Let’s be honest; water heaters have made our lives much easier. But what are you supposed to do when you notice your water heater making noise? Well, for starters, try not to panic!
Hearing odd sounds from inside the tank can be pretty haunting, but it’s actually quite common, especially during the winter season.
Just like any other machine, when your water heater begins to work overtime, it can cause an imbalance in the internal system. This leads to the occasional ringing, sizzling, or tapping sounds. In this blog, we’ll uncover all you need to know about the noise your water heater keeps making in the dead of night.
7 Sounds You Need to Keep an Ear Out For
Just like how a guitar has various chords that help distinguish musical notes, a water heater has numerous types of sounds too. These sounds might seem odd at first, but if anything, they act like a warning sign instead. Here are the top five noises you need to look out for:
1. Humming: A Rumbling or a deep humming sound is very common. This usually signifies sediment buildup in your heater or that an internal element has come loose. Since the water has to side-step the obstacle in its path, a banging noise reverberates across the walls.
2. Popping: When the steam starts to bubble up under the sediment buildup, it can seem as if the water is popping. This happens when the bubbles escape and burst when the water heats up.
3. Hissing: Found commonly in electric water heaters, a slow hissing or sizzling sound can mean there is a high amount of alkalinity in the base of the tank. So much so that the lower heating element gets buried under it. Since alkaline consists of magnesium and calcium, it rusts faster and lets out the odd crackle here and there.
4. Ticking: If you notice an offbeat ticking like a time bomb, it could be due to a sudden change in the water pressure. This happens when there are loose pipe traps inside the heater. Due to the restricted flow, water tends to pass in the wrong direction with an alternating pressure.
5. Screeching: When there are loose valves inside the water heater, it can make a loud screeching noise. Since the valves leave behind a small opening between them, the air leaks out and disrupts the overall pressure. This further causes the water to tightly squeeze through the gap, eliciting a scream in the process.
How do I Stop My Water Heater from Making Noise?
Now that you know what the noises coming from your water heater mean, you’re probably wondering how to fix it. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Try the following tips to mute the sounds once and for all:
- Drain the water heater
- Install a pressure-reducing valve
- Adjust the pipes and valves
- Install preventive insulation
- Flush out the tank every six months or so
- Replace the anode rod
- Invest in a water hammer arrestor
- Call a technician for an inspection
What’s Next?
In conclusion, inspect the outer body for leaks or loose valves if you find your water heater making noise. However, if the hammering or tapping sounds get louder, contact a professional plumbing service. Otherwise, you could be putting your house at risk of flooding due to a burst pipe. So, what are you waiting for? Call ER Ideal Plumbing at (281) 799-9694 today!