside the heater s tank converts the sulfate into the hydrogen sulfide and makes the water smelly. This will destroy the sulfur bacteria. 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. When your water heater smells like sulfur here s what is probably happening.

Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees fahrenheit 71 degrees celsius for several hours. Before calling in a plumbing contractor you may want to add a quick flushing procedure as part of your home improvement routine. The smell of rotten eggs when you turn on the hot water usually means you have a problem with anaerobic bacteria. Flushing to remove the dead bacteria after treatment should control the odor problem.

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. When this type of bacteria comes in contact with your anode rod it stinks. 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. As a result hydrogen sulfide gas is produced which causes the rotten egg smell.

Overall there are quite a few advantages to using powered anode rods. 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. 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. Bacteria which do not survive well or long under low oxygen conditions thus not common in water exposed to the air for long.

Chlorination can kill sulfur bacteria.