Is Your Water Heater Whistling? Here’s How To Fix It
Have you noticed your water heater making a whistling noise? Appliances and fixtures will make noises during operation, but a high-pitched whistling is not one of these normal noises.
When your water heater tank makes this noise, we recommend you call a plumbing professional to check it out. It can lead to costly repairs if it’s not taken care of quickly.
Reasons Your Water Heater Is Making a Whistling Noise
Temperature Pressure Relief Valve
That whistling noise coming from your water heater may be because of your water heater’s temperature pressure relief (TPR) valve. Your water heater’s TPR is a safety feature that releases tank pressure when the water tank is getting too full. The valve releases to create a whistling sound, which could explain the sound you’re hearing.
Damaged Water Heater Tank
The whistling noise coming from your water heater could be caused by a damaged tank. Old or outdated water heaters often have corrosion inside them, which could lead to cracks and leaks in the tank wall. It’s important to call a plumbing professional to get this checked for you. Overlooked cracks can cause serious damage and costly repairs.
How to Fix a Whistling Water Heater
There are two common ways to silence your whistling water heater.
Flush Your Hot Water Tank
The main reason for a whining water heater is a buildup of sediment in the tank. To fix this:
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Hook up a garden hose to the draincock on your water heater.
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Place the other end of the house outside, either by a sewer drain or in the street, to allow for a clean draining.
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Open the draincock and allow the tank to drain for roughly five minutes before placing the end of the hose in a bucket.
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Fill the bucket and check the water. Remove the hose and turn your water heater back on if the water is clear. If the water is cloudy and filled with sediment, keep repeating this process until the water is clear.
Replace the Water Heater’s Anode Rod
Since electricity and water don’t mix well, turn off the main breaker in your home while performing this maintenance. Once the power is off, turn your water heater’s pilot knob to the pilot position and make sure your water supply is turned off.
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Take out the original anode rod and replace it with a zinc alloy anode rod.
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Clean any scale from the heating element until it’s completely clean.
An old anode rod and a scale-covered heating element can sometimes be why your water heater is whining.
Fixing a whistling water heater can be tricky. Contact the professionals at Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical for assistance, and we’ll fix the problem in no time.
To learn more or schedule a service, give us a call or reach out online.
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