Water heater popping or rumbling: what that noise is
Popping, rumbling or crackling from a tank water heater is almost always sediment: a layer of mineral scale on the bottom of the tank. Water trapped under it boils in little bursts when the burner fires, and those bursts are the pops you hear.
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From one of our jobs
A gas water heater like the one that pops
Right now: Check for water under the tank. If it’s dry, book a flush before the popping gets louder.
Northern Virginia water carries enough minerals to build up scale in a few years. It settles on the bottom, right over the burner, so the heat has to fight through it. The tank takes longer to heat, burns more gas and runs hotter at the bottom than it should.
A flush drains the loose sediment out before it hardens. On a tank that’s popping loudly and is past ten years old, the scale is often packed too hard to flush, and that’s the time to talk about a new one before it leaks.
Quick answers
What people ask about water heater noises
Why does my water heater make a popping noise?
Sediment on the bottom of the tank. Water under the scale boils in bursts when the burner heats it. It’s the most common water heater noise there is.
Is a popping water heater dangerous?
Not on its own, but it’s wearing the tank out faster. Scale makes the bottom run hot, and that is where tanks usually fail.
Will flushing a water heater stop the popping?
Usually, if the sediment is still loose. On an older tank with hard packed scale, a flush helps less.
What other noises does a water heater make?
Ticking is pipes growing as they warm. Hissing or sizzling can be water dripping on the burner, which needs a look. A screech is often a valve that’s partly closed.
Who do I call about a noisy water heater in Northern Virginia?
Call SwiftPro at (703) 997-9757. Our plumbers flush, repair and replace water heaters across Northern Virginia.
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SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
4230 Lafayette Center Dr N, Chantilly, VA 20151
44679 Endicott Dr, Suite 211, Ashburn, VA 20147
SwiftPro Plumber & Water Heaters
4200 Lafayette Center Dr, Suite N, Chantilly, VA 20151
Virginia Class A contractor license #2705192276