If you hear unusual sounds coming from your water heater, you may not give it too much thought. Maybe it is normal for your water heater to make a noise occasionally. But different sounds mean different things, and when you understand why noises are happening, you can better determine when a problem is serious.
Keep reading to learn about water heater noises that are red flags so you know when to call us for service. If you hear any of the sounds listed below or something else that concerns you, give our team a call to get on the schedule for a water heater repair in Rogers, MN.
Popping
A popping sound is most often caused by sediment buildup at the bottom of the water heater tank, leading to overheating and reduced efficiency. It happens because of hard water coming into your home that’s high in mineral content.
These minerals form a sediment that stirs up when the heating elements turn on, resulting in a popping sound. Sometimes this noise is also referred to as kettling. The sound is dangerous because these abrasive minerals can lead to corrosion inside the tank as they rub against the interior lining.
Rumbling
This sound is also caused by sediment buildup causing water to boil and creating pressure fluctuations. In this case, the sediment buildup is usually a little bit more significant, resulting in a deeper, louder sound.
Hissing
A hissing sound can happen for a couple of different reasons. First, it may be a sign of water leaking onto the active burner when it heats up. When the water leaks onto the burner, it evaporates very quickly, resulting in a hiss. It is also possible that there is excessive pressure inside the tank and a valve is releasing air to help balance pressure inside the tank. Hearing a hiss for this reason is not as concerning if it only happens occasionally.
However, if the valves are having to constantly balance pressure, it usually points to an operational issue that needs to be addressed. Allowing constant high pressure inside of your water heater can lead to serious wear and tear. You may have to replace your water heater sooner than you expect.
Banging
A loud banging noise may happen because of a phenomenon called water hammer, which is when sudden valve closures in the system create pressure shocks that can damage pipes. It usually means that water has suddenly reversed direction and is moving the opposite way compared to what it normally does through the lines.
Water hammer is dangerous because it can leave behind very serious damage inside a water heater that cannot be fixed. Instead, you’ll have to upgrade to an entirely new system, so we encourage you to address this problem as soon as you notice it.
Screeching
You may hear your water heater screech when a valve is partially closed so that it restricts some water flow, while letting a small amount of water flow through. Hearing a screeching sound can mean that there is pressure buildup and potential component failure. It needs to be addressed so that valves can open and close fully as they were designed to do as part of water heater operation.
Contact Comfort Matters Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. With you through THE HIGHS & LOWS!