What Is That Sound Coming from My Water Heater?

Your propane water heater works hard to provide the hot water your need for your taps and appliances – and it usually does it without much in the way of complaint.

But sometimes your water heater gets rather…well, vocal – and that’s usually a sign of trouble.

A conventional water heater (one with a tank) typically lasts about 10 years or so* (a tankless water heater can last nearly twice that long); once it nears that decade mark (or sooner, if it’s having problems), it might start making noises that you aren’t accustomed to hearing.

Here are four sounds your water heater might make, and what they mean for your equipment:

• Rumbling: A rumbling water tank might indicate that a fault in the mixing valve or a broken dip tube is causing cold and warm water to mix. It could also be a sign that sediment build up in your tank is causing it to overheat. Either way, your water heater will need professional repair service.
• Popping: Popping sounds usually mean you have too much water pressure. If you know how to adjust water pressure to and from your water heater, try it; if changing the pressure doesn’t stop the sound, contact us.
• Whistling: Whistling (or hissing) typically means there is a dangerous amount of pressure in your water pipes – contact us for service immediately.
• Gurgling: The sound of constantly running water typically indicates trouble with the pressure release valve; if this problem occurs in older equipment, it usually means it is time for a water heater upgrade.

Whatever your water heater problem turns out to be, our expert water heater repair technicians will solve it quickly and correctly so you can get right back to enjoying clean dishes and hot baths. If a water heater upgrade makes more sense than a repair, we can help you there, too, with expert installation of high-quality, high-performance water heater systems from Rinnai and other great brands.

Need service or an upgrade for your old water heater? Call the pros at Pioneer Oil and Propane. Contact us today to learn about propane water heater options that meet your needs and your budget!

* Want to know how old your heater is? Here’s a trick: look for the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker. The first letter in the serial number corresponds to its month of production; the first two numbers its year of production. For example, in the serial number D082738598, “D”, the fourth letter in the alphabet, corresponds to April, the fourth month. The number “08” represents the year. The water heater was produced in April 2008.