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.
Yes, it's normal. As the metals in the water heater heat up or cool down it will make a little noise during the process. Gas water heaters make more noise than electric ones.
Strange noises like hissing, crackling, or popping from the tank can also indicate the element is damaged. Finally, if your water heater keeps tripping the circuit breaker, that could mean the element has short-circuited.
Should you drain your hot water heater every year? Yes, but that's really just the bare minimum. You should really drain and flush your water heater twice-per-year: once in the spring, and then again in the fall. The reason why comes back to what a water heater is flushing out: minerals and sediment.
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.
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.
The national average cost to flush a water heater is $160, but prices can vary in increments based on the tank size. A 30-gallon tank will cost between $90 and $120 on average, while a 70-gallon tank could cost anywhere between $180 and $250.
Keep an eye out for debris suddenly showing up in your water. If you notice sediment or any brown sludge coming out of your faucet, that's probably an indication that it's time for a water heater flush. If you see any of these signs, it's a good indication that your water heater needs maintenance.
A water heater making humming noise is probably caused by a loose heating element. The loose element makes the water around it vibrate, creating a humming sound. Tightening the element should eliminate the hum.
To test the element, you must measure its resistance. Switch the multimeter settings to measure resistance and place the nodes on the two screws. A functioning heating element should read between 10 and 30 ohms. The heating element is broken if the meter reads 1 or 0.
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.
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.
The rumbling sound itself is not a problem. It's just an indicator that there is quite a build-up of sediment, and now that you know, you should address it promptly. Sediment can cause significant difficulties for your water heater.
If neither you nor a professional have flushed your water within the last five years, Water Heaters Now recommends not flushing it yourself.
This is because the process of installing a new water heater can be quite complex and often requires the use of special tools and equipment. Additionally, the cost of labor for this type of project can be quite high.
You can flush your water heater yourself if it's done on a regular basis. This guide will take you through the steps to drain and flush a gas or electric water heater. Learning how to clean a water heater is an essential part of maintaining your plumbing system.
It is recommended that you flush your water heater at least once per year. Doing so will help to prevent the potential problems that sediment can bring over time. Typically, it takes one to two hours to flush a water heater. The size of your tank will impact the amount of time it takes to drain.
If the water comes out noticeably slower when you're running “hot” water than when you're running cold water, you can probably assume there's something wrong (probably excess sediment in your tank). Strange noises – Knocking, clanging, taps, banging…
Get a portable tankless water heater
One emergency solution for escaping a cold shower is a portable tankless water heater, whether electric or gas-powered. Electric tankless water heaters are a lot easier to deal with.
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.