Rotten eggs seen beside a water heater
Does your water smell like rotten eggs? It could be due to something in your water heater.

The distinct smell of rotten eggs is always unpleasant, but when the stench comes from running water, it’s a cause for concern.

Gary recently installed a new gas water heater; his water source is a well. Since then, the water has smelled like rotten eggs. Now, he’s wondering what caused the smell, and what he can do about it.

The stench’s origin is not the water itself. Instead, it boils down to these two things:

  • Bacteria is present in the water supply
  • The new water heater has an anode rod made with magnesium or aluminum

An anode rod — a sacrificial component inside the water tank — attracts corrosive minerals and filters them out of your water.

If bacteria are present in the water and the water heater has a rod made with magnesium or aluminum, the bacteria will create sulfates.

Then, it will produce hydrogen sulfide — the chemical compound that creates the scent of rotten eggs.

Fixing this smelly water is simple: just replace the anode rod with a zinc or aluminum-zinc alloy rod.

Skip to [skipto time=11:38][11:38][/skipto] and listen to the full segment on the Today’s Homeowner Podcast.

Also in this episode, we discuss:

  • The best place to install a ceiling fan in a large room
  • Tips for blocking train noises
  • Sealing off recessed lights to save energy
  • Removing white haze from shower tiles
  • How to get rid of fuzzy mold inside toilets

Best New Product

The Kohler Otira 2-Handle Bridge Pull-Down Kitchen FaucetOnce you’ve stopped the water from smelling like rotten eggs, consider a stylish new faucet! Kohler’s latest product will change how you work in the kitchen.
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Simple Solutions

Collecting Metal Shavings: Here is an easy way to clean up every metal shaving on your shop floor. First, place a magnet inside a thin plastic bag, pass the bag over the work area to attract the shavings to the magnet and turn the bag inside out. Finally, toss the shavings into the trash.

Watch: Easy Metal Shavings Clean Up Tip  

Vacuum Your Smoke Detector: Dust buildup can block your smoke detector’s sensor, so to keep it operating properly, vacuum the vents twice a year. There’s no need to take apart the detector. Just run the floor nozzle of your vacuum cleaner over the vents to suck up any dust blocking the vent.


Question of the Week

Q: I want to install furring strips to the concrete block walls in my basement. Are there any concerns about screwing into the blocks, or should I use some type of glue or epoxy?

A: You should use construction adhesive on the back of the furring strips. Then, screw some concrete anchors into the mortar joints of the block to hold them until the glue dries. This will give the furring strips some extra support.




Further Reading

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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