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Key Points
- Water heater popping noises are caused by sediment buildup in the tank.
- Sediment forms from minerals in hard water.
- Flushing the tank usually resolves the popping noise.
- Comfort Bros provides water heater tank flushing, inspections, repairs, and replacement.
Is your water heater making a popping noise while it runs? This is a common issue for homeowners everywhere, but many people still don’t understand what causes it, what it means, or what to do about it. Here’s everything you need to know about unusual sounds from your water heater.
What Causes the Popping Sound Inside Your Water Heater?
If your water heater is making a popping noise, the cause is almost always mineral sediment buildup inside the tank. This buildup creates a thick layer that can trap water beneath it, which then boils, turns to steam, and bursts through the sediment layer, making the telltale popping noise.
Why hard water can make sediment buildup worse
The minerals that cause a noisy water heater come from trace minerals (mostly calcium and magnesium) in the water itself. When water contains more of these minerals, it’s called hard water. The harder your water, the sooner you’ll deal with water heater sediment buildup.
Will Flushing the Tank Stop the Noise?
The best way to deal with sediment in your water heater is by flushing the tank. A water heater flush is a straightforward maintenance task with a big impact on system performance and efficiency, and it will also stop that irritating popping noise while the unit’s running.
Can You Flush a Water Heater Yourself?
You can flush a water heater yourself — all you need is a little knowledge and a garden hose, and the job can be done in 20 to 45 minutes. Here’s how to do it:
- Step one: Shut off the power to the water heater at your electrical panel (or shut off the gas for gas-powered units).
- Step two: Close the cold water inlet valve on your water heater to prevent water from flowing.
- Step three: Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your tank. Place the other end of the hose in a bucket, a drain, or somewhere outside with good drainage.
- Step four: Open a hot water faucet elsewhere in the home to allow better drainage from the water heater.
- Step five: Open the drain valve and wait for all the water and sediment to drain out.
- Step six: Turn on the cold water supply briefly to push out any stubborn sediment. You’ll know you’re done when the draining water runs clear.
- Step seven: Close the cold water valve and drain valve, remove the hose, and close the hot water faucet you had running. Open the cold water valve again and let the tank refill and heat up.
What Happens If You Don’t Flush Out the Sediment?
If you don’t keep up with water heater sediment removal, you risk a number of issues, including:
- Higher energy bills due to declining efficiency.
- Increasingly loud noises from the unit.
- Lower tank capacity, resulting in less hot water.
- Higher risk of tank corrosion or leaks.
- Higher chance of needing water heater repairs.
- A shorter overall lifespan for your water heater.
Is a Popping Water Heater Dangerous?
A popping water heater isn’t dangerous, but don’t ignore this important water heater maintenance task. Sediment buildup directly impacts water heater efficiency, and over time, it can cause enough wear to trigger a tank leak or total system failure. So while you don’t need to worry about the unit blowing up, you should still address a noisy water heater as soon as possible.
Why Is My Water Heater Still Popping After a Flush?
If you’ve flushed the tank but your water heater is still popping, it’s either because of a severe mineral crust that can’t be removed by gravity alone or because mineral scale is forming directly on the system’s heating element. Have a professional inspect the unit and repair the problem.
Does a Noisy Water Heater Need Repair or Replacement?
If your water heater makes occasional popping or rumbling noises, it’s usually safe to repair. However, if you’re hearing loud banging or booming noises, it may indicate a gas pressure or ignition problem, which is more serious and requires immediate repair or replacement. We also recommend a new water heater installation if your unit is more than eight to 12 years old, as older systems struggle to run efficiently.
How Often Should You Flush Your Water Heater?
How often should you flush a water heater? We recommend doing this maintenance task at least once a year, though if your area has very hard water, you might need to do it more often.
Maintenance is similar for tankless water heaters, which need annual flushing to remove mineral scale from the internal heat exchanger. Our team can help you choose and size a tankless water heater to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
Why Is My Water Heater Rumbling?
If your water heater is making a rumbling noise, it’s probably for the same reason as a popping sound: sediment buildup in the tank. You might notice rumbling first, which can then progress to popping as the mineral crust thickens. In most cases, a simple tank flush will resolve a rumbling noise coming from the water heater.
How Comfort Bros Can Help With a Noisy Water Heater
Our team of plumbers will not only remove all sediment from your system’s tank, but we’ll also take the time to thoroughly inspect and maintain the entire system, check for minor issues that could become serious problems, and ensure the unit is ready to run safely and reliably. If your unit is reaching the end of its lifespan, we can also help you choose, size, install, and finance a new water heater that will serve you for years to come.
Stop the Popping and Get Your Water Heater Checked with Comfort Bros
The team at Comfort Bros provides comprehensive water heater maintenance, inspection, repair, and replacement services, giving you peace of mind that your system will keep delivering the hot water you need without issue (or annoying noises). For more information or to schedule a water heater check-up, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sediment buildup make my water heater less efficient?
Sediment buildup can significantly reduce water heater efficiency. The more buildup, the more power your unit will consume to heat the water, driving up energy costs.
Is it normal for a water heater to make some noise while heating?
It’s normal to hear some noise while your water heater does its job. Quiet humming, clicking, and ticking noises are normal for a water heater.
Should you flush an older water heater that has never been flushed?
If you have an old water heater that hasn’t ever been flushed, think twice before flushing it. Very old, neglected systems may have leaks that are plugged by sediment, which means flushing it could actually cause a leak. Hire a pro to inspect your older water heater before flushing.
