These 3 Problems Could Be Behind Your Noisy Water Heater
Posted on: 1 December 2020
A water heater is one of the appliances that every house needs, so a dysfunctional water heater can be a nightmare for anyone. And it can be especially frustrating when that broken heater is generating a lot of noise. Here are three problems that may be causing the bothersome sounds your water heater is emitting.
1. Sediment build-up
The first thing you want to check for is sediment build-up, as this is one of the most common causes behind a noisy water heater. This build-up is caused by sediment collecting in the bottom of your heater. Over time, when hot water bubbles come into contact with the sediment, it starts to create a popping noise. The noise may be irritating, but sediment build-up can cause bigger issues when it starts rusting out the bottom of your water heater. In turn, this can cause leaking. At that point, replacing the hot water system is your only option. To prevent build-up from occurring, it's crucial to flush the water heater out regularly. Empty the tank and allow the stream of the cold-water intake to rinse any possible sediment from inside the tank.
2. Loose pipe straps
Another issue that may cause weird sounds to come from your water heater stems from the connecting pipes. If you hear a ticking noise coming from your heater, it could be something as simple as water pressure fluctuations. However, it could be more serious—the pipes straps that hold the hot water lines coming loose. While this is unlikely to cause further issues, it also won't resolve on its own, leaving your water heater permanently ticking. Thankfully, there is an easy fix. All you have to do is add plastic spacers in between the pipes and the straps to stop them from jostling.
3. Poor water flow
When the water in your heater isn't flowing well, it can start to make a sizzling sound. This problem is most often caused by the unit's valves, so you should turn to them if you're looking to fix it yourself. The first valve you should look at is the temperature and pressure relief valve. This is the device that releases water from the storage tank. If the sizzling sound comes from the pressure valve, you should turn the power and water supply off and call your local plumber to handle the repairs. Another check you can perform yourself is making sure all necessary valves are open and working.
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