Sewer smell

[ncplumber47]

About a year ago I bleached a water heater in a residence being used as a show home. The complaint was the silver smell common with anise rod deterioration. The hot water was not used much and the anode was in good shape. So I bleached the tank and flushed it this seemed to resolve the issue. Now a year later the same thing and when I pulled the upper element it was black in color. I am fairly certain I am looking at a bacterial issue but wanted other opinions on the subject. The water heater is in a small closet that will necessitate complete removal if anode is reached but I really feel that this is not the issue but the lack of regular use of the water heater.

 

[Geofd]

There is an anode rod you can buy that will remove that smell don't remember what its made of

 

[Twowaxhack]

Letting the tank sit for a year with little to no use is bad.

Use the tank more and you probably won’t need to do anything.

 

[ESTIMATOR]

Not using a water heater will foul the water.