How To Troubleshoot 5 Common Water Heater Noises

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of your water heater.

In a perfect world, your water heater would operate so silently and efficiently that you never have to think about it. In Ogden, UT, however, water heaters make noise. Here are five of the most common types of “concert” that they can perform and how to put an end to the performance.

5 Common Water Heater Noises

1. Screaming or Singing

When your unit makes a loud, screechy noise, it often means that there’s a valve that’s not opened completely. Check not only the water heater’s valves, but also your water lines and sinks.

2. Humming

This type of noise typically indicates that your electric water heater’s heating element needs to be tightened. The hum is produced by the flow of water surrounding the element creating a vibration.

3. Tapping

The pipes atop your water heater likely have heat traps on them that keep water flowing in the correct direction. It’s common for this to create a tapping sound from time to time, but if it’s bothersome, try replacing the manufacturer’s heat trap with a dielectric nipple from your local home improvement store.

4. Rumbling or Popping

These sounds are likely the result of sediment buildup in your tank. The popping happens when the trapped sediment is heated by the hot water. The rumbling occurs when the flow of water in the tank stirs the accumulated debris. To eliminate sediment, perform a water heater flush.

5. Hammering

Water hammering happens when the water flowing in and out of your water heater’s tank is shut off. Sometimes, this can cause the pipes in your walls to shake and shudder, essentially like an aftershock. While this jostling isn’t harmful to your water heater’s tank or other elements, it can cause damage to your home's walls over time. If hammering occurs regularly, consider putting in a water hammer arrestor.

Ask any water damage restoration company, and its technicians will tell you: Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of your water heater. Keep an ear out for trouble, and you can solve simple issues before they turn into big problems.