Is a Popping Water Heater Dangerous?
Funny noises coming from the water heater are not usually comical. A popping, whining, or vibrating sound emanating from the tank means the accumulation of sediment. These sounds often occur due to hard water minerals entering the tank and not being correctly removed or flushed out. The actual popping or whining sound stems from water boiling underneath the sediment and can lead to some destructive issues for your home heating and plumbing systems. Additional consequences from a popping water heater and how to prevent it are below:
Sediment buildup causes leaks
As minerals in the tank accumulate, they cause the unit to work harder and overheat. Over time this process weakens the metal of the tank and leads to leaks.
A busted or burst water heater
An exploding water heater occurs when there is too much pressure. A popping noise is telling you that the unit cannot efficiently function. If neglected, the excess sediment will also cause a pressure buildup and make the appliance explode.
How to flush the water heater tank
To prevent popping sounds and damage to the water heater and the surrounding areas, flush your tank. The process is elaborate, but after a few times, you should be a master. If there is ever a safety concern or if you do not have the DIY mindset, contact a professional plumber to inspect and flush out the tank.
Turn off an electric water heater at the circuit breaker. For a gas heater, switch the gas setting to "pilot."
To stop extra water from getting into the water heater, adjust the lever to the cold water to a 90-degree angle.
Affix your garden hose to the drain valve and place the opposite end outdoors or in a basement drain to extract the hot water.
To get the water pumping through the hose, open the pressure valve and turn on a hot water faucet elsewhere in your home.
You can now open the water heater spigot or drain valve. Be cautious as the water will be HOT when running through the tap.
Once the water has fully drained, the flushing process can begin. Close the pressure valve and then turn on the cold water lever. Switch the lever from open to closed several times to flush out leftover sediment.
Once the water coming out is clear, this part of the flush is complete.
Shut the water heater spigot or drain valve and detach the hose.
Align the lever to the cold water with the water inlet pipe.
Let the water heater tank refill, which should take roughly 10 minutes.
To release the air from the tank and the pipes, turn on a warm water faucet. Turn off the fixture when the running water is clear and no longer murky or cloudy.
Return power to the water heater at the circuit breaker for an electric water heater or turn the gas line from "pilot" to "on."
To eliminate the possibility of a water heater explosion or concerning sounds coming from the unit, regularly flush the water heater tank every six months. Consider installing a salt-free water conditioner in your home to improve your water heater's efficiency and prevent sediment buildup.
Get professional help to fix your water heater
Popping, whining, or vibrations mean the tank needs flushing to clear out the sediment. Carefully follow the steps to flush your water heater. If your efforts are ineffective, contact a professional plumber to troubleshoot your water heater.
No Worries Rooter of Gilbert offers residential and commercial drain cleaning, leak detection and repair. We recommend Bio-Green drain care for customers who have slow drains caused by buildup in their pipes. Call us at (480) 405-4497.
