My waterheater is hissing really loud! please help!?

Question

I'm alone, and the water heater started hissing really loud about 15 minutes ago. It's late at night and I have no one to call. tried the emergency number on the heater but no one answers. I'm afraid it will explode.
It's really loud! some one please tell me what is going on, or how to make it stop!

Answer 1

dont really have enough info to tell you what it is but it could be several things. but if you want it to stop then turn it off. the hissing could be the pressure release valve, if too much pressure is built up inside the waterheater then it will vent it out the valve. can you smell gas?
could be a gas leak, but that wouldnt be very loud.

Answer 2

First chect he pressure/ temperature relief valve.(this is what keeps the heater from exploding) it has a little handle like on commercial coffee dispensers. should be on the top or side of the tank. just crack it open for a second. you will hear a little water rush out. If this doesnt stop it you may have a problem with the shut off valve on the coold feed side. Check to make sure the vavle is open all the way. There might be a piece of debris stuck in the valve also. this usually produces a hissing/ screaching sound. If still no dice, you may have alot of sediment built up in the tank that is not letting the water get to the element to be heated. Or you may just have a plain out leak. If you cant figure it out just shut off the velve on the cold line of the heater. turn off the gas at the knob on the regulator at the front of the heater/ or if electric, flip off the cuircit breaker in your houses main panel. Then call someone in the morning. The sticker on the side is nothing more than an advertisment for the people that installed it or worked on it before. You can look in the phone book to find another plumber. obviously the ones on the sticker arent too reliable. You might want to wait until normal business hours though. when our guys are dispatched for emergency service we charge ALOT more than during the day when we are open.

Answer 3

It is the pressure valves releasing the pressure inside the tank, It sound like you have air in the tank. What you might do in open that valve and let the air (along with some water) out, when the water runs smooth and you see not air coming out with the water it should be fine. If you want to try this again the next day to check and make sure there is no air in the tank, just open the valve again and make sure the water the comes out runs smooth with no air in it. Make sure you know where the shut off valve for the water is, in case the valve gets stuck, but you should be able to just push the valve down and the spring inside should close he valve. You can e-mail me with any assistance with this issue.

Answer 4

Call your gas company.

In winter months gas companies inject large quantities of propane into their natural gas systems. Sometimes these contain a degree of higher molecular gas than natural gas and even a high moisture content in the mixed gases. That prevents a nice even flow thru the orfice in the water heater, thus the hissing and noise you hear. Copy this and show it to the Gas Company man and demand a fix on the spot. Probably will blame it on a plugged orfice but dont believe him its his gas quality hes sending you.

Answer 5

It sounds like it's ready to go. It must have a crack in it. See if there's water leaking in the inside of the unit, if so and how much. You may have to turn the water to the unit off and the gas/electric. Call someone in the morning. As long as you shut everything down don't worry, nothing is going to happen.

Answer 6

1 turn it off..gas: turn top of dial from on to off position electric :turn off power @ circuit panel. 2. turn off water supply: turn handle clockwise until it stops. Call a plumber in the morning.

Answer 7

sounds like it might have a crack in it.