When your water heater tank starts making a popping, knocking, or banging sound, it’s definitely a cause for concern. What leads to a water heater making popping noise and what can you do about it? The licensed plumbers at Grasshopper Heating & Cooling have the answer in this brief guide.
Don’t Ignore Water Heater Maintenance
Just like any plumbing fixture, your hot water heater needs routine maintenance or it won’t work properly. Sediment buildup inside the steel tank prevents the bubbles in boiling water from escaping which results in a distinct popping noise.
Both gas and electric water heaters can experience this along with the following issues:
- Tank leaks
- Decrease in the water heater’s efficiency
- Heating element damage
Discover how plumbers safeguard hot water systems by flushing the tank of sediment and mineral deposits.
How to Flush a Water Heater Making Popping Noise
Don’t hesitate to drain and flush a water heater making popping noises. You’ll enjoy a silent system that works efficiently when you perform the following steps.
Kill the Unit’s Power Supply
You must turn off the water heater before doing anything else. Cut off power to the heating element by either closing your gas valve or flipping the switch on your home’s circuit breaker, depending on which type of tank you have.
Turn the Tank’s Cold Water Supply Lever
Near the top of your tank, you should find a cold water lever that supplies the system with water. Turn this feature off to prevent the tank from filling up.
Once the cold water valve is off, start running a hot water faucet, such as your kitchen sink or shower faucet. Then locate your tank’s pressure relief valve and open it to prevent a vacuum from forming in your hot water pipes.
Connect a Hose and Drain the Tank
You’ll find the water heater’s drain valve located near the bottom of the tank. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve and turn the spigot to safely drain the tank’s contents. Make sure the other end of the hose flows into a bucket or basement drain.
The water supply that comes out of the hose may have an odd smell or appear discolored due to the sediment buildup. When the tank empties, toggle both the pressure relief and cold water valves. Let the water continue to run until all remaining sediment is going and the water comes out clear.
Restart Your Water Heater
To get your water heater working again, perform the following tasks:
- Disconnect the hose and close the drain valve.
- Shut off the running faucet.
- Restore power to the system.
- Wait a few minutes for the tank to heat up.
After all of this, you’ll have a water heater that works without issue.
Schedule Water Heater Repair and Maintenance Services Today – Contact Grasshopper Heating & Cooling
Is your water heater making popping noises? Let the experts at Grasshopper Heating & Cooling take care of your gas or electric water heater and flush it so you don’t experience any more strange sounds or unwanted water heater repairs. Give us a call at (518) 545-3271 to schedule a maintenance appointment.
