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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It sounds like you have an evaporative emissions valve that is sticking.
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.
Knocking, banging, or popping sounds can mean sediment buildup, water hammer, or heat trap issues. Inconsistent water temperatures or a lack of hot water.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Warning Signs Your Water Heater Needs Replacement
Faulty pressure relief valve. Loud rumbling or banging noises. Rotten egg smells indicating potential gas leak.
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.
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.
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.
Some operational noise is normal for water heaters, but escalating rumbles, thundering bangs or endless creaks and groans indicate mounting issues.