If your water heater is making a whistling sound, you might be experiencing more than just an annoying noise. A whistling water heater can be a sign of underlying issues that may lead to bigger problems down the line if they’re not resolved. In this article, we’ll take a look at some common causes of a whistling water heater, the potential dangers/problems associated with it, and how to fix them.
What Causes a Whistling Water Heater?
Temperature and Pressure Relief (T&P) Valve
The temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve is an important safety component of your home’s water heater. It’s designed to release excess pressure from your hot water heater tank, helping to prevent dangerous pressure buildup that could lead to an explosion.
Cause of Whistling: A broken, old or worn-out pressure relief valve might not work properly, allowing pressure to escape unevenly, which can end up causing a whistling sound. This whistling noise can indicate that the valve is either not sealing correctly, or that it needs to be replaced.
How to Fix It: You can stop the whistling noise by replacing your water heater’s broken pressure relief valve. Even though this is a fairly easy fix, it’s still important that it’s done correctly in order to maintain the safety and integrity of your water heater and avoid any problems. At Logan Services, we are happy to offer professional pressure relief valve installation services for any homeowner who needs help.
Sediment Buildup in the Tank
Sediment buildup is a major cause of many different problems with water heaters. Minerals from hard water can settle at the bottom of your water heater over time, forming a layer of sediment. This buildup, which typically consists of limescale formed from a mixture of calcium and magnesium, can block a number of critical pathways inside the water tank, impacting its performance and causing it to overheat
Whistling Cause: As the water overheats due to the build up of sediment, steam can escape through small openings in the tank, which produces a whistling noise.
How to Fix It: Routine flushing of your hot water heater tank can remove sediment buildup, improving its performance and getting rid of the whistling noise. Flush your water heater tank at least once a year to keep up with maintenance, or more often if you have a problem with hard water.
Loose or Worn-Out Connections
The connections on your hot water heater – namely the water inlets, outlets, and drain valves – can loosen over time, which allows air or steam to escape. These small leaks can cause a whistling sound.
Tightening up or replacing any loose or worn-out connections can usually fix this issue. If you aren’t sure of how to do this safely, we highly recommend you speak with a professional. Our plumbing experts here at Logan Services are ready to provide you with a FREE estimate for fast, friendly service!
High Water Pressure
Excessively high water pressure can create a whistling noise in your water heater as water is forced through the system too quickly.
Cause of Whistling: High water pressure causes the valves and connections to struggle, which then creates whistling noises.
How to Fix It: Installing a pressure reducing valve can control the water flow to your system, keeping the water pressure at a safe and manageable level. This can also help prevent any whistling noises.
Cracked Water Heater Tank
A crack in your water heater tank is a serious issue! Cracks can form due to corrosion, the age of the system, or built up internal pressure. These cracks can eventually affect the structural integrity of the entire tank, causing issues like whistling sounds to occur.
Signs & Repairs: If you think there’s a crack in your water heater, start off by looking for leaks around the tank or listening for the telltale whistling sound that comes from steam or water that’s escaping. Unfortunately, a cracked tank can’t fixed and will need to be replaced with a new one in order to ensure safety. Our plumbing technicians are ready to help make sure your water tank replacement is done safely and efficiently.
When to Call a Professional
homeowners may be able to perform some of these repairs, like tightening connections or flushing sediment out of the water tank, but most water heater repairs should be done by professional plumbers. Calling an experienced plumbing company like Logan Services ensures that the job is completed safely and effectively, protecting your home and water heater. Our team of experts can assess and diagnose the problem, properly perform any necessary repairs, and offer advice on water heater maintenance to prevent problems moving forward.
If your water heater is whistling, don’t ignore it! Contact the plumbing professionals at Logan Services today to schedule a professional water heater inspection and keep your water heater running smoothly and safely all year long.
