Troubleshooting Strange Noises in a Water Heater

And Knowing when to Leave Well Enough Alone

Within months of replacing a water heater, we started to hear some odd, popping noises. This was particularly annoying because our old water heater clearly had to be replaced but it had been quieter than our new one! Although we had a warranty, I didn't look forward to calling a repairman and taking time to get the problem fixed. Luckily, some research and a couple of phone calls later, I was able to figure out how to diagnose and repair the water heater. Not only did this save money but we haven't had serious issues with it since. Our water heater company had an employee who talked us through the situation and kept our warranty firmly in place. It was a win/win situation. There are some common causes, whether normal and abnormal, of water heater noises. If you have any doubt about what may be causing strange water heater noises, don't take chances. Call a professional plumber or water heater repair person. Otherwise, you could run the risk of voiding your warranty - and you certainly don't want to do that! But your warranty terms may allow you to diagnose and even fix some common problems on your own, saving time and money. If you want to try and diagnose popping, whistling or other noises coming from your water heater, here are some suggestions:

Step one - to diagnose water heater noises, make sure you are familiar with how your water heater works.

It really isn't hard to find information about how water heaters work. Most water heaters have serial numbers or even website or phone numbers on the sides of them. If not, you have hopefully saved your service manual. If not, find the brand name of your heater and try searching for a website for your specific model of electric or gas water heater and try to find an online manual. Many are now easily found online.