Popping Water Heater? Check It Before the Holidays

That popping or rumbling sound is sediment

Water carries minerals. Over time they settle to the bottom of the tank and build a crusty layer between the burner or element and the water. When the heater fires, water trapped under that layer boils and pops. You hear it as rumbling, crackling or knocking from the tank.

Sediment does more than make noise. It takes up room in the tank, slows down heating and makes the bottom of the tank run hotter than it should. That wears a heater out sooner.

What a flush is and why I do it with care

A flush means shutting the heater down the right way, draining water out of the bottom valve until it runs clear, then refilling the tank completely before it heats again. On a gas heater that means working with the gas control. On an electric heater the power has to be off first, because an element that heats in an empty tank burns out in seconds.

That is why I do this one myself instead of handing it over as a weekend project. On older tanks the drain valve can also clog or start leaking once it is opened, and the water coming out is hot enough to burn. If your heater has never been flushed, it is worth having someone look at it before the holiday rush.

Three things you can check safely today

You can learn a lot about your water heater just by looking. Do not touch the gas control, the burner area, the electrical cover or the relief valve. Just look for these:

• Water on the floor or a damp pan under the tank.
• Rust or crusty buildup at the pipe connections on top, or along the seams of the tank.
• A drip from the pipe that runs down the side of the tank from the relief valve.

If you see any of those, or the hot water is running out faster than it used to, call me at (470) 999-7395. A $79 diagnostic tells you whether it needs a flush, a part or a plan for replacement before it quits on you.