Here’s a fun fact: your hot water heater can turn your water into a stink bomb all by itself. If only the hot water smells (or it’s way worse hot than cold), the anode rod inside is likely reacting with sulfur. This rod is supposed to prevent rust, but it can create a chemical reaction that smells like a dead mouse in a damp basement.
Smelly Water: Causes and Remedies - Pure Water Systems NV
The fix? Replace the anode rod with an aluminum/zinc one—it’s a cheap part (under $50) and takes about an hour to swap. Or, if you’re lazy like me, just flush the water heater once a year to remove sediment that feeds the stink-bacteria. Your future showers will thank you, and your nostrils will do a happy dance.
