Hot water smells like pond water

[Skinner]

When I use the hot water it has a pond smell to it. I'm not sure the steps to get rid of it. Plz walk me through them. Thanks

[Lloyd]

Did you sanitize the system before you started using it this spring?

[Skinner]

No I filled the water tank after I got all the antifreeze out. And went camping

[Lloyd]

Here's a video mark5w posted on another thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCI2BVnEORo

[Skinner]

Thank you

[travelin texans]

If it's a Suburban brand heater you may need to drain/flush & replace the anode rod.

[Dayle1]

Originally Posted by Skinner

No I filled the water tank after I got all the antifreeze out. And went camping

Odor problems and buildup in the tank can be worse if you are on a well vs. city water.

[Winterpegger]

A corroded anode can make a bad smell in the water.

[BipeFlier]

Drain and flush. Put 1 cup of vinegar in it and fill with water then let it sit overnight. Drain and flush a couple of times with water.

[Golfreb]

We had the same problem near the end of the season last year. After de-winterizing and rinsing the lines out I filled the fresh water tank and added 3 cups bleach, ran the bleach through all the lines and filled the hot water heater with it. Left the mixture in overnight. Next day, drained the system refilled the water tank and added 3 cups white vinegar, ran the mixture through the system and drained it. Drained the hot water between both steps and discovered with the Atwood, an inch or so of water remains in the heater, rocked the trailer side to side until the water stopped coming out the drain. Seems to have corrected the smell.