Is your water heater making noise lately? You may be unsure about whether to call for water heater repair. The answer to your question is rather complicated. While some hot water heaters’ noises signal a dangerous problem, there are a few that need minor adjustments.
Learn to tell the difference with our troubleshooting guide to 10 common water heater noises:
- Popping
- Sizzling — Electric Water Heaters
- Sizzling — All Water Heaters
- Banging
- Screeching
- Ticking
- Humming
- Rumbling
- Crackling
- Tapping
1. Popping
Sound Description: Popping sounds similar to popcorn popping.
Possible Causes:
- Temperature Fluctuations: Drastic temperature changes in your water heater can lead to the expansion and contraction of the tank’s internal components, causing popping noises.
Solution:
- Temperature Regulation: Ensure that your water heater is set to a consistent and appropriate temperature, preventing rapid temperature fluctuations that trigger popping sounds. Having your hot water tank flushed to get rid of the mineral build-up will help. An early sign that you have mineral build-up is extremely hot water coming from your water heater. However, if the encrustation is so bad that your tank is leaking, now’s the time to replace your water heater.
2. Sizzling — Electric Water Heaters
Sound Description: A sizzling sound, often accompanied by a faint hissing noise, more common in electric water heaters vs. gas.
Possible Causes:
- Heating Element Issues: Sizzling can occur when the heating element in an electric water heater is exposed to water due to a leak or corrosion.
Solution:
- Professional Inspection: Contact a qualified technician to inspect the heating element, identify any issues, and perform necessary repairs or replacements. Occasional mild sizzles are likely nothing to worry about (start flushing the tank regularly, though). Should the noise become very loud and/or frequent, you’ll need to turn off the heat and water supply, then cool and drain the tank. A good soak in a commercial descaling solution or natural white vinegar will dissolve the deposit. You might need a stiff brush to get all of it off.
3. Sizzling — All Water Heaters
Sound Description: A sizzling sound, similar to bacon cooking in a pan.
Possible Causes:
- Condensation: Sizzling can result from condensation forming on the exterior of the water heater, especially when the unit is in a humid environment or experiences rapid temperature changes.
Solution:
- Insulation: Insulate your water heater to prevent condensation-related noises. Proper insulation can help maintain a stable temperature. A leak from the tank means your water heater is in big trouble. It means that the tank has corroded beyond repair. Talk with us about a new water heater for your home.
4. Banging
Sound Description: A loud, metallic banging or hammering sound.
Possible Causes:
- Water Hammer: Banging noises can be a result of water hammer, which occurs when water suddenly stops or changes direction in your plumbing system, creating hydraulic shock waves.
Solution:
- Water Hammer Arrestors: Install water hammer arrestors or expansion tanks within your plumbing system to absorb shock waves and eliminate banging noises. Have a professional from Hot Water Ottawa install a water hammer arrestor.
- Water Pressure Adjustment: Adjust your water pressure to the recommended levels to minimize the impact of the water hammer.
5. Screeching
Sound Description: High-pitched screeching or squealing noises.
Possible Causes:
- Faulty Pressure Relief Valve: Screeching sounds can occur if the pressure relief valve is malfunctioning or releasing excess pressure.
Solution:
- Pressure Relief Valve Inspection: Check the inlet valve and adjust if necessary so that it is completely open. Have a professional inspect and, if necessary, replace the pressure relief valve to resolve screeching issues.
6. Ticking
Sound Description: Ticking or tapping sounds resembling a clock.
Possible Causes:
- Normal Expansion and Contraction: Minor ticking noises can result from the natural expansion and contraction of the water heater’s components during heating and cooling cycles.
Solution:
- No Action Required: In most cases, minor ticking sounds are harmless and do not require intervention. Turn down the water heater thermostat to decrease pressure. A minimum of 50 degrees Celsius is recommended. Next, tighten the pipe connections.
7. Humming
Sound Description: A continuous, low-frequency humming or vibrating noise.
Possible Causes:
- Vibrating Components: Humming may occur if certain components within the water heater, such as heating elements or pipes, vibrate against each other or the unit’s enclosure.
Solution:
- Securing Components: Inspect your water heater to identify loose or vibrating components. Secure or cushion these components to eliminate humming noises. This type of noise is nothing serious. All that’s needed is to tighten the heating element.
8. Rumbling
Sound Description: If your water heater produces a deep, rumbling noise, it may resemble the sound of a rolling thunderstorm.
Possible Causes:
- Sediment Buildup: Over time, minerals and sediment can accumulate at the bottom of your water heater tank. When the heating element heats the water, it can create a rumbling noise as it pushes through the sediment layer.
- High Temperature: Setting your water heater’s temperature too high can lead to overheating, causing water to boil and create rumbling sounds.
Solution:
- Flushing the Tank: Regularly flushing your water heater tank can help remove sediment buildup. Consult your manufacturer’s guidelines for instructions on how to safely flush your unit.
- Adjusting Temperature: Reduce the temperature setting on your water heater to a safe and efficient level recommended by the manufacturer.
9. Crackling
Sound Description: Crackling noises from your water heater may resemble the sounds of popping or snapping.
Possible Causes:
- Mineral Deposits: As water heats, mineral deposits can accumulate on the heating element or the tank’s interior. When these deposits expand and contract during heating and cooling cycles, they can create crackling noises.
- Condensation: If there’s a sudden change in temperature around your water heater, such as during a cold water inlet, condensation can form and cause crackling sounds.
Solution:
- Regular Maintenance: Periodically flush and clean your water heater to remove mineral deposits. This can help prevent crackling noises.
- Insulation: Insulate the water lines leading to and from your water heater to minimize temperature fluctuations and reduce condensation-related noise.
10. Tapping
Sound Description: Tapping sounds may resemble light, rhythmic drumming or tapping on the tank’s surface.
Possible Causes:
- Water Hammer: Tapping noises can occur when water suddenly stops or changes direction in your plumbing system, creating hydraulic shock waves. These shock waves can cause pipes to vibrate and tap against nearby surfaces.
Solution:
- Water Hammer Arrestors: Install water hammer arrestors or expansion tanks in your plumbing system to absorb the shock waves and prevent tapping noises.
- Adjust Water Pressure: High water pressure can exacerbate water hammer. Consider reducing the water pressure to a recommended level.
Hot Water Ottawa Will Take Care Of Your Water Heater
Turn to Hot Water Ottawa for any water heater issue. We’ll expertly troubleshoot and repair or replace your hot water heater so that you can enjoy peace of mind.