If your water heater is making scary sounds, it’s definitely time to take notice. There are several reasons why this could be happening, and most of them are not good news. We want to go over some of the most common causes for a water heater making strange noises, as well as what you can do about it.

Now, let’s be clear when we say “what you can do about it” we aren’t telling you to try opening your water heater and servicing it yourself. This can easily lead to major injuries or a broken-down system. Instead, you can take stock of what is happening and translate these early warning signs (which we’ve listed below) to your technician.

If your water heater has been creeping you out lately, keep reading! We’ll help you figure out what’s going on so you can call us to fix it.

Spooky Water Heater Noises That Spell Trouble

A noisy water heater is usually a sign that something is wrong. That’s because most water heaters are designed to operate relatively silently. If you start hearing strange sounds from yours, it could be a sign that there’s an issue with the system itself. Don’t hesitate to contact us when you hear any of these noises.

Whistling sounds

If your water heater sounds like a kettle, it’s most likely due to sediment build-up. Over time, minerals in the water can settle at the bottom of the tank and form a hard crust. As the water is heated, it can become trapped in the sediment, leading it to evaporate into steam which escapes with a whistle.

Rumbling

If your water heater is making a rumbling sound, it could be due to loose sediment inside the unit. The water is forcing its way through layers of collected sediment and leading to that rumbling noise. If you hear this, you’ll want to reach out to a technician to flush that sediment out of your system.

Crackling

This can happen for a number of reasons, such as sediment build-up. Yes, there are a lot of noises that a water heater makes which can indicate sediment build-up! Thankfully though we can help you address them quickly.

Hissing

A hissing sound coming from your water heater is can be due to a couple of issues. This can include a gas leak or even a pipe leak. If you have a gas-powered water heater, it uses natural gas to heat the water. But if there’s a leak in the system, that gas can escape and cause a hissing sound.

Gas leaks are serious business and should be dealt with immediately. If you think you have a gas leak, turn off the gas to your water heater and call a professional right away. They’ll be able to fix the problem and get your water heater up and running safely again.

If you’re having trouble with a noisy water heater, call the experts at Walsh Brothers Plumbing and Mechanical Services, Inc.

We have many years of experience dealing with all kinds of plumbing issues, including noisy water heaters. We’ll be able to quickly identify the problem and get your water heater running quietly again.

Fast-Friendly-Reliable. Contact Walsh Bros for your next water heater service. We work hard to provide solutions for every home and budget.