Arggh! Hot Water Heater Contaminated?

[Mike Ellis]

Got into the camper to get it ready for some summer action, ran out the "pink stuff" and flushed, but when I flushed the hot water side there was a horrifying rotten egg smell - I mean REALLY harsh - and flushing it hasn't seemed to help. Any ideas on how to fix this (besides noseplugs that is?)

 

[klenger]

Bleach, but not much.



Try this Procedure to Sanatize a Fresh Water Tank

 

[Jim Smith]

Install a new anode rod , which collects mineral deposit especially on the hot water side .

 

[TowPro]

Atwood Heaters don't require a anode (as per Atwood).

It sounds like you got pink stuff into your hot water heater. I purchased a used camper once (and saw it on a camper my brother purchased).

What we did was hook up the fresh water hose to the camper, open the drain valve on the hot water heater, turn on the fresh water and let if flush out through the hot water drain for around 5 minutes.

 

[KSears]

try light bleach solution or add some baking soda to the water suplly and run it through

 

[Skydiver]

Fill it and drain 3 times then fill it and allow it to heat. The heat will help dissolve any contaminants. Remember to turn off heat and drain again. The soda will help.
May need to drive it with 3/4 full of H2o to create some agitation.
Hot water will cause any odors to be stronger.
Check the smell of your home hot water as a base line to compare with.
28 years working at a water treatment plant.

 

[Mike Ellis]

Thanks gentlemen, I will give these suggestions a try!