Does your water heater rumble or produce a popping noise? What does that mean? While water heaters are constructed to last long, water heater noises may be an indication that your water heater needs professional service. To learn more about water heater noises and how they affect the hot water in your Langhorne, PA home, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.
What do different water heater noises indicate, and how should I address them?
- Rumbling or popping sounds often mean there’s sediment buildup at the bottom of your tank. This causes localized boiling and should be addressed by flushing the system.
- In areas with hard water, minerals like calcium and magnesium cling to the tank’s interior and resist normal flushing. Deliming, either manually with scraping or by using a deliming agent, is effective in removing scale and improving efficiency.
- Regular cleaning not only quiets annoying noises but also enhances your water heater’s energy efficiency and overall lifespan.
- If your water heater is frequently in need of repairs or is very old, it may be more cost-effective to replace it with a newer, more efficient model.
If it sounds as though your water heater is boiling water, it probably is. When sediment collects at the bottom of a tanked water heater, it can cause overheating. The sediment varies greatly, but can contain lime, water scale, silicates, sulfates, aluminates, or silt and sand. This is a common problem and may require periodic system flushing to clear out the build-up. Homeowners should also review the most common water heater problems to understand when flushing alone may not be enough.
If you have hard water, merely flushing the system may not work. Because the minerals responsible for hard water—calcium and magnesium—often bind to the insides of the water heater, they cannot be flushed as easily. Because minerals in the water tend to precipitate at the hottest parts of the system, the bottom of your tank water heater is their preferred location. Regular deliming of your system by manual scraping or by a de-liming agent can greatly reduce the chance of permanent water heater damage, and it will also greatly improve the energy-efficiency of your water heater. If you’re unsure, learn the signs that you have hard water and how it could impact your plumbing. If you have an electric water heater, lime scale can build upon the electrodes themselves.
Not only will the regular cleaning of your system reduce any irritating noises, the results will benefit your entire water heating system. Your water heater costs will generally be lower than with a system full of scale, and you’ll be extending the life of your water heater. If left alone, you may find you don’t have enough hot water on some days, or that you have dramatically slowed the heat-up rate—both of which may point to water lines needing replacement.
If your water heater requires frequent repair, or if it is very old, consider replacing it with a new model. Not only are today’s water heaters more efficient, but they also tend to last longer. Schedule a consultation with your local water heater technician to learn more about your options in Langhorne, PA. Call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.