Why Is Your Water Heater Making Strange Noises?

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

Your water heater is not immune from alarming you with bizarre sounds

You know it's never a good thing when your household appliances make odd noises. Your water heater is not immune from alarming you with bizarre sounds. This appliance works hard and bears the brunt of years of wear and tear. You also heavily rely on it, so any issues could cause inconveniences. Understanding what causes these sounds can help you make necessary repairs and do proper maintenance.

Keeping it in Good Condition

If you want your unit to last for years and run efficiently, regular upkeep is critical. The best thing you can do for the heater is to perform an annual water heater flush. To do this, follow these steps:

• Turn off the power to the water heater and connect a garden hose to the hose bib.
  
• Open the drain valve and turn on a nearby hot water faucet.
  
• Allow the tank to empty.
  
• Remove the drain valve and use a brush to clean the bottom of the tank
  
  

Cracking and Popping Sounds

As your heater ages, it will start to accumulate sediment deposits at the bottom of the tank. These sounds you hear are the minerals heating up. The flush should take care of this.

Humming

If you have an electric water heater in your Alexandria, MN, home, the element could be causing this sound. The fix is simple. Just tighten the element.

Screeching

This high-pitched noise can be annoying, but the problem shouldn't be too significant. Check all the valves on your water heater and water lines. If any are not fully closed, close them, and the sound should stop.

Hammering

This occurs when the water is turned off suddenly, causing nearby pipes to move. This movement can damage the exterior and walls of the heater. A plumber or technician from a water damage removal company can help you address water hammer issues.
You can't afford for your water heater to work improperly or inefficiently. Pay attention to these noises and address them right away.