Grey color and bad odor to hot water

[Elstonian]

Hello, we went on a vacation to Florida (and didn't take our camper) so when we got back this weekend to camp & turned on the hot water it is grey in color and it smells terrible, and when you wash your hands/shower do dishes, whatever the smell stays on your skin and dishes. When we were there every weekend using the water it was fine, but it sat for 2 weeks while we were away and we drained everything before we left. someone in the campground said its caused by the glass rod thing attached to the plug in the water heater....anyone have any ideas on how to get rid of the grey & smell or fix it so it doesn't happen again?........(tx)




2006 GMC Sierra (gas)
2013 Cougar 324RLB

[hankpage]

Hello, we went on a vacation to Florida (and didn't take our camper) so when we got back this weekend to camp & turned on the hot water it is grey in color and it smells terrible, and when you wash your hands/shower do dishes, whatever the smell stays on your skin and dishes. When we were there every weekend using the water it was fine, but it sat for 2 weeks while we were away and we drained everything before we left. someone in the campground said its caused by the glass rod thing attached to the plug in the water heater....anyone have any ideas on how to get rid of the grey & smell or fix it so it doesn't happen again?........(tx)

2006 GMC Sierra (gas)
2013 Cougar 324RLB

The way you are describing the anode rod on the heater I am assuming you did not drain the heater. That is where the the color and smell is coming from. Turn off the heater, disconnect from city water and open some faucets, remove the plug from the heater (if still hot be careful) and it will drain, wash off the anode rod attached to the plug, turn the city water on slowly and rinse the heater tank, turn off city water and reinstall the plug. Turn on city water and run hot faucets till air is gone. Turn the heater back on and you should be all set. If the anode rod was very worn replace it. Hope this helps, Hank

[Elstonian]

Yea that's the thing, the anode, my hubby drained the water heater but only with the valve he didn't remove the plug. we did do it this weekend tho except for the getting the air out so we will do that next weekend and if it didn't clear up the problem we'll repeat the process.....thank you for the info. Do you know if the anode can be removed and just a regular plug could be put in since that seems to be what causes this problem?...

[hankpage]

You can remove it but then the tank will corrode. The anode is a sacrificial rod that protects the the tank. High mineral content in the water is causing the problem. (my guess unchlorinated well water) One suggestion is a combination anode/drain valve (http://www.easternmarine.com/rv-water-heater-anode-rod-with-drain-valve-12-11533) and just drain it when you leave.

[alien_scones]

The rod didn't last long for me - this is after one year:

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=250&pictureid=1978

[Elstonian]

wow, that looks bad for only a year!, we've had ours about 2 months,@ Hank... yes the water at our campground is horrible well water, so I will follow your advice and try the anode/valve, and I'll let the husband know to keep an eye on the thing for when it needs to be replaced.....thanks for all the helpful info!

[SoGaDually]

I keep a 1-1/4" socket & ratchet along with a roll of Teflon Tape on the camper. It's very easy to remove and replace the Anode Rod..
I drain our water heater after each camping trip. Last thing I do once we are packed up is I removed the Anode Rod and let the water heater drain on the trip home. Depending on the size of your water heater, the combination anode/drain valve may not be large enough to be suitable for your water heater. Remove the cover to your water heater and look on the data tag to get the brand and model number. Then take that information and search it on the web. There you will find exactly which Anode Rod you need to be using in your water heater. Not all water heaters use the same Anode Rod..
Camping World sales a Water Heater Tank Rinser Item # 49070 which is on sale right now for $5.99..