Posted 2007-11-07 9:10 PM (#70654) Subject: Hot Water smells
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Clintwood, VA
Our trailer we have used 5 yrs and this past spring the hot water smelled like metal. Couldn't wash the smell off. So we flushed it, put in that fresh water stuff and it helped. So everytime we would flush it and use while camping. The one time we didn't flush it and kept the water in it, yep it smelled again. Do we need a new hot water heater? Anyone else ever had this problem?
Posted 2007-11-08 10:00 AM (#70691 - in reply to #70654) Subject: RE: Hot Water smells
We had that problem this summer on the lot......but it was in new trailers.....we drained them, flushed them and refilled them......but we figured it was just from the heat this summer and the tanks not being used......maybe it wasn't. Have you figured it out yet?
Posted 2007-11-08 1:15 PM (#70708 - in reply to #70654) Subject: RE: Hot Water smells
Veteran
Posts: 114
The water in your hotwater tank becomes stagnant and grows bacteria and mold just like a pond. The longer it sits in the tank and being affected by the heat of summer, the more likely it is to have bacterial growth. Water that is clorinated will take longer to become affected but eventually will stink, too. The hotwater tank should be drained after every use if possible especially when it is not going to be used for weeks. You can flush the tank with 1 oz of bleach to a gallon of water. It will sanitize the tank and kill out the smell. You should let the tank sit with bleach water for a several hours and then rinse with clean water.
Posted 2007-11-09 6:33 AM (#70745 - in reply to #70654) Subject: RE: Hot Water smells
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
Sounds like anode rod, to me. Have you checked it? In addition to the bleach suggested above, I also use white vinegar. It helps dissolve the calcium that destroys hot water heaters,and aids in odor problem.
Posted 2007-11-09 11:00 AM (#70766 - in reply to #70654) Subject: RE: Hot Water smells
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Katy, Texas
Saw this post and thought of my trailer. I don't think we have ever drained or flushed the water tank and heater. I guess we have just been lucky not to have the smell. I don't have any knowledge in this area so I have a question about the bleach and the effects it would have on the tank, heater and waterlines. Would the bleach deteriorate or have any adverse effects on these components or is the dilution low enough not to matter?
Posted 2007-11-12 12:55 PM (#70969 - in reply to #70654) Subject: RE: Hot Water smells
Veteran
Posts: 114
This is the dilution we use to clean some selected medical grade equipment. Take out the annode if your are worried and be sure to turn off the water heater. Flush with clean water.Being doing this for years and have never had any trouble.You can also mix up a teaspoon of bleach to 2 quarts of water and pour in your bird bath. Won't hurt the birds to drink it and your bird bath won't mold.
Posted 2007-11-12 11:43 PM (#71028 - in reply to #70654) Subject: RE: Hot Water smells
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Clintwood, VA
Well I guess when the winter is over we will bleach it. Yes he took the annode out when it was new. So I am thinking it is bacteria? But it smells like rust, but no rusty color. Just a metal smell, ick.
Posted 2007-11-15 12:38 PM (#71268 - in reply to #70973) Subject: RE: Hot Water smells
Veteran
Posts: 114
you can use in fountains, remember that after some time, the bleach will be evaporated and diluted by rain. So you may need to add a gallon of water with the bleach dilution occasionally.
Hot Water smells
How about in my water fountains?