A rotten egg smell that only comes from the hot tap usually traces to the water heater. Here is the San Clemente guide.
Why it happens
Bacteria reacting with the anode rod inside the tank produce the rotten egg smell. It is a hot-water-only issue when the cold water smells fine.
The quick test
Run both taps and compare. If only the hot smells, the tank is the source.
The fixes
Replacing the anode rod with a different material, flushing the tank, or treating the water all help, depending on the cause.
The call
A pro can identify the right fix. mineral-rich water varies by region, and older neighborhoods still run on aging galvanized or copper lines In San Clemente, the anode rod swap is a common solution.
Lose the smell
Clean hot water is worth the fix. Call 888-217-3585 and San Clemente Plumber Connect will match you with a San Clemente pro.
Plumbing in San Clemente: what to know
In San Clemente, mineral-rich water varies by region, and older neighborhoods still run on aging galvanized or copper lines. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Orange County — from San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and Laguna Niguel to ZIP codes like 92673, 92624, 92675 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in San Clemente?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and San Clemente Plumber Connect will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in San Clemente.