If your hot water system is making loud banging, hammering or high pitched noises, this normally indicates issues like sediment buildup or loose/faulty parts that require a plumber to identify and repair.
Identifying the specific noise from your hot water system is the first step to diagnosing the issue. Below are explanations for common water system noises and the likely reasons for these sounds within your home’s pipes:
Loud banging noises, known as water hammer, can be identified by quaking pipes, a clear sign of water hammer. This results in noisy disturbances in your pipes when valves promptly halt the water flow, producing shock waves.
Pops or cracks, typically harmless, are often due to pipe expansion, manifesting as noise in your pipes when exposed to temperature changes. However, persistent rumbling or popping noises can indicate sediment buildup or a heating element nearing failure.
A hissing sound often suggests a pressure-relief valve that is failing to close completely. This allows hot water/steam to escape the tank.
A soft, steady hum during the operation of your electric water heater typically indicates the normal functioning of transformers or thermostats. Louder, vibrating humming often indicates sediment building up inside the tank, which a water heater can make more pronounced.
The presence of a high-pitched whistling reveals pipe obstruction, often resulting from mineral deposits that narrow the pipes and impede water flow within your house.
Various factors contribute to unexpected noises in your hot water system. Below are common causes behind these perplexing noises when water is turned off abruptly:
Hard water, with its excess minerals and debris, accumulates as sediment at the bottom of the tank over time, often creating a popping noise when heated. Sediment can rattle around in your water heater and cause banging noises as water passes through. Flushing the tank annually helps clear out sediment.
Unexpected closure of valves near the main shut-off requires professional assistance, as it can send a hammer-like shock wave through your pipes. Fitting water hammer arrestors into your water pipe system absorbs these shocks and quiets the clatter better than any other solution.
Vibrations or rattling can occur when excessively high water pressure strains the shut off valve and pipes. Consult a plumber about installing a pressure reducing valve near your main shut off valve if pressure exceeds 80 psi.
Over time, neglect of maintenance can result in the failure of components such as heating elements. As they reach the end of their lifespan, they may start to emit noises during operation.
If your water heater still makes noise after you’ve addressed common issues, it’s advisable to consult a professional plumber for a thorough inspection.
Minerals and debris in your water supply gradually settle as sediment at the base of your heater tank. As the water flows and begins to heat up within the tank, it disturbs this loose sediment, making it collide with the sides and produce noise.
Sediment issues in the water heater often manifest as loud banging or popping noises, suggesting your pipes could be impacted.
To help prevent sediment buildup get your water system back to tranquility and mitigate associated noises:
In critical scenarios, if the water heater then becomes ineffective due to excessive sediment buildup, replacing the unit might be the only recourse. Get in touch with our team - we’re equipped to assess your system and suggest the ideal solution.
Water hammer is the loud banging noise when water flow in your pipes is abruptly halted, often due to valves closing too quickly. It commonly happens when a valve within your plumbing system abruptly closes, sending a shock wave that causes pipes to vibrate.
Over time, water hammer can result in potential damage to fittings and pipes due to the constant pressure spikes. It can also disrupt sleep and concentration due to the loud noises.
You can now prevent water hammer noise and damage by effectively installing water hammer arrestors. Water hammer arrestors, essentially air chambers, are devices that cushion hydraulic shock, absorb the shock waves, and dissipate the energy.
Installing water hammer arrestors provides key benefits, particularly in reducing noisy water issues:
Installing water hammer arrestors is a cost-effective strategy to protect your water heater’s pipes from damage and mitigate noise. Our licensed plumbers can evaluate your plumbing system and recommend the best placement and size for water hammer arrestors.
Loose fittings, pipe straps, valves, or tank components can lead to vibrations and movement within your walls, causing your hot water system to rattle. Discover more about how components of your hot water heater can loosen or deteriorate over time due to normal wear.
Perform the following basic checks to ensure your hot water system operates optimally:
Attempting to how fix service or replace components yourself, especially when your water heater making unfamiliar sounds, risks further damage if not done properly. Our licensed technicians are experienced with various water heaters, including gas models, and can diagnose and repair issues efficiently.
Excessively high water pressure can strain your hot water system’s pipes and fittings, causing noise. High water pressure can lead to vibrations, rattling, and other disruptive sounds affecting all your water-using appliances.
Water pressure above 80 psi is considered too high and can increase the risk of leaks, burst pipes, and noise issues due to constant strain.
Signs that water pressure may be too high affecting your plumbing include:
It is recommended to have a plumber assess your home’s water pressure. They can install a pressure reducing valve if needed to regulate pressure below 80 PSI. This prevents damage and noise problems with your hot water system and plumbing.
A simple fix is to confirm that all pipe connections are securely fastened, fittings are adequately tightened, and pipe straps are firmly anchored. Loose components intensify noise when under high water pressure conditions.
Annual tank flushing can help wash sediment buildup down the drain and clean the interior.
The sediment that settles at the base of your water tank, particularly when agitated by heat, is a primary source of loud banging noises. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve near your tank base and flush until the effluent is clear.
Components such as heating elements and valves can become worn and noisy over time. It’s advisable to have a licensed plumber inspect and proactively replace ageing parts annually to prevent heater noises.
Heat trap nipples prevent hot water in the tank from mixing back into the cold line, keeping hotter water at the tank’s bottom and reducing sediment settlement. Our technicians can install heat traps to help minimise sediment buildup.
Being proactive with regular maintenance checks fix problem areas allows small issues to be addressed before they become more serious problems. Contact your plumber via our team anytime to inspect your hot water system or provide advice on preventative care.
If you’ve tried troubleshooting common causes and your hot water system remains noisy, it’s time to seek professional help from a plumber. Persistent banging, popping, humming or rattling coming from hot water systems, despite your best DIY efforts, indicates a more complex underlying issue that requires licenced plumbing expertise.
Signs that most likely indicate it may be time to call in the professionals include:
At this stage, there could be problems within the piping layout itself causing vibrations or movement, a significant mineral buildup internally that requires specialty cleaning equipment, or failures in major components like the heating elements or valves.
Getting to the root cause requires our team, experienced plumbers assessing the entire system. Our plumbers have the expertise and tools to uncover and resolve persistent hot water noises. Should repairs or replacements be necessary, we handle the job properly at competitive rates.
If you’re facing ongoing hot water system noise even after personal remedies, contact our team or call us for assistance. We are familiar with every sound and can fix the problem.
At Penrith Plumbing, we get on top of providing reliable heater repair, including hot water system repairs, maintenance, and installations. With over 10 years serving the Penrith region, we have the expertise to address all common water heater issues discussed in this article.
We tackle every type of hot water repair including:
We also specialise in various water systems:
For reliable hot water solutions, contact us or call 1300 349 338 to book a consultation with our licenced technicians. We service all brands on your property and provide upfront pricing.
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