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Water Heater Making Noise? What Popping, Rumbling and Screeching Mean

Water heater making noise? Popping and rumbling mean sediment; screeching means a valve; banging means water hammer. Learn which noises need water heater repair in NH.

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Popping and rumbling

Sediment on the tank bottom traps water that boils and pops through the layer. Flushing the tank helps early on; a heavily scaled tank that keeps rumbling is nearing replacement.

Screeching or whistling

Usually a partly closed inlet valve or a failing temperature-pressure relief valve. The TPR valve is a safety device — have it checked promptly.

Ticking, banging and humming

Ticking is normal expansion. Banging on shutoff is water hammer, fixed with arrestors. Humming in an electric heater is a loose element. When the tank itself is over 10 years old and noisy, replacement — possibly with tankless — is often the better spend.

Need a plumber?

MJA Plumbing and Heating handles this problem every day across New Hampshire. Related services:

Local pages: Water Heater Repair in Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Dover, Keene, Portsmouth and every other NH town.

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