Could the clicking noise from our hot water heater come from its self-cleaning?

Answer 1

I doubt it. Most likely it is the metal in the hot water heater cooling like in your car or electric baseboard heaters. If you are in doubt contact a plumber, or the service depatement of where you bought it. I have never heard of a self cleaning water heater. If it is new have you read the manual?

Answer 2

If the water heater is under warranty, you should consider having it replaced. Many of the newer units have 5 and 7 year warranty cycles on the elements. Most plumbers will try to get you to put in a new hot water heater. It is extremely difficult and tedious to change an element in those older heaters as you have to drain the water, open the heater, disconnect the gas or electric, unsolder or remove the old element and then resolder or bolt on the new element. The $85.00 charge is pretty steep, but that's about what most cities charge for a new permit. Unless the hot water is under warranty, I would replace the whole unit. A plumber is going to charge a few hundred dollars in labor to replace the element. Question: Is the water heater body still sound? There aren't any leaks?

Answer 3

A clicking or tapping noise of an electric water heater is probably expansion and contraction due to heating and cooling of the element. On a gas water heater, it might be the ignitor on the pilot.