A few things match the frustration of turning the water heater on, and it makes an unusual noise.
The importance of a water heater during winter and in cold areas cannot be understated. It provides warm or hot water for use in the bathroom, the dishwasher, the laundry machine, and more. But if it starts making noises out of the blue, it could spell trouble and many inconveniences.
That said, depending on the kind of noise your hot water heater makes, you may be able to address the issue. So, here are the four most common water heater noises and their common causes. Knowing the sounds and the relevant causes can help you easily fix the heater.
Identifying And Solving The 4 Common Water Heater Noises
1. Banging Or Rumbling - Sediment Buildup
There’s a good chance your water heater will make a banging or rumbling sound in its lifetime. The reason for this can be traced back to the tank: the longer a water heater runs, the more sediment accumulates in its tank.
When these sediments come in contact with hot water, they shift inside the tank, causing the instantly recognisable banging noise. The longer sediments build up, the more problems they can cause, so it’s imperative to resolve them as quickly as possible.
How To Solve This Issue
If you’ve dealt with plumbing or water heating systems before, you can remove the deposit build-up with some effort. First, flush and drain the hot water tank to examine how bad the scaling is. Accordingly, you may need professional help to clear it out properly.
Next, use a long water hose to remove as much of the build-up as possible. If necessary, use a descaling solution to break down the scaling. Once the sediment clears out, consider washing the tank with freshwater before using it again.
It would be best if you also had the heater looked at annually. For a nominal fee, a plumber will flush out the tank and clear the sediments quickly and effectively.
2. Crackling Or Hissing - Sediment Buildup/Condensation
If you have an electric water heater, you may hear a crackling or hissing sound. Much like the banging or rumbling sounds in tank heaters, you will encounter crackling sounds from an electric heater due to sediment build-up.
Due to the sediment build-up, your electric heater’s heating element must work harder to heat water. When this happens, you will see a noticeable increase in your electric bills, so keep an ear out for this problem.
Alternatively, if you have a gas water heater, you may find it making hissing sounds. This is due to condensation inside the heater, which then drops onto the burners, often causing sizzling sounds. Usually, a hissing sound in gas water heaters is a sign of a potential leak.
How To Solve This Issue
The solution for electric water heaters is to clear out the sediment build-up annually. You may rely on a licensed plumber or your DIY skills to solve the issue.
When a gas heater makes hissing sounds, it’s best to rely on professional help. Don’t delay contacting a plumber; contact them when you hear the noise. Left unattended, it can lead to serious concerns about the heater and your safety.
3. Screeching - Water Pressure Buildup
Screeching noises coming from a water heater are very similar to those made by a kettle, as is the reason behind them. A water heater emits a screeching or screaming noise when the water flowing through its check valves gets restricted significantly. If water can’t get through the check valves properly, pressure builds up, which can be alleviated by a water hammer arrestor, thereby preventing potential problems.
How To Solve This Issue
The difficulty of solving this issue may vary from one heater model to the next, but the gist of the solution remains the same.
First, examine the pressure-releasing valve to see if it has built up too much pressure, as this fault occurs most frequently. But if it’s not the pressure relief valve causing problems, consider also looking into the inlet and outlet valves. You may be able to ensure that they are correctly adjusted using the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Ticking - Heat Traps/Loose Parts
Ticking or popping sounds can indicate different problems, as no single component in a water heater makes this noise. Your heater could create a ticking sound because of water pressure changes, expanding and contracting heat traps or loose pipe straps.
Fortunately, the problems associated with ticking sounds are all reasonably easy to fix, and the consequences of not attending to them immediately are not severe.
That said, water pressure changes have the greatest potential for damage. If they are too frequent or drastic, they can damage the heater, necessitating repairs.
How To Solve This Issue
To stop your heater’s ticking noises, you should first identify the source of the problem. This is usually simple and quick, taking a few minutes at most.
The pressure-reducing valve controls the water pressure in the heater. Next, extra straps or insulation should be installed to resolve the issue with loose pipe straps. Lastly, you can switch out the heat traps for non-heat-trapping nipples.
But if the ticking continues alarmingly, you should call a technician.
Be At Peace With Your Hot Water System!
A water heater making noise can be alarming, but more often than not, it is not a cause for concern. The issues that cause your heater to make noises can usually be swiftly diagnosed and treated, ensuring your heater is making noises no more.
When you encounter such noises, turn the heater off and wait for it to cool down. Dealing with a noisy heater is a simple matter of identifying the source of the problem, and the noise itself can lead to the correct solution.
Lastly, even if your heater doesn’t make any noises or show any signs of a problem, you should have the device looked at. A professional will be able to resolve the issue and provide you with valuable information on the matter so that it doesn’t occur again.
If you ever need help installing or repairing a water heater in Sydney, contact Service First Plumbing. Our efficient and affordable services are available anywhere in Sydney, 24 hours a day, throughout the year.
