Water Heater Making Noise? Here's What Each Sound Means

What your water heater's noises mean

A silent water heater is a happy water heater. When it starts making sounds, it is communicating a specific problem. Here is the translation.

Popping or rumbling

Most common in Fort Lauderdale. This is sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. As the unit heats water, trapped steam bubbles form under the sediment and pop when they release. Our hard water makes this happen faster than in most cities.

Fix: Full professional tank flush. If the noise persists after flushing, sediment has fused to the tank wall and may have damaged the lining. Replacement may be needed.

Banging or hammering

Usually water hammer from your plumbing, not the water heater. It happens when water flow suddenly stops and the pressure wave hits a closed valve. Installing a water hammer arrestor typically solves it.

Screeching or whistling

A valve isn't fully open somewhere. Check the water heater inlet valve, any mixing valves, and the T&P valve. A partially open valve causes high-velocity water flow that whistles.

Ticking or tapping

Usually thermal expansion of pipes. Normal for a few weeks after a new install. On an old system, check mounting straps that may have loosened.

Hissing

Steam or water leaking onto a hot surface. This is serious. Inspect the T&P valve and the base of the tank immediately. Hissing combined with moisture is a call-now situation.

Fort Lauderdale hard water and noise

If you are in Broward County and your water heater is 3+ years old without a flush, popping is almost guaranteed. Our 150-250+ PPM mineral content settles fast. Annual flushing prevents most noise problems and extends tank life. See our maintenance service.

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