Water – Sulfur smell in one hot water heater, but not the other hot water heater

water-heater

We have two hot water heaters in our house; one is in the attic and one is in our crawl space. We have a sulfur smell coming from the crawl space hot water heater, but the water smells fine coming from the attic hot water heater. Our cold water smells fine throughout the house, so we don't think the well water is the issue. The smell seems to be isolated to just the hot water heater in the crawl space. Any suggestions as to why one hot water tank would smell even though the other hot water heater smells fine?

Best Answer

Your crawlspace Water Heater's Anode Rod is shot. This can be replaced at minimal cost compared to a new water heater by a plumber or HVAC guy or by you with some good straining on a long breaker bar...AFTER the Water Heater's been turned off, de-pressurized & very slightly drained.

Solid or Segmented Anode Rods, depending on "ceiling" clearances, can be obtained at Home Improvement or Plumbing Supply places. If one Water Heater went the other could be close behind & should be done as well, since checking it is the time to just replace it. There's nothing wrong or bad about replacing it too soon.