Do you hear your water heater making a popping sound? The source of the issue may be trapped water boiling under mineral deposits within the water tank. A majority of cities and suburbs receive hard water. This type of water contains a lot of dissolved minerals. These minerals tend to weigh more than the rest of the water, so over time, they accumulate at the bottom of the tank and form pieces of sediment. The presence of sediment in your water heater tank is what traps water underneath and causes it to steam up and burst from the added pressure.
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Did You Know Sediment Build-Up Damages Water Heaters?
A tiny bit of sediment floating across the bottom of your water heater won’t do much to warm your water. However, if you let this problem grow over time, it can cause noises in your water heater. In addition, your system will need to work harder to create hot water. Excess sediment can cause your water heater to overheat.
This seriously damages the lining in the water tank as well as the outer steel and increases the risk of leaks. Not to mention that it also consumes a huge amount of energy that you won’t see until you get your monthly bill. So if your water heater is making a popping sound, and you’ve never flushed your tank before, you probably have a lot of excess sediment to remove in the tank. You better get moving!
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How To Drain Your Water Heater
Should your water heater be making a popping noise, you can easily flush your water heater as follows:
- Switch your gas water heater to the “pilot” setting. Turn off your electric water heater at the circuit breaker
- Turn off the water supply. Rotate the cold water ball valve clockwise. Pull down the cold water lever (located above the tank)
- Allow the water heater to cool off for 30 minutes
- Connect a water hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank
- Place the other end of the hose somewhere it can drain
- Switch on the pressure relief valve on the top of the tank
- Turn a small slot on the drain valve to open it
- Allow the water to completely drain
- Flush out any leftover sediment by using the cold water valve/lever.
- Close the valve and fill the tank with cold water once the flush water runs clear
- Turn the water heater back on when the tank is filled
If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, just call the water heater specialists at Fenwick Home Services to do it for you at (904) 478-1621.
How To Prevent Sediment Build-Up in a Hot Water Heater
We’ll cut right to the chase for you. The simplest, most fool-proof way of stopping mineral deposit formation in your water heater is to schedule regular maintenance service with a licensed plumber. An experienced technician can clean out all hard water residue to prevent your water heater from making a popping noise. A certified technician can also discuss the advantages of performing a water softener installation to prevent popping sounds in your water tank in the future. In addition, investing in a water softener will help prevent excess minerals from entering your hot water heater. We’re happy to offer our expertise to save you from a huge plumbing expense and, of course—make your life a little easier.
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Water Heater Repair & Replacement Services
Hot water plays a huge role in the comfort of your home. We suggest you don’t wait until it’s gone to find out just how much you use it. If your water heater is producing a popping sound, give our team of local plumbers a call by phone at (904) 217-5694 to receive help. We offer water heater repair services to homes in areas of Florida such as Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, and St. Johns. In addition, we offer other types of emergency plumbing services such as water heater replacement, water line repair, and sink installation. You’ll end your visit wishing you’d contacted our friendly, knowledgeable repair technicians sooner!