Your water heater is your home’s workhorse, tirelessly and quietly performing its job of supplying hot water to your home when you need it. But sometimes water heaters become noisy and start to emit a range of sounds that can be worrisome when you don’t know what’s causing them.
Because you depend so heavily on your water heater, it’s important to stay on top of potential water heater problems. If you have a tankless or tank water heater in Chambersburg, PA, you should be on alert for any of these sounds that indicate it’s time to call for water heater repair. You don’t want to find yourself without hot water for even a day.
Here’s a list of common noises you may hear from your water heater. Schedule service with us and we’ll determine what’s wrong and get it fixed.
Rumbling, Kettling, and Popping Noises
- What it sounds like: A low and steady rumbling is an alarming sound that might make you fearful that your water heater is about to erupt! A kettling noise is similar to water heating in a kettle.
- What could be causing it: These noises usually mean the water heater has excess sediment inside its tank. Dissolved minerals tend to settle at the bottom of the tank over the heat exchanger which is where the water is heated. The layer of sediment traps water beneath it. As the water is heated, it percolates through the sediment,
- What’s the solution: Scheduling a water heater flushing is an easy solution.
Screeching and Screaming Sounds
- What it sounds like: These high-pitched noises will sound a bit like horror movie sound effects! An occasional screech isn’t worrisome. It’s when these noises are persistent that it’s problematic.
- What could be causing it: These usually indicate an issue with pressure. It could be that the pressure relief valve isn’t working properly. This component allows hot water to pass through the system and lets out pressure in the water heater’s tank. When it’s not working correctly, the pressure builds up in the tank, creating that high-pitched screech or scream.
- What’s the solution: Failure to address a build-up of pressure in your water heater could cause it to leak, crack, or potentially explode. If it’s the pressure relief valve, a professional plumber may be able to replace it.
Sizzling
- What it sounds like: This noise is similar to the sound of bacon frying in a pan or boiling water overflowing from a pot and landing on the burners of a stove.
- What could be causing it: A sizzling noise could indicate a leak in the water heater. The sound occurs when leaking water drips onto the burner. A leak could also result in no hot water and water pooling on the floor where the water heater is located.
- What’s the solution: Leaks are a serious problem and need to be checked out immediately by a professional technician. You may need a water heater replacement if the leaks are bad enough.
To schedule your water heater repair, contact Premier HVAC Services today!