smelly hot water

[caplad]

I just came back from a short weekend trip. The whole time the hot water smelled like garlic . It had been about a month since the last trip. I just bought the rv used in August . I tried draining the water several times but it seemed to only get a little better .
Any ideas?

[Tony Lee]

Brand and model of HWS?

Some types have no anodes while they are essential for other brands. Sometimes particular water quality interacts with some anode compositions to cause smelly water.

[whem2fish]

Yes need Atwood or surnaban

[Old Scout]

Flushing with a flush tip [from CW] thru the annode rod or drain openning and a new rod [if needed] is an annual maintenance event for me. Sometimes the rod is fine but some black, nasty looking stuff has accummulated right next to the threaded end. This black stuff may or may not contribute to the smell but I feel better with it gone.

[Ed-Sommers]

Draining and refilling is fine, however, if the water has high mineral content, a smell will follow.

Ed

[Luckiest Dreamer]

A bit of antifreeze will cause the smell if you heated the water while it is in there. Old water with bacteria will as well. If the smell is caused by the anode change it, then fill the system with a full tank of water and a cup of bleach. Let the solution set for up to an hour minimum or take the coach for a ride. Drain out the tank and refill with water a couple of times. The last time add a cup of white vinegar to rid the water of the heavy bleach smell then flush again. Refill the water with fresh and you are good to go! Add a tiny bit of bleach to that tank and it will also help keep the water bacteria free. A table spoon is a tiny bit! Never winterize a water heater using antifreeze, always drain and bypass! Never restart the heater unless it is full of water, it will burn out the element instantly !