MikeOnline
New Member
I'm seeking guidance from anyone who has sanitized a water heater using hydrogen peroxide. I am trying to sanitize a 3 year-old Bradford White 50 gallon gas water heater with the factory-installed anode rod. The water is from a well, and goes through a water softener, then an arsenic filter (Bayoxide E33 media), then into the house. We're getting rotten egg smell from the hot side only (detected only at the kitchen faucet, for some strange reason). We've only noticed the smell for the past few months, after living in this location for 24 years.
I found a basic procedure (below), but I am concerned about how to ensure all the H2O2 gets flushed out, and if any residual peroxide would be a health risk if ingested, bathed in, etc.
Please review this procedure, along with my questions in ALL CAPS (not trying to shout). Thank you!
Procedure
1) Turn off cold water supply to the water heater.
2) Note the temperature control setting on the water heater's gas control valve. Turn off the gas to the water heater. NECESSARY?
3) Open a nearby faucet, hot water side, to relieve pressure and drain a few gallons of hot water. Then close this faucet. I ASSUME I'LL NEED TO DRAIN WATER FROM THE TANK'S DRAIN VALVE IF LITTLE COMES OUT THE FAUCET.
4) Remove the cold water inlet at the water heater or cold water shut-off valve, and add a quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the water heater tank.
5) Reconnect the cold water inlet, then open the cold water supply shut off valve.
6) Open faucets, showers, etc. on their hot side to let a couple gallons or so come through each fixture (to draw the peroxide into the pipes).
7) Wait 1 to 3 hours to let the hydrogen peroxide do its thing.
8) Turn on hot water faucets (one at a time) throughout the house to flush the peroxide completely from the water heater.
I'VE HEARD IT TAKES 300 GALLONS TO FULLY FLUSH A 50 GALLON TANK THIS WAY. DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES (IN TIME AND/OR GALLONS) TO FLUSH A 50 GALLON WATER HEATER THIS WAY BEFORE THE PEROXIDE IS GONE?
CAN YOU SMELL THE PEROXIDE AT THE FAUCET, TO DETECT WHEN IT IS ALL GONE?
9) Turn the gas on the water heater back on: first re-light the pilot light, then set the temperature control for normal operation.
IF THERE IS RESIDUAL PEROXIDE IN THE TANK, WOULD IT:
A) BE ANY RISK IF INGESTED?
B) CAUSE ANY HARM TO SKIN WHEN BATHING/SHOWERING? WOULD IT BLEACH HAIR WHEN BATHING?
C) HARM THE PLUMBING IN ANY WAY?
WOULD YOU SUGGEST FULLY DRAINING THE WATER HEATER USING ITS DRAIN VALVE INSTEAD OF FLUSHING THROUGH FAUCETS? WHAT DO I DO IF SEDIMENT CLOGS THE (VERY SMALL) DRAIN VALVE PASSAGE?
IS THIS PROCEDURE LIKELY TO RESOLVE THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL?
DO YOU SUGGEST A POWERED ANODE ROD?
ANY OTHER TIPS OR SUGGESTIONS?
Thanks for taking the time to review all of this. Any guidance is appreciated.
I found a basic procedure (below), but I am concerned about how to ensure all the H2O2 gets flushed out, and if any residual peroxide would be a health risk if ingested, bathed in, etc.
Please review this procedure, along with my questions in ALL CAPS (not trying to shout). Thank you!
Procedure
1) Turn off cold water supply to the water heater.
2) Note the temperature control setting on the water heater's gas control valve. Turn off the gas to the water heater. NECESSARY?
3) Open a nearby faucet, hot water side, to relieve pressure and drain a few gallons of hot water. Then close this faucet. I ASSUME I'LL NEED TO DRAIN WATER FROM THE TANK'S DRAIN VALVE IF LITTLE COMES OUT THE FAUCET.
4) Remove the cold water inlet at the water heater or cold water shut-off valve, and add a quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the water heater tank.
5) Reconnect the cold water inlet, then open the cold water supply shut off valve.
6) Open faucets, showers, etc. on their hot side to let a couple gallons or so come through each fixture (to draw the peroxide into the pipes).
7) Wait 1 to 3 hours to let the hydrogen peroxide do its thing.
8) Turn on hot water faucets (one at a time) throughout the house to flush the peroxide completely from the water heater.
I'VE HEARD IT TAKES 300 GALLONS TO FULLY FLUSH A 50 GALLON TANK THIS WAY. DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES (IN TIME AND/OR GALLONS) TO FLUSH A 50 GALLON WATER HEATER THIS WAY BEFORE THE PEROXIDE IS GONE?
CAN YOU SMELL THE PEROXIDE AT THE FAUCET, TO DETECT WHEN IT IS ALL GONE?
9) Turn the gas on the water heater back on: first re-light the pilot light, then set the temperature control for normal operation.
IF THERE IS RESIDUAL PEROXIDE IN THE TANK, WOULD IT:
A) BE ANY RISK IF INGESTED?
B) CAUSE ANY HARM TO SKIN WHEN BATHING/SHOWERING? WOULD IT BLEACH HAIR WHEN BATHING?
C) HARM THE PLUMBING IN ANY WAY?
WOULD YOU SUGGEST FULLY DRAINING THE WATER HEATER USING ITS DRAIN VALVE INSTEAD OF FLUSHING THROUGH FAUCETS? WHAT DO I DO IF SEDIMENT CLOGS THE (VERY SMALL) DRAIN VALVE PASSAGE?
IS THIS PROCEDURE LIKELY TO RESOLVE THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL?
DO YOU SUGGEST A POWERED ANODE ROD?
ANY OTHER TIPS OR SUGGESTIONS?
Thanks for taking the time to review all of this. Any guidance is appreciated.
