Question:
Had a new well pump installed last year. A couple of months later had a new HE hot water tank installed. In a few months, had a bathroom totally remodeled with new sinks and hardware. Started getting sulfur odor from hot water. Turned hot water tank up all the way for 2 days. Ran the hot water. Stopped hot water odor. Now get that same odor from the cold water lines in the 2 new sinks. Only those 2 lines! Nothing from any other water line. Turn the cold on and in 5 seconds get smell. Continues for 10-15 seconds, then seems to fad. What the heck is going on? Thanks.
Answer:
The anode rod in the water heater may have a high zinc content which will react with well water which tends to have a high sulfur content. This reaction will cause bacteria to grow and cause a rotten egg smell. You will have to change the anode rod and drain the water heater. It will probably be slightly gray in color. Careful not to get the water on you because you will smell like the water for a few days. Before filling the water heater, pour a quart of Clorox bleach into the inlet side of the heater. Now attach the water lines and fill the tank. Once it is full, go to the farthest bathroom from the heater and open the hot water faucet in the bathroom sink. Let the water run until you can smell the bleach. Now close the faucet and open the cold water for 30 or 40 seconds. Repeat this for ALL the faucets and showers in the house. Now you can re-light the heater and you should have gotten rid of the odor.