My water heater is making strange noises. What could it be?

[Ksyder]

I live in an apartment where the furnace and water heater are in a closet on the first floor. Whenever my brother (roommate) or I shower, when the hot water heater is refilling it makes this strange noises, like there is a bunch of marbles bouncing around in it or something, or alternately it could be described as some sort of creaking noises that stop after a few minutes.

What is causing this? Its a typical gas water heater.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Could be a problem with not being properly vented or, scale build up in the water heater. Has it always made this noise or, did it just start suddenly? Does your sink drain slowly? How old is the water heater?

 

[Ksyder]

I just moved into the apartment a couple weeks ago. Its been doing it since I moved here. The sticker on it says 1996 so I'm guessing that is how old it is. All the drains work good.

I was just looking it up on google and it seems that you are supposed to drain it out to remove the scale.

What do you think of doing this? http://www.hometips.com/repair-fix/water-heater-maintenance.html

I might break out the hose and drain that sucker and see if it helps.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I just moved into the apartment a couple weeks ago. Its been doing it since I moved here. The sticker on it says 1996 so I'm guessing that is how old it is. All the drains work good.

I was just looking it up on google and it seems that you are supposed to drain it out to remove the scale.

You would also need to replace the sacrificial anode. Although, if the water heater is standard "builder quality," you are at the end of its lifetime. Still, if you are going to the trouble of draining it, replacing the anode is an inexpensive and easy fix.

 

[Ksyder]

Is the sacrificial anode a standard part that can be bought at a hardware store? Is it worth going to the trouble of draining it and replacing that part? Should I try to convince the apartment manager to replace it (entire heater that is)? Or do most people wait until the tank is rusted out and it leaks all over the place to do it.

 

[rcpratt]

14 years? That's longer than most water heaters last. Try to get a new one.

 

[Number1]

After 14 years, its time for a new one.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Is the sacrificial anode a standard part that can be bought at a hardware store? Is it worth going to the trouble of draining it and replacing that part? Should I try to convince the apartment manager to replace it? Or do most people wait until the tank is rusted out and it leaks all over the place to do it.

The anode is a standard part that is related to the Brand and series of your water heater. Any large hardware store or home improvement store will carry it. Only standard hand tools needed. Draining it is the problematic part. Obviously, you need somewhere for the water to go and you will be without hot water for a while. In my experience, good luck in trying to convince the apartment manager to replace it based solely on noise.

 

[Ksyder]

The anode is a standard part that is related to the Brand and series of your water heater. Any large hardware store or home improvement store will carry it. Only standard hand tools needed. Draining it is the problematic part. Obviously, you need somewhere for the water to go and you will be without hot water for a while. In my experience, good luck in trying to convince the apartment manager to replace it based solely on noise.

Thanks. Helpful info. I agree about getting them to replace it. I guess I'll just have to hope that it breaks somehow (without ruining all my stuff in the closet next to it)

But, you never know. They gave me a brand new stove when I moved in just because the other one was old (really old, had push buttons on the top. Looked like it was from the 70's probably) I'll mention to it when I tell them that the sink in the bathroom is leaking. They did some really shoddy work on this apartment before I moved in. They fired the guy who did the work and had to bring other people in to fix it after we moved in. Unfortunately there are still a few issues.

 

[spaceman]

the sound of ur wallet groaning
and the h+c man smiling >?

 

[mmntech]

14 years? That's longer than most water heaters last. Try to get a new one.

14 years is a good run. Usually they only last 10 years if that. Depends on how hard your local water is. Mine comes from an aquifer so it's high in lime. Really destroys our heaters even though we do soften it.

 

[Newbian]

Has it gone boom yet?

 

[MikeMike]

atleast it just sounds like marbles...

or does it sound more like someone hammering?

because if its the latter, be freaking cautious.

 

[Ksyder]

atleast it just sounds like marbles...

or does it sound more like someone hammering?

because if its the latter, be freaking cautious.

Why, is it going to blow up?

 

[Born2bwire]

If it is popping, thumping when the water is being heated, I think that is usually sediment. I had a water heater that did that, can't remember if we it was ever resolved. It probably got replaced during the remodeling when I moved out.

 

[Bignate603]

If its an apartment why are you even doing this yourself? Shouldn't the landlord take care of it? Unless you're responsible for maintenance I wouldn't touch it. If they have to fix it later and they find out you did anything to it they may try and pin the cost of replacing it on you.

 

[ISAslot]

http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pa.../quick-fixes-to-water-heater-problems.html#12

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