Went into Central Supply looking for some help with a bad smell to our hot water coming from our hot water heater. I was told to get a Zinc Anode Rod to kill the smell from our hot water. I purchased this rod, per their recommendation, installed it and the smell got so much worse....practically unbearable anytime we ran the hot water. I decided to give it some time, but, the smell kept getting worse. Finally, I removed the Anode Rod and took it back to Central supply wanting either a refund or exchange for a new rod. They would NOT do either. I am out the money. This company will NOT stand behind their products.
I went home and put a plug into the water heater, instead of using the rod, and the smell was almost gone! Talked with the owners of a Well drilling company and Septic company, both told us that Anode rods make water smell worse, and to leave them out. The reason for the Anode rod is to trap bacteria and sediment to help keep the hot water heater from corrosion. Everyone we have spoken to since this situation, said their water heaters did fine without them. However, a person would need to use a rod the first 5 years after purchasing a hot water heater or the manufacturers of the water heaters will void the warranty. Ours is 5 years old, so we will not use an anode rod ever again, nor will we ever do business again with Central Supply. read more