Common Water Heater Noises and What They Mean | Insight from Your Trusted Plumber in The Woodlands, TX

Photo By John-Kelly at istock

The water heater in your home never gets a break. It works hard around the clock to make sure that there is always hot water in your house ready for use. It's easy to forget about your water heater until something goes wrong because it is hidden away in a garage or utility closet, but it's not something you should ignore. Not only can a water heater emergency result in a cold shower, it can also result in a lot of flood damage.

For this reason, you should pay attention to any sounds or odd actions that your water heater may be making. These sounds can be a clue to an issue with your water heater. Prompt action can save you a lot of money and hours of frustration while you wait for a plumber from The Woodlands, TX to show up. Here are a few of the most common sounds that a water heater may make, and what they mean.

Popping Sounds

A good sign that you should call a plumber is a popping, cracking, or clunking noise that is coming from the vicinity of your water heater. If you hear any noise that could fall into this category, it is probably a sign of mineral buildup on the bottom of the tank. Mineral buildup is unavoidable because after years of use with hard water the magnesium carbonate and calcium deposits collect and slowly drift to the bottom of the tank.

Popping noises from your water heater may indicate that the sediment at the bottom of your tank is getting thick and lowering the efficiency of your water tank. This is because the thick layer may start interfering with heat transfer. You don't want to ignore this problem for long because it will have short term and long-term effects. For now, you will notice that your electricity or gas bill (depending on the type of water heater) is probably inching higher and higher. Down the road, if you don't call a plumber your water heater will fail. Replacing a water heater is much more expensive than repairing one, so it's smart to call in a plumber sooner than later.

The good news is that regular water heater maintenance or even an on-demand service call can easily fix this problem. A plumber can clean out the sediment with simple maintenance and restore the performance level of your water heater. It is a good idea to have a routine visit booked every year to ensure your water heater reaches its full lifespan.

Hissing Noises

Sometimes a hissing noise can be normal, and sometimes it can be a sign of mineral buildup in an electric water heater. To judge what is going on in your case it depends on how your water heater usually performs. If you have an electric water heater that has always made a hissing sound then this is probably normal for your model. You can have a plumber check it, but some simply hiss as the water warms.

However, if the sound is new then it is more likely an indication that the sediment is building up. The heating electrodes are prone to hissing as they heat up if the sediment is settled in over top of them. It's similar to oil crackling in a pan as it heats. As mentioned above, a simple call to a plumber can alleviate the problem and lengthen the lifespan of your water heater.

Banging Noises

Booming or banging from a water heater can indicate a very serious problem, so it should not be taken lightly. If you hear booming or banging at the beginning of your water heater's cycle then immediately turn it off and call your plumbing service in The Woodlands, TX right away. This constitutes a plumbing emergency because the sounds might be a warning that the oil or gas is reigniting when the burner starts. If this is left unaddressed your water heater could actually explode.

A banging noise can also mean that the thermal expansion in your water heater is higher than normal. If this is the case then you will usually notice the noise when the water heater is reheating a large amount of water. It is most commonly noticed when you turn your water heater back on after a long trip or vacation. However, since the banging noise can also indicate the potential for a deadly explosion, any banging noise should be investigated by a plumbing service. If something serious is occurring the plumber can troubleshoot the crisis, and if it is thermal expansion then adding an expansion tank could resolve the issue.

Whistling or Screeching Sounds

Screeching or whistling sounds might unnerve you in the middle of the night, but usually, they are not signs for alarm. Once you get over your shock, take a look at the control valve near the water heater and check to see if it is partly closed off for some reason. Reopening the valve may solve the issue. Then take a look at the exhaust flue. Sometimes it can be releasing the air at an odd angle which creates the whistling noise when you turn up the temperature of your water heater. If you can't figure out the problem or are uncomfortable with making any of these adjustments just call a plumbing service in The Woodlands, TX. They can easily sort out the problem.

Ticking, Tapping, or Clicking Noises

For the most part, any ticking, tapping, or clicking noises from your water heater are normal. They are a normal part of the water heater operating and are nothing to be alarmed about. However, any new noise or something that sounds off to you is always worth further investigation.

bluefrog Plumbing and Drain of Northwest Houston is always happy to come out and investigate any odd noises your water heater may be making. We will send out one of our highly experienced plumbers to investigate and resolve the matter for you. If you have any worries, give us a call today.