Water Heater Noises

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Water Heater Noises

You may not give much thought to your Gainesville, GA home’s water heater until it starts to malfunction. One major giveaway is certain sounds it might start to make where it ran quietly in the past. While not all of these sounds are cause for alarm, there are a few that may be pointing to trouble or the need for maintenance.

1. Hammering Sounds

If your water heater makes hammering or banging sounds, this may be startling but is usually not a cause for alarm. This means that someone in the family has turned the water off suddenly, which may cause the pipes to vibrate. When this happens, the pipes may knock against the wall. Wrapping them in heat-resistant soft insulation can fix this problem and prevent long-term damage to the wall.

2. Screaming

This sound can also be startling because it sounds like the entire unit may burst at any moment. However, this usually means a valve somewhere in the unit, the lines or at another connected source may not be closed all the way. If you cannot chase it down, you may want to call in a water damage and restoration company to help you find the source of the faulty valve and inspect any lines for damage.

3. Crackling and Popping

If your water heating unit sounds like it is boiling rocks every time it turns on, this may not be too far from the truth. Over time, sediment can build up at the bottom of the tank and cause crackling or popping as the water forces its way through the buildup during the heating process. A water heater flush can rectify this issue.

Some noises your Gainesville, GA, home’s water heater might make can be alarming. However, when you understand their sources, you can take the steps necessary to resolve or repair the problem before it becomes too serious.