The easiest way to avoid sulfur smell is to run hot water regularly. Stagnation is bacteria’s best friend—if you go on vacation for two weeks, have a neighbor run a faucet for a minute each day. It’s like water aerobics for your heater.
Also, check your water softener settings. High levels of sodium can accelerate anode rod corrosion, so keep the softening at moderate levels. And never ignore small leaks—they’re the early warning signs of a bigger problem, like a cough before the flu.
Finally, consider installing a whole-house sediment filter before the heater. It catches the minerals that bacteria eat, making your water heater a less hospitable Airbnb for microbial squatters.
