A water heater making noise like water running could simply be the water entering the tank. However, If the sound continues, it could indicate a leak or a broken pipe.
A water heater making strange noises could be a sign that the unit is beginning to fail. These sounds may include popping, banging, or even rumbling.
The noise produced by a water heater during the heating process is typically caused by the expansion and contraction of the metal components as the temperature changes. This is a normal occurrence in most water heaters and is often characterized by popping, crackling, or rumbling sounds.
While today's water heaters are better designed than older models, they still require regular maintenance in order to prolong their lives. With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.
If your hot water is no longer coming out hot or is only hot some of the time, it may be time to replace the heater. Sometimes the devices and mechanisms inside will wear down or break, causing your heater to stop heating. In some cases, this may require a simple repair.
Thanks to modern safety features and regulations, water heater explosions are rare. In 2022, 108 incidents involving hot water heaters were reported to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Even if the problem starts small, a crack or spot of rust can quickly lead to tank leaks if you aren't careful. As we've already mentioned, a leaking water heater is an emergency and should be handled with a sense of urgency.
When your heater turns on, noises like popping and banging are normal. There could be a few reasons why heaters make this sound, like dirty burners that need cleaning, or an excessive amount of gas inside the chambers.
Soundproofing insulation: While many water heaters come with exterior insulation, some don't. Fitting your noisy water heater with insulation is a great place to start if it doesn't have insulation already. Even if it does, you can improve the effect by replacing the existing material with soundproofing insulation.
Most homeowners should flush their water heaters every 6 months or so, but if you have extremely hard water, you may want to do it more often. Flushing your hot water heater could be necessary as often as every few months depending on the mineral content of your local water supply.
The bottom line? While some clanking and rumbling can potentially be mitigated through DIY methods, any sudden loud noises combined with signs of leaks, smells, electrical hazards or other safety concerns merit shutting your water heater down and calling in the experts without hesitation.
Hiring a plumber to come to your home and flush your water heater costs between $75 and $250, or an average cost of $160.
Sound Type: The sound produced is usually a low hum or fan noise, which is less intrusive than the popping or crackling noises associated with traditional gas water heaters. However, some users report occasional clicking noises during operation, especially when the unit is recovering heat.
Accordingly, when the water heater is not flushed, the built-up sediment hampers the functioning and performance of the heater and also damages the heater and your plumbing system.
Water heaters show several signs of going bad, including lack of hot water, temperature fluctuations, decreased water pressure, strange noises, rotten egg smell, visible leaks, rusty or discolored water, and increased energy bills. If your water heater is over 10 years old, it may be time to consider a replacement.
Based on the manufacturer's suggested service life, the average life expectancy of a water heater is about 8 to 12 years. That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality.
Popping Noise
Another sign of a potential explosion waiting to happen in your water heater would be those frequent popping noises you hear as sediment buildup settles to the bottom of the tank. The sediment blocks the heating element, creating a barrier between the heat source and the water in the tank.
That increase in environmental dryness contributes heavily to fire danger risks. However, as Smokey the Bear says: “Only You can prevent forest fires!” Also, that saying applies directly to water heater owners. While surprising to some, water heater malfunctions now cause hundreds of fires yearly.
Naturally, tanks that heat more gallons of water typically have a higher price point, so the larger the tank size, the more you can expect to pay. For example, the average 40-gallon water heater installation cost runs between $1,000 and $2,500, while its 80-gallon counterpart runs between $2,650 and $3,910.
The Home Depot partners with local, licensed and insured professionals to help homeowners choose the right water heater for their home. If you live within 30 miles of a Home Depot store and call us before noon at 1-800-HOME-DEPOT, our team offers same-day installation.
If there are no issues or complications, a licensed plumber should be able to complete the process in 2-3 hours.
The price depends on whether you want an electric or gas water heater. The basic installation fee at Lowe's is around $320. But, before the contractor can set up the heater, they'll need to come to your home to check the conditions and determine the best location for it. This inspection will cost you an additional $34.