Your home’s water heater will normally make some noise as it does its job to heat up the tank and supply the house with hot water. However, there are some noises that can indicate a problem with the water heater. This is particularly true when these sounds come on all of a sudden. Some common noises that can come from a water heater include banging, hissing, ticking, whistling, or popping. These can all be signs of a problem and should be addressed accordingly to keep your water heater running in top condition.
The problem may be as simple as a build-up of sediment in the tank or a pressure level that needs adjusting. In some cases, you may be able to correct the problem yourself but for other issues, a trained HVAC technician can assist and make any necessary repairs.
The following are some of the common sounds that might indicate a problem with your water heater:
Banging or Rumbling
It isn’t unusual to hear a banging or rumbling noise coming from the water heater. However, if this has gotten louder over time it may be a sign that there is an excess of sediment build-up inside the water heater. This can often be corrected by draining the tank entirely, something that should be done yearly anyway.
Crackling or Hissing
A persistent crackling or hissing noise coming from the water heater may indicate that something is obstructing the system’s heating element. Since this involves the electrical components of the system, you should have a technician address and troubleshoot this problem.
Ticking
A ticking sound coming from your water heater can be very unnerving. Fortunately, this isn’t quite as ominous as it sounds. The ticking is likely caused by a change in the water pressure. By locating the water heater’s pressure-reducing valve, you should be able to adjust the pressure to eliminate the ticking sound.
Squealing or Whistling
A high pitched whistling sound coming from the water heater is usually caused by air being released through loose valves. You can check the system’s valves to make sure they are properly adjusted. If this does not correct the problem, an HVAC technician can assist with finding the source of the whistling noise.
Popping
This sound can also be caused a build-up of sediment in the tank. As the alkali in the water reacts with the water heater’s heating element, the resulting sound may be a loud pop. Draining the tank entirely will likely correct the problem, removing the excess sediment.
Any time an abnormal sound continues to be heard from your hot water heater for an extended period of time, you should have this addressed. If simple troubleshooting yourself does not correct the problem, don’t hesitate to call a professional to take a look at the system.
