Why is my gas hot water heater making a popping sound?

Author: Adriana Hamill  |  Last update: Friday, February 28, 2025

Is your water heater making a popping noise similar to how it sounds when your microwave is cooking popcorn? That popping noise probably means there's sediment at the bottom of your water heater tank. The solution? Simple—the tank just needs flushing.

How to fix popping noise in a water heater?

DIY Fix: Flushing the Tank
  1. Turn off power to the water heater. ...
  2. Shut off the cold water supply.
  3. Attach a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and direct the other end to a suitable drain.
  4. Open a hot water faucet elsewhere in the house for pressure relief.
  5. Open the drain valve and let the tank flush.

Is it normal for a gas water heater to pop?

If you have a gas water heater and it pops when heating, that means that there is a residual layer of minerals on the bottom and the pops are the air bubbles breaking through. Basically, it means you need to replace the heater and then remember to flush it out every six months. It's too late for this one.

Why is my gas heater making a popping sound?

The flame temperature is around 1200 degrees F (depending on the gas used). When heating, the metal of the heat exchanger gets very hot and expands. This will sometimes cause a ``cracking'' or ``popping'' sound as the metal expands during the heating cycle. This is normal and not usually a problem.

How do you know if your water heater is about to burst?

7 Warning Signs of Water Heater Explosion
  • Leaking Pressure Relief Valve. ...
  • A Consistent Popping Noise. ...
  • Rotten Egg Odor. ...
  • Brown Water. ...
  • Gas Leak. ...
  • Improper Bad Installation. ...
  • Neglecting Routine Maintenance.

Why is My Water Heater Making Popping and Crackling Sounds?

Is a popping water heater an emergency?

When this happens, you can usually solve the problem by flushing the water tank out. However, if banging, cracking, popping, or rumbling noises persist, you should call a technician, as you may be experiencing a more complicated and dangerous issue in the tank, potentially requiring you to replace your whole system.

What does it sound like when your water heater is going out?

Hearing strange noises, such as popping, banging, or rumbling, coming from your water heater is a cause for concern. These noises typically indicate that there is an issue within the tank.

Why does my gas tank make a popping noise?

It sounds like you have an evaporative emissions valve that is sticking.

What may cause a gurgling or popping sound coming from a firing water heater?

Gurgling or boiling sounds are usually a sign of sediment buildup, causing water to overheat and produce steam bubbles. Popping sounds are caused by water trapped under the sediment layer, indicating a need for tank flushing to remove the sediment.

Why does my gas hot water heater make a banging sound?

Knocking, banging, or popping sounds can mean sediment buildup, water hammer, or heat trap issues. Inconsistent water temperatures or a lack of hot water.

What does a normal gas water heater sound like?

Normal Noises
  • Crackling. The crackling sound normally occurs with gas-powered water heaters. ...
  • Humming. Humming is also a normal sound to come from your water heater. ...
  • Ticking. Ticking is the final normal sound you can expect from your water heater. ...
  • Popping. ...
  • Sizzling. ...
  • Screeching. ...
  • Rumbling. ...
  • Related Posts:

How much does it cost to flush a hot water heater?

Expect a pro to charge you between $75 and $200 to come to your home to flush your water heater, depending on where you live. While this cost deters many homeowners from performing this annual maintenance, it can extend the water heater's lifespan by years, making it worth the additional cost.

How do you know if your gas hot water heater is broken?

Noisy or making strange noises.

Most hot water systems do make minor noise as it heats up the water in your home. However, strange, loud noises such as hissing, popping, cracking or banging are uncommon. If you hear a hissing sound coming out from your hot water system, it most likely means the tank has burst.

Why is my hot water heater still popping after flushing?

What Causes a Water Heater Popping Sound After Flushing? If your water heater is popping, vibrating, or rumbling, the likely culprit is sediment or scale buildup on the inside of the tank.

How often should I flush my water heater?

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.

How do I stop my water heater from knocking?

Does your water heater make a knocking/rumbling noise that could wake the dead? If so, your water heater tank has most likely collected a thick layer of sediment (minerals like calcium and lime). The solution: Drain the water heater tank and flush out the sediment.

How to stop a water heater from popping?

Popping noises are usually a sign you need to flush your water heater tank. We recommend calling a professional to flush your tank at least once a year to prevent sediment build-up.

Can I flush my water heater myself?

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.

What does a water heater sound like before it explodes?

Warning Signs Your Water Heater Needs Replacement

Faulty pressure relief valve. Loud rumbling or banging noises. Rotten egg smells indicating potential gas leak.

Why does my gas heater make a popping sound?

Popping. If you hear popping sounds and you don't have a bag of popcorn in the microwave, you could be dealing with dirty furnace burners or damaged air ducts. When the burners are dirty, the buildup prevents them from igniting, which causes too much gas to build up, making a popping sound.

What is the popping sound from my water tank?

Is your water heater making a popping noise similar to how it sounds when your microwave is cooking popcorn? That popping noise probably means there's sediment at the bottom of your water heater tank. The solution? Simple—the tank just needs flushing.

Why is there a loud noise coming from my gas tank?

If you hear whining or growling sounds coming from your car, truck, or C/SUV's fuel tank, you likely have a problem with a malfunctioning fuel pump. J&M Auto Service can replace the fuel pump when it needs it. The average lifespan of this pump is about 100,000 miles.

Is it normal for a gas water heater to make noise?

Some operational noise is normal for water heaters, but escalating rumbles, thundering bangs or endless creaks and groans indicate mounting issues.

How to drain a gas hot water heater quickly?

How do you drain a water heater?
  1. Step 1: Shut off the water to your water heater. ...
  2. Step 2: Turn off the power to the water heater. ...
  3. Step 3: Give the water time to cool off. ...
  4. Step 4: Attach a hose to the drain valve. ...
  5. Step 5: Turn on a hot water faucet. ...
  6. Step 6: Open the drain valve (let the water out)

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