what makes a home water heater gurgle? Water heater makes loud gurgling sound and my wife is concerned.Thanks!

Answer 1

Gurgle is caused by dediment in the bottom of the tank. It can be sand that has settled from the water, rust from inside the tank and pipes that has flaked off or heavy mineral water that has coated and lfaked off. It is caused by the water being trapped and turning to steam that rises by expansion. May want to consider replacement before it cracks a seam and starts leaking all over the floor. Would bet the unit is over 6 years old and the recommended maintenance of monthly draining has not been done. To start the draining now may get the dediment out but would probably never be able to reseat the drain valve and prevent leaks.

Answer 2

Turn water off. Connect water hose to spigot on bottom. Run hose outside. Open Valve. Lift TP valve to the upright position. If it doesn't start flowing, turn water back on for a sec. ( Close TP valve first ) Turn water off and drain heater. ( BTW, If it's electric, turn off breaker ) This will rid heater of excessive sediment and will help unit run more efficiently and quietly.

Answer 3

hook a hose up to the bottom and drain it. leave the water turned on to the heater itself for a minute or two, then turn it off and drain the heater. get all that calcium out of there man.

Answer 4

It is caused by mineral deposits in your tank. Your heater is nearing it's end. It's not going to die tomorrow, but it's not going to go another decade either. Here's a bulletin about water heater problems:

http://www.hotwater.com/bulletin/main1.htm

Answer 5

I always think it's the steam. If you notice it only when the water is very hot, then that's pretty much it.
Turn the thermostat to moderate or a lower value. So that water doesn't get too hot.

Answer 6

water coming faster than water going out. normal.