A gurgling water heater could alarm anyone, especially if you do not understand the cause of this. You do not need to panic if the noise does not disappear immediately. Broken parts or other troubles might cause the sounds. To be sure, there is always a way to solve the noise on your water heater. Just keep calm and read these articles for better information on the matter.
Hot Water Heater Making Gurgling Noise
Water heater noises could result from issues on your water heater unit. Some causes create the noises from coming on your water heater. Here are the most usual reasons that make your heater go gurgling:
- One common cause of a gurgling water heater is sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. Over time, minerals from the water can accumulate, creating a layer of sediment that traps boiling water and causes rumbling noises. This issue is particularly prevalent in areas with hard water.
- I’ve seen this happen in my home, where living in an area with hard water caused significant sediment buildup. After draining and flushing the tank, the gurgling noise subsided considerably. Flustering the tank every 6 to 12 months is recommended to prevent this issue.
- The build-up commonly happens because of the collected minerals for years. To fix these sediments, you can try to flush the tank regularly. Flushing the tank could help the unit to be correctly maintained.
- The other reason is that too much cold water enters the tank simultaneously. The gurgling sound is the result of it. It may not be a severe problem, but hearing it is still quite uncomfortable.
How to Fix a Water Heater that Gurgles
There are some first actions you can take to fix the gurgling noise on your water heater, such as flushing the tank to remove sediment.
In my experience as a homeowner, I found that turning off the heater and following a step-by-step approach can significantly reduce noise. However, if the issue persists, professional help is essential, especially if the anode rod is deteriorating or if the problem stems from a more complex issue.
To address a gurgling water heater, turn off the unit to avoid any potential harm. Then, shut off the cold water supply and use the drain valve to empty the tank, flushing out sediment that has settled at the bottom.
During this process, inspect the condition of the aluminum anode, as its deterioration can contribute to sediment buildup. If the water appears dirty, briefly open the cold water supply to help rinse out the tank before turning the heater back on to check for noises.
Take a glance at this step to help the noises from your unit.
- The first step is to turn the water heater off, ensuring your safety during the repair process. Having done this multiple times myself, I can attest to how important it is to follow these safety precautions to avoid burns or electrical hazards.
- After that, you could turn the cold water off.
- The next step is to drain the water heater inside the tank to the floor drain.
- If you see dirty water flowing in the drain, open the cold water supply for some time to rinse the water heater tank.
- Then, keep the unit off for ten minutes.
- After that, you could try to turn on the water heater. Check if there are still some noises.
- If there is still some noise coming from it, call for professional help as soon as possible.
Is a Gurgling Water Heater Dangerous?
As I’ve witnessed firsthand, noises like rumbling or gurgling are often due to sediment buildup. When sediment accumulates, it causes the water to get trapped and overheat, resulting in these sounds. Interestingly, a newly installed water heater can also produce similar noises due to trapped air pockets, which should dissipate over time with regular use.
If this sediment occurs, the tank will not work correctly. It damages the unit, and this problem could also raise your electricity bill.
In addition to strange noises, sediment buildup can cause the water heater to heat unevenly, leading to less available hot water. In extreme cases, the sediment can cause the tank to overheat, damaging the unit and potentially leading to a complete failure. From my experience, consistent maintenance, such as flushing the tank, can help avoid these uncomfortable issues.
The most concerning thing is that the water heater can also be damaged by it if the problem is not corrected properly. Therefore, you need to change the heater to a new one, which could be unpleasant. Nevertheless, hearing strange noises from machines or appliances is not always a good sign.
Conclusion
Suppose you try to understand how to fix a water heater that gurgles will be a lifesaver. Especially if you want to save the repair cost, be mindful that not every problem should be fixed by yourself. Take advice from a professional for better results.
