CTC
Bacterial Contamination / Anode Reaction
CTC water heater produces a rotten egg or sulfur smell in hot water
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Reaction between magnesium anode rod and sulfur in water, Bacterial growth in tank, Low water usage
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Turn off power and allow water to cool before treating the tank.
Steps to check:
- Drain and flush the tank thoroughly.
- Temporarily raise the water temperature to 60°C (140°F) for several hours to help kill bacteria (warn occupants about scald risk).
- Inspect the anode rod; consider replacing a magnesium anode with an aluminum/zinc anode designed to reduce odor.
- In severe cases, disinfect the tank with a chlorine solution following CTC or plumbing guidelines.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
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