Is your water heater making a thumping noise? It’s not a thief in the night, or a solicitor knocking at your door – it’s your trusty water heater. You might have dealt with a variety of other water heater problems before, like no hot water, inconsistent hot and cold water, or a leaky water heater. But your water heater also has a voice of its own, and will occasionally make thumps, bumps, and groans. But what do they mean? And what should you do about them? We’re here to help.
The Hard Water Problem
If your water heater is making a thumping noise, it’s likely due to sediment build-up from hard water in your area. This can be a serious issue for your water heater, and one that should be attended to immediately. If you know that you live in an area with particularly hard water, then it’s important that you look out for a thumping water heater. When the minerals in your water are heated (specifically, when calcium carbonate is heated) they start to settle to the bottom, creating a problem for your water heater. Sediment build-up reduces efficiency, and also circulates throughout the rest of the water heater.
What Can You Do to Stop the Thumping?
In order to get rid of the thumping water heater problem, you’ll need to remove the sediment from the tank. This can be done via a tank flush (which, realistically, should be done on an annual basis at least). You can flush your water heater yourself, or have a professional plumber do it for you. The tank must be flushed through the drain valve, and you can perform either a full flush (the water heater must be fully shut down) or a mini flush (which is easier, but not as effective as a full flush). Flushing the water heater will prevent corrosion, rust, and will also improve the efficiency of your water heater.
