Why Your Water Heater is Noisy and What To Do About It

12/9/2019 (Permalink)

Make sure you keep up on maintenance on your water heater

Why Your Water Heater is Noisy and What To Do About It

When you have new appliances, you expect them to run efficiently and without issues. As these items age, however, they'll start to wear out and eventually fail. It's no different with your water heater. One of the first signs of trouble with this appliance is that you may hear it making loud noises. If you address this quickly, you should be able to repair the heater and get some more years out of it.

Maintaining Yours

Most water heaters should last at least 10 years, especially if you properly maintain it. Neglect could result in more significant wear and tear. Pay attention to the following upkeep guidelines:

• Make sure there is at least 2 feet of clearance around the heater.
  
• Conduct a water heater flush by draining a quarter of it at least twice a year.
  
• Turn off the cold water supply, connect a hose to the drain valve and run the water until it's clear.
  
  

Popping Noise

The next you're by your water heater, take a second and listen for any unusual sounds. If you hear a popping sound, it's probably because there is a buildup of sediment in the tank. This can happen because you have not flushed the water in a long time (if at all). Flushing the water should loosen up the sediment and get it out. If you don't flush the tank, it can deteriorate and develop a leak.

Screeching Noise

This is a common noise as well. Fortunately, it isn't as big of a concern. The noise is caused when there is a valve in the heater that's not completely open. Take a look at the valves in the heater's water line. If you need a hand with this, you can get in touch with a professional water cleanup company.
You rely on your water heater every day for comfort and convenience. Make sure you keep up on maintenance and address strange noises coming from the appliance.