Why does a water heater make noise? This is because of several issues such as sediment buildup, rumbling, popping, burning, crackling, popping, hissing, pipes in the building, sizzling, and leaky water heater.
Believe it or not, a light sizzle or a crack can turn a shower into a nightmare. Always find the cause to avoid the issues with the water heater the moment you hear the noises of a pop, rumble, and hum. So, without further ado, use this article as a guide to know why the water heater is noisy. Below are the sounds and the causes you will usually hear. My friends, there are more things that you should know, so without further ado, let’s start!
Causes Why A Water Heater Makes Noise
Here are the top causes why a water heater makes some noise.
#1. Mineral deposit accumulation
The heater tank builds up mineral deposits, especially with hard water. The water progresses to your home and traps calcium carbonate and magnesium materials. The good thing is that these won’t bring harm to your health.
#2. Sediment buildup
The storage tank on the device has debris that holds water at the burner’s position. The unit makes water heated and makes a similar noise to a coffee maker. The noise occurs with the water that bubbles while passing the sediment layer. Just imagine water covered in the pot. When the water heats up, it also bubbles and continues with the lid. The heater then does not cause an explosion in your home.
The debris overheats the tank, which results in an even weaker tank. The tank has leaks causing issues to your home. It causes bursting in the container. If you experience these issues, spend more dollars or more on repairing your building. Avoid dirt from building up inside the tank. Flush the water heater as immediately as possible. Never postpone this one for an extended time, or the quantity of residue makes flushing harder to do.
#3. Rumbling
The liquid gets bigger and exceeds the debris as the device creates hot water. You notice that rumbling sound, with water moving throughout the dirt if this happens. The rumbling means to say you have a considerable quantity of soil in a heater. Although it does not bring harm, it only shows the heater will not work well. Avoid this problem as you remove the dirt inside the tank. Never leave the soil, or it will damage the heater, as this can result in additional costs in replacements or repairs.
#4. Popping
Why does a water heater make noise? Because of years of using it, it builds up more residues inside the tank that result in the popping sounds. Clean it out right away to eliminate limescale buildup. The residue comes in different forms while the solid particle sticks underneath the tank. This can be in the tiny stones, sand, and particles and this can be in minerals forming as limescale in the heater’s interior walls.
#5. Sizzling
Sizzling sound means the water is not flowing into the tank properly. Trace this issue to the unit valves. Continue with the pressure relief and temperature valve. The heater emits the water in the storage tank, like excess pressure. Switch off the water supply and power the moment you hear the sizzling sound. Contact a local plumber to carry out some repairs. Look through the valve which controls the water flow in a tank. Make sure you open the valves. Also, continue to the other lines for some bends. Search for some closed valves to open.
#6. Building pipes
Building pipes only create annoying noises other than the water heater. As cold and warm water passes the lines, they also change the tube’s diameter. As these pipes grow immensely, they hit the delicate straps and the wooden frames. This somehow results in the ticking sound. Track the sound at the loudest point possible. Tighten it after you have found it. Use some spacers when you lock it and position it. Halter the noise as you decrease the water heater’s pressure. Reduce the unit’s temperature while you carry out this task.
#7. Humming
A humming noise comes out of a water heater. As cold water passes through the tank, it continues throughout the unit. The topmost part shakes and creates sound. Then, the hum frustrates anyone but does not wreak havoc on the heater or other components. Solve this issue as you tighten the heating element.
#8. Ticking
Piping that creates constant changes in the pressure also develops a ticking sound. The water heater comes with nipples also connected to the pipes. Then, the nipples feature something that stores heat and makes the device work well. The trick requires swapping it with a model but with no heat trap. You may also want to read about replacing the water heater before it fails.
It’s A Wrap!
Now you learn to answer this question, “why does a water heater make noise?” There are many noises to observe the most, like the ticking, humming, building pipes, popping, sediment buildup, mineral deposit accumulation. Once you hear any of these noises, be wary and grab the best equipment to fix the issue. You may want to read related articles; know how to test water heater thermostats and how to clean calcium out of water heater.