Culligan
Hydrogen Sulfide Reaction with Water Heater Anode
Strong rotten egg (sulfur) odor in hot water even with a Culligan softener installed
Advertisements
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.
Advertisements
Possible Causes
Sulfur-reducing bacteria in water heater, Magnesium anode rod reaction, Inadequate disinfection, Softener not treating sulfur
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: This issue involves the water heater; follow all heater manufacturer safety instructions. Turn off power or gas and allow the heater to cool before working on it.
- Confirm source: Check if odor is only in hot water. If so, the water heater is the primary source, not the softener.
- Disinfect heater: Follow a documented procedure to chlorinate and flush the water heater to kill sulfur bacteria.
- Consider anode change: Consult a plumber about replacing the magnesium anode rod with an aluminum/zinc or powered anode designed to reduce odor.
- Evaluate treatment: If sulfur is present in cold water as well, additional treatment (e.g., Culligan sulfur filter) may be required; a softener alone does not remove hydrogen sulfide effectively.
Advertisements
Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Advertisements