Why is Your Water Heater Making Noise?

11/16/2018 (Permalink)

Hot water is the lifeblood of your morning; it jolts you awake after you begrudgingly drag yourself out of bed. It’s a must have in Quincy, IL, but what if your water heater is making noise? Is there cause for concern? Odds are you just need to do some proper maintenance. Here are some of the more common sounds that you might hear, and how to go about fixing them. 

Humming

Often a humming noise is caused by the element in your heater loosening over time, a natural occurrence as the water flows around it. Simply tightening things up will solve this problem in a jiff. 

Bumping or Knocking

This isn’t actually coming from your unit, but rather the pipes in your walls moving as the heater starts up or turns off. There’s no issue here for your heater, but you should have someone check out your pipes to avoid wall damage in the future. 

Rumbling and Popping

If you hear a rumble or pop coming from your water heater, it’s likely that some amount of sediment has cooled and settled toward the bottom of the element. When the hot water is forced through the sediment that’s gathered, it creates that sort of crackling sound. Simple maintenance should solve this problem, which is more common in older units than their more modern counterparts. A simple water heater flush should clear out that sediment, and the sounds should go away as a result. 

These are the most common noises you’ll hear from your heating unit, but a number of other things can arise as your appliance progresses through the natural wear and tear of daily use. Sediment is naturally going to gather in your heater, but you can also prevent the accumulation through a number of other ways — like a water softener installed in your water line, for example. 

The noises you’ll hear coming from your water heater often aren’t dangerous, but instead are indications that you should give it some proper care. Use the tips above to see what steps you should take, and don’t ever hesitate to reach out to trained professionals for additional help.

As always, if your home suffers a fire, water or mold damage, call the experts today at SERVPRO of Quincy!