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Common Sounds That Warrant Water Heater Repair For Your Home Unit | Myrtle Beach, SC
Water heaters are critical plumbing appliances in many Myrtle Beach, SC homes. They are solely responsible for supplying your home with constantly heated water. You can take that hot shower in the morning or after a long tiring day at work thanks to a water heater. Hence, enlisting a water heater repair professional is critical to ensure your home’s continued convenience and comfort.
The plumber will maintain the water heater to ensure that the constant hot water supply isn’t inhibited. This way, any developing issue can be detected early enough and fixed. There are two main types of water heaters, a tankless water heater and a conventional water heater. The former heats water on demand, conserving more energy. Additionally, they have a longer service life compared to conventional water heaters. On the other hand, the conventional water heaters feature a large tank that constantly heats the water.
Unfortunately, the water heaters also run into issues, and they might even make certain noises when running. This might commonly happen when the water heater has to work harder to supply your home with heated water during the winter. The water heater sounds might at times be pretty innocuous, meaning that they may not need your attention. However, some sounds signify something amiss with your water heater. Since they are a sign of a serious issue, they require the attention of a water heater repair technician for further inspection and fixing. In this article, you’ll find out five of the common water heater noises that might require the attention of a professional.
Rumbling & Banging Sounds
Rumbling and banging are among the water heater sounds that are most common. Usually, these sounds are attributed to the excessive build-up of sediments on the water heater. When sediments have accumulated in your water heater tank, they might react with the unit’s heating element, creating those little mini-explosions that you are hearing. This is normally a simple issue that your plumber in Myrtle Beach, SC, can resolve by draining the water heater tank. You should enlist a water heater repair technician to be draining the water heater tank two times every year. However, you are clear if you have a tankless water heater.
The other cause of these two sounds is when your water heater experiences a phenomenon referred to as water hammers. This usually happens when the water supply is shut, and water suddenly starts flooding back via the pipes. Water hammer can result in serious damages such as pipe bursting. Hence, you should enlist a water heater repair professional to set the pressure in your water heater system using the pressure-reducing valve to stop this sound. You can also enlist a plumber to check whether your water heating unit is experiencing a water hammer and to help you flush the water heater tank to remove any accumulated sediments.
Popping Sounds
Like banging, the popping sounds also indicate an excessive build-up of sediments inside your water heater’s tank. Specifically, you could be hearing the reaction between the heating element and the alkalis dissolved in your water. Hard water is rich in two main alkalis, calcium and magnesium. The two are highly oxidative and main contributors to rusting. Hence, when the sediments are deposited at the bottom of the water heater tank, they accelerate the rate of corrosion.
Besides flushing the water heater tank, the water heater technician will also inspect the interiors and replace the anode rod if depleted. This is the component of a water heater tank that uses sacrificial action to protect the water heater tank from corrosion. It also inhibits the growth of anaerobic bacteria within the water heater tank, preventing the rotten egg smell. Whenever you hear these noises, enlist the help of a water heater repair technician to install a water softener at your home if you live in an area that receives hard water. This will also protect other parts of your plumbing system from rust build-up.
Ticking Sound
It can be pretty alarming to hear a ticking sound coming from the water heating unit as if it will explode. However, the problem/situation may not be all that dire. Whenever you hear a ticking sound emanating from your water heater, it is most likely caused by a sudden variation in the water pressure. This is a problem that you may be able to fix yourself by adjusting the pressure in your water heater using the pressure-reducing valve. However, if you continue hearing the ticking sound, have a water heater repair pro install more insulation or straps around the water heater to firmly hold it stationary and protect it from changing water pressure.
Hissing or Cracking Sounds
Do you use an electrically powered water heater? There are high chances that you have heard the crackling or hissing sounds. It’s normal for the two sounds to appear once in a while in electrically powered water heating units. Hence, if your system releases a cracking sound occasionally, it most likely isn’t a big deal.
However, persistent crackling and hissing noises signify that the water heater’s heating element is being obstructed by something. If it is a serious issue, enlist a water heater technician in Myrtle Beach, SC, to drain the tank and perform further inspection. Does your water heating unit run on oil or gas instead of electrical power? Then it is highly likely that the cracking sounds are due to a moisture build-up.
Hence, invite a plumber to check whether there are water pools around the unit whenever you hear crackling and hissing noises in your oil or gas-powered water heaters. Even when your water heater isn’t electrically powered, it still needs electricity to run. You don’t want water interfering with the electrical components of the water heater.
Whistling or Screeching Sounds
A high-pitched whistling or screeching noise from your water heating unit is usually a result of the loose valves allowing air out from the tank. Ensure that you call a water heater repair professional to check the pressure-releasing valve and inspect its temperature valves and the outlet/inlet valves to ensure that they are adjusted properly.
Your Trustworthy Water Heater Repair Company in Myrtle Beach
Owing to its particularly important role in ensuring that you have hot water flowing at your home, you should ensure that the water heater is always operating optimally. Sounds like the ones explained above are a sign of an issue with your water heater. Call our reliable water heater repair team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach whenever you hear them at your home for assistance.