Heaters should help us have a relaxing bath, especially after a long day. However, sometimes, we encounter problems with our heater, creating noise. Thus, a supposed pleasant bath turns into a nightmare, making you overthink what went wrong.
There are several reasons why our water heaters make weird noises. But most of them are common and can be solved easily. Still, you need to be more familiar with such causes, to avoid panic. So, without further ado, here are some of the common reasons why your water heater is making noise.
8 Reasons Why Your Water Heater Is Making Noise
Sediment Accumulation
Over time, your water heater collects sediment. It could be sand, tiny stones, and other particles that stay at the bottom of your tank. It could also be caused by limescale that forms on your heater’s interior walls.
These sediments may come from the actual water supply or they could be formed when the water is heated. Regardless, any of these can create a popping sound when they accumulate.
But don’t worry, in cases like these, you won’t have to call professional service providers right away. Instead, flush the debris frequently. This will help your heater run more efficiently and maximize its life.
Sediment Build-Up is at a Critical Level
As your heater makes hot water, the water in your tank expands. If your tank has debris build-up, the hot water will pass through it. When this happens, you’ll normally hear popping sounds.
However, if there is too much build-up and has reached the critical level, it could create a rumbling sound. While it’s not harmful and will not cause your heater to explode, the sound can be bothering. And the worse part is it could cause your heater to not perform well.
To solve this, you might need to call a professional water heater repair company instead to clean it. And to prevent this from happening again, ensure that you flush it before it hits the critical level.
Leaks
Leaks can also cause your heater to make noise. If you hear a sizzling sound, especially if you turn off its burner, your heater is likely leaking.
When not detected early, this will not only affect your heater’s performance, but it could affect your wallet too. According to waterheaterleakinginfo.com/noisy-water-heater, this issue is best left in the hands of seasoned plumbers. This way, the issue is resolved right away, keeping hefty bills at bay.
Loose Heating Element
Heaters have heating elements on both the top and bottom parts. And when cold water enters and moves around the unit, the top part of the heater may shake and make humming noises.
Such sound can be bothersome. But, don’t panic yet. Your heater will be fine. You won’t need to call a plumber for this issue. Just try to fix it by tightening the heating element.
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Aluminum Anode Rods
Another thing that’s probably causing your heater to make weird noises is its anode rods. Aluminium anode rods, apparently, react with a water supply that has a high pH level. This usually happens in areas that use chlorinated water.
When they touch, a gel forms covering the rod and the bottom of the tank. And when it has build-up, your heater will produce popping sounds.
To fix this, you’ll need to remove the residue that’s contributing to the bothering sounds. However, this might take frequent effort. If you’re not fond of such a task, don’t worry, the rods are replaceable. You can just change it to a rod that’s made with magnesium.
Flow Switch
If you’re using a tankless gas water heater, you might also notice weird sounds, such as clicking. When you hear this, don’t worry, it’s a normal sound that is made when the flow switch is turned on and off.
Filthy Fan
Another issue that you might encounter is a dirty fan. Tankless water heaters usually produce sounds when their fans are dirty too. But if you’re using an electric tankless water heater, a dirty fan won’t make much noise.
To fix this, needless to say, you’ll need to clean it. Or, you can ask for professional help instead, especially if you suspect other issues.
Water is Abruptly Shut Off
If water is suddenly shut off and there’s no place for it to go, it flows back to the heater. This scenario causes a knock or hammer sound, which can be destructive. To prevent this, you may install a water hammer arrestor to absorb the shock wave that the water creates.
Sometimes, our heaters may produce bothering sounds. If you’re unaware of its common causes, you might panic and call for repair services when, sometimes, you can do the fixing yourself.
