Beware of These Ghastly Water Heater Sounds
Is the water heater going bump in the night? It shouldn't be. Water heaters are the house's silent hero, bringing hot water to a home's dishwasher, showers, and sinks. If a water heater is making noises that belong in a horror flick, it's a sign something has gone wrong.
To prevent a nightmare for the house, homeowners should investigate these strange water heater sounds immediately.
Phantasmic Popping
Unless popcorn is popping for a movie night, a house should be free of popping noises. When a water heater has begun popping up a storm, it's a sign that sediment and minerals have built up in the heater tank. Homes with hard water are more susceptible to sediment build-up, but the problem can arise in any water heater.
Sediment build-up is a major risk to the home and its residents. As minerals build-up, water can become trapped beneath. This water will heat faster and try to escape its entrapment under the minerals. Eventually, this water will boil over, possibly leading to an exploding tank as the pressure rises. Homeowners can avoid this disaster by having their water heater flushed by a certified plumbing expert once a year.
Screeching and Screaming
When pipes start howling like ghosts, homeowners should inspect the water heater. Screeching pipes are a sign of water-flow restriction in the pipes. This can occur for one of two reasons: a closed-off inlet valve or build-up in the pipes.
The water heater's inlet valve controls the amount of cold water allowed to enter the water heater from the main water line of the house. When the inlet valve is partially closed, water will force its way through the smaller space, creating a screeching sound. Similarly, when debris or sediment such as lime-scale builds up in the pipes leading to the water heater, water will have a smaller space to travel through, leading to squealing and screeching noises.
Typically, a certified plumbing technician can address this problem by opening the inlet control valve and cleaning out any debris within the pipes.
Cackles and Crackling
Gas-powered water heaters may experience the occasional crackle and cackle coming from the unit, but these ghostly noises aren't usually too big of a threat to the home. Typically, crackling indicates condensation has built up in the gas burner. As condensation drips to land on the heated burners, the water will evaporate and create a sizzling sound. The condensation will burn off with time, and the irritating crackling will fade as the condensation disappears.
That said, there are occasions when excessive condensation and constant crackling should be investigated. Ongoing crackling and condensation development can indicate a leak or other similar issue within the water heating system that will need to be addressed to preserve the unit's longevity and keep the annoying crackling sounds at bay.
When haunting noises start coming from the water heater, reach out to a local plumbing expert. A knowledgeable plumbing specialist will confirm no other issues are present in the water heater and prevent any plumbing nightmares for the homeowner.
About Henco Plumbing Services
Henco Plumbing Services has been serving the area since 2012. Satisfaction and lifelong relationships with clients are their #1 priority. Clients can expect affordable, friendly services from Henco Plumbing Services' licensed technicians. Contact them for reliable water heater repair in Vancouver, WA today!
