Get Rid of the Ghosts in Your Water Heater

If your water heater has started making strange popping, banging, or rumbling noises, it can feel like your home is haunted. While the sounds may be unsettling and seem like there is a ghost in your water heater, there is always a real explanation hiding inside the tank. At Legacy Plumbing, we help homeowners eliminate those mysterious water heater noises every day. Understanding what causes these sounds and how to address them can restore peace to your home and protect your plumbing investment.

Common Causes of Water Heater Noises

Water heater noises usually develop over time as components wear down or mineral buildup increases. Some of the most common causes include:

• Sediment buildup: Hard water contains minerals that settle at the bottom of the tank. As the heating element warms the water, steam bubbles form beneath this sediment layer and escape with loud popping or crackling sounds.
• Kettling or boiling: When sediment coats the heating surface, it traps heat and makes the water hotter than necessary. This can cause a kettle-like boiling noise as water struggles to circulate properly.
• Thermal expansion: As water heats and cools, metal components expand and contract. This can create tapping or ticking noises coming from the tank or nearby piping.
• Loose heating elements: In electric water heaters, a loose heating element can vibrate as water flows over it, producing a humming or buzzing sound.
• High water pressure: Excessive pressure in your plumbing system can force water through valves too aggressively and lead to knocking or banging noises.

These sounds are often early warnings that your water heater needs repairs. Ignoring them can lead to reduced efficiency, higher utility bills, and eventual system failure.

Tips To Silence Your Water Heater

Some water heater noise issues can be addressed safely with basic water heater maintenance. These steps can help quiet things down and extend the life of your system:

• Flush the tank: Draining and flushing your water heater once or twice a year removes built-up sediment that causes water heater popping sounds. This also improves heating efficiency.
• Check the temperature setting: Setting your thermostat between 120 and 125 degrees helps prevent overheating and boiling sounds.
• Inspect the pressure relief valve: If pressure is too high, this valve may release water and make noise. If it appears worn or leaky, it should be inspected by a professional.
• Listen for location clues: Try to determine whether the noise is coming from the tank itself, the pipes above it, or nearby fixtures. This can help narrow down the cause.
• Secure loose piping: If knocking sounds come from pipes rather than the tank, adding pipe insulation or securing loose sections can reduce noise from thermal expansion.

If these steps reduce the noise but do not eliminate it, a deeper mechanical issue may be present.

When To Call a Professional

Certain water heater problems require professional repair. You should call Legacy Plumbing if you are dealing with water heater noises in your Texas home. Our team can help with persistent rumbling after flushing, metallic banging sounds, visible rust on the tank, water pooling near the base, or inconsistent hot water. These symptoms often indicate failing heating elements, corroded components, or internal tank damage.

Unusual smells, discolored water, or pressure relief valve discharge are also serious warning signs. Delaying service in these situations can lead to leaks, water damage, or complete system failure. A professional inspection allows us to safely diagnose the issue and determine whether repair or replacement is the best solution. In some cases, especially with older water heaters that have heavy internal corrosion, replacement may be the most reliable and cost-effective option.

Get Rid of the Ghosts in Your Water Heater with Legacy Plumbing

At Legacy Plumbing, we specialize in fixing noisy water heaters and restoring comfort and quiet to your home. We provide upfront pricing so you always understand your options before work begins. We regularly offer promotions and deals to help make plumbing repairs more affordable. Our award-winning services and consistently positive reviews reflect our commitment to doing the job right the first time.

Schedule your water heater service today and take the first step toward silence and reliability you can trust!