If Tennessee homeowners have anything in common, it’s a love for their water heaters, so when something goes wrong, it can quickly put a damper on your day. When your water heater starts making a strange knocking noise, let Roto-Rooter Jackson, TN, take a look.
What causes a water heater to make strange noises in the first place? Our trustworthy plumbers cover everything you need to know.
Sediment Buildup in the Water Heater Tank
Perhaps the most common reason for a water heater to start making a knocking noise is sediment buildup from hard water in the water heater’s tank.
A sediment layer at the bottom of the tank creates scale, which is just loose minerals that come from the hard water. These mineral deposits mean your water heater will lose water volume. You’ll hear a knocking or popping noise as a result because instead of steam bubbles escaping, they become stuck in the tank, and sediment starts boiling at the bottom.
How To Flush Your Water Heater in Three Easy Steps
If your water heater is making a knocking noise because of sediment buildup, you need to flush it out.
Step 1: Turn Off the Fuel Source for Your Gas or Electric Water Heater
If you have a gas water heater, turn off the gas. For electric water heaters, shut off power by flipping the circuit breaker.
Step 2: Find and Close the Drain Valve Located at the Top of the Water Heater
Look at the top of your hot water heater and find two valves; one is the cold water valve (blue), and the other is for hot water. Turn off the cold water valve by turning it to a 90-degree angle.
Step 3: Run a Hot Water Faucet and Drain the Tank
Next, run a faucet with hot water and connect your garden hose to the water heater’s drain valve to drain the water and any remaining sediment. Let this water drain into a bucket or basement drain. Once you safely drain the tank, open the faucet for cold water and let it fill your tank with clean water.
Other Potential Culprits
Although a popping noise coming from your water heater is mostly likely the result of sediment, other potential culprits include:
- A faulty pressure relief valve
- A broken anode rod
- A broken gas valve
- Problems with the water heater’s heating element
End Your Search for “Water Heater Repair Near Me”
If flushing your water heater doesn’t fix the knocking sound, it’s time to get professional plumbing help. Our team at Roto-Rooter Jackson, TN, offers drain cleaning, water heater installation, leak repair, hydro-jetting, pipe bursting, and any other service you need. If you have a noisy water heater tank, let us provide effective water heater repair.
Don’t let a constant popping noise or cold water ruin your day. Call (731) 213-3611 for residential or commercial plumbing service, sewer line services, water damage restoration, water damage cleanup, and more in Jackson, Tennessee! Reach out to an emergency plumber for help with everything from frozen pipes to problems with a drain valve.
