Is there an economical solution?
2007-10-21 10:57:08 · 11 answers · asked by trop 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I'd bet this is a gas unit, and that you have a fair amount of lime, or calcium content in your water. While this sort of thing can be avoided by regular maintainance, it has to be started when the unit is new, not after the popping, crackling sounds start. I'd also bet that the noises don't start till the flame kicks on. That's when the small pieces of lime or calcium sediment in the bottom get heated up to the point that they explode in the water. Actually that's nothing worry about, if the noise doesn't bother you, it doesn't hurt anything and will last several years, if it's not ancient already, before the tank leaks and it needs to be replaced.
If this is an electric unit, then the crackling, frying sound you hear, which is rare, is the heating element heating the cool water that's being introduced into the tank as the hot water goes out the top.
As for the thing exploding, I've been repairing and installing these things for nearly 35 years now, and have only heard of one unit that exploded, and it wasn't because of the tank, it was from a gas leak that no one caught. That could happen to any gas appliance. And one last thought,......... putting a water heater in an attic is a really stupid idea.
2007-10-21 12:31:12 · answer #1 · answered by Corky R 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Can happen if all the the valves are not open all the way or faulty (does not take much) or there is some other restriction as mentioned. You should hear good water flow , not a hissing dribble. Even then the tank should fill eventually. Could also be building up air pressure in the tank, might burp the vent & see if it blows air before filling . Cant hurt anything & if you need a plumber you can at least tell him what you tried. Best regards
2016-05-24 01:37:49 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Often, there is a rod in the middle of the water heater that is removed from the top that needs to be replaced. If you keep regular maintenance of the water heater, it will prevent premature rusting of the water heater from the insider out! If you do not have the water heater checked, you could suffer a burst water heater and water will pour from the base! Most of the time the water heater is located in the attic. The water damge from the burst water heater can cause thousands of dollars in damage and discomfort!
2007-10-21 11:06:02 · answer #3 · answered by Tracey B 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is natural and caused by a reaction of heat and cold. As you run the hot water, the level of water goes down in the hot water heater. As the level goes down in the hot water heater, cold water is added to the hot water to bring it back up to its normal full level. As the cold water is added it cools the water in the hot water heater at a very fast rate causing the hot water to begin heating the water to bring it back up to its selected temperature. This quick fluctuation in temperature causes the crackling sound you hear.
2007-10-21 11:05:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is called expansion tank is cool and you use hot water so it comes on either gas fired or electric when it starts to get hot the metal expands thus you hear crackling sound,normal abnormal is leaking water. Try turning down the set temp. on your tank so water doesn't get extremely hot over the years can damage the tank.
2007-10-21 11:02:07 · answer #5 · answered by luis d 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no but there's a simple explanation,
when you turn the hot water on, the cold water runs in behind it, [keeps the tank full]
the temp change will cause the crackling sound, nothing to worry about its normal,
2007-10-21 11:02:42 · answer #6 · answered by William B 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'll go with Corkys answer. It can be stopped by draining and flushing the heater tank. You will be able to see the deposits coming out of the hose when you drain and flush it.
2007-10-21 13:15:00 · answer #7 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's normal, not a problem, unless it has suddenly appeared out of nowhere recently and is really loud. I think it's just the thermal popping of the kind you hear when there are temperature shifts in coffee makers, when a dryer is cooling down, etc.
2007-10-21 11:00:46 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. Vincent Van Jessup 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Calcium balls built up from not draining it yearly it will eventually crack the glass lineing and will have to be replaced.Hmm 2 thumbs down to this answer and its the truth sorry to tell ya be ready to replace it when it starts leaking.
2007-10-21 10:59:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
o man mine did that right before it blew up and ruined the basement....
2007-10-21 11:00:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋