If your hot water system is making strange noises like rumbling, popping, knocking or screeching, it likely needs servicing. Common causes include sediment buildup and water hammer which a plumber can diagnose and repair. Contact Wetherill Park Plumbing to fix your noisy hot water system today.
A properly functioning hot water system, quiet and efficient, is crucial for Australian households, especially in Wetherill Park, Sydney. The sounds emitting from your hot water system can indicate specific issues that require maintenance or repair.
Some common noises in your pipes and their causes that can become problematic include:
Understanding how to fix minor noises efficiently is essential, as making noise can develop into major problems if left unchecked. Contact our Wetherill Park plumbing team on 1300 349 338 to diagnose any unusual sounds, like your water heater making unexpected noises.
Loud banging or 'water hammer’ is a prevalent scenario in pipes making sudden, loud noises, caused by high water pressure in hot water systems. Left unchecked, repeated water hammer events can create a cacophony that pipes could contribute to, leading to damaged fittings, fixtures, and even pinhole leaks or burst pipes over time.
When water heater valves close suddenly, fast moving water slams into a closed section and pipes shake from the impact, resulting in a loud hammering sound.
You should turn off your property’s main shut off valve and have it checked to ensure correct water pressure levels. To stave off water pressure issues, the ideal range should be between 25 and 45 PSI.
If it is too high, a plumber should install pressure reducing valves and water hammer arrestors to reduce water heater noises and prevent damage to your walls and piping. Making these corrections as soon as possible, such as checking the off valve, is crucial since the constant vibrations from water hammer weakens pipes.
There are a few potential causes of loud banging or hammering noises from your hot water system:
Over time, mineral deposits and sediment can build up inside the water heater tank and pipes. As water is heated, sediment expands, causing banging or popping noises which a water heater can make, indicative of a need for water repair. A robust flush your water heater routine can help clear out sediment buildup.
When water is heated, it expands in volume. In a closed system like a hot water system, this expanding water pushes against the pipes, fittings, and valves, resulting in banging noises. Installing thermal expansion tanks with a heat trap mechanism at the water pipe exit points gives the expanding water a designated space, effectively reducing noise.
Certain components inclusive of circulation pumps, heating elements and temperature/pressure relief valves in your water heater gradually wear out over the years. As they deteriorate, they can start rattling around, causing banging or knocking noises inside the water heater.
There are a few ways to fix banging noises coming from your hot water heater pipes:
High water pressure is often the root cause of water hammer and resulting banging noises. Have a plumber check and adjust your home’s main shut off to ensure water pressure is between 45-60 PSI if needed. Installing pressure reducing valves at the top tank can also help.
Flushing the water heater regularly is a reliable method for how fix issues of mineral deposits and sediment build-up inside the tank and pipes that can contribute to banging. Draining water from the tank drain valve can loosen this buildup.
Special air chambers, known as water hammer arrestor devices, absorb the shock of sudden water stops, preventing water hammering in lines from vibrating. Your plumber can install these near problem areas on water supply lines.
If banging noises persist after trying these fixes, contact our Wetherill Park plumbing team for professional inspection and repair. Failing to address loud banging can cause pipe damage over time.
High-pitched screeching or whistling noises, not unlike the disturbance tree roots can cause in your plumbing, often indicate worn out components in your hot water system. As parts like circulation pumps, heating elements and temperature/pressure relief valves deteriorate from years of use, gaps can form causing steam or water to escape at high velocity.
Start by conducting a thorough check of valves and inspecting your taps connected to them. Fully open all shut off valve mechanisms to ensure unrestricted flow.
Partially closed valves in electric water heater systems restrict water flow, forcing it through the narrow opening at high speeds that induce whistling noises. Also check for obstructions and clear out any debris blocking the valves.
If whistling persists, the issues may lie deeper within your gas water heater system. Have a licenced plumber inspect the pump, heating elements, piping and connectors. Replacing worn out parts can eliminate steam leaks and high-pitched noises.
While troubleshooting, also listen for hissing sounds which indicate simple leaks. Our Wetherill Park plumbing technicians have extensive hot water system expertise to accurately diagnose any unusual noises and make necessary repairs.
Screeching noises, similar to the sound of a malfunctioning washing machine from your heater are often caused by worn-out components with gaps allowing steam or water to rush out at high velocity.
The most likely causes of screeching noises include:
As components deteriorate, gaps form causing pressurised water/steam to escape through the openings at high speeds, inducing a loud screeching sound.
Have a licenced plumber inspect your system to identify and replace any failing parts. Our Wetherill Park team can accurately diagnose causes of screeching noises.
If your hot water system is emitting a loud, high-pitched screeching sound, there are a few steps you can take to address the issue:
Start by inspecting all the valves in the system. Make sure every water tap is fully open and free of any blockages or debris that could restrict water flow. Partially closed hot water tap valves can force water through narrow openings at high velocity, inducing screeching.
Have a licenced plumber inspect critical system components like circulation pumps, heating elements, and temperature/pressure relief valves. Gaps in deteriorating parts can cause pressurised steam or water to escape at high speeds and screech.
Replacing damaged or failing components is key to stopping screeching noises long-term. Our experienced Wetherill Park plumbing team can diagnose issues and replace worn circulation pumps, heating elements, connecting pipes or fittings causing leaks and noise.
Addressing persistent screeching right away prevents further damage. For noises that might compromise your plumbing system, contact our Wetherill Park office on 1300 349 338 for urgent repairs.
Rumbling or popping noises often indicate sediment buildup inside the hot water system over time. Sediment buildup, particularly at the bottom water portion of the tank, is one of the most common causes of these types of noises. Mineral deposits and sediment tend to accumulate, a situation for which a regular flush your water heater routine could be the hot water repair process to minimise expansion noises when water heats up.
This expansion within the bottom of the water heater tank causes rumbling or popping sounds.
Flushing your system helps remove sediment from the heater tank and pipes, addressing rumbling/popping noises. Simply draining so that water comes out through the tank drain valve every 6 months helps loosen mineral deposits.
If rumbling/popping persists after flushing, Contact our Wetherill Park plumbing team on 1300 349 338 for a comprehensive heater repair inspection. We can assess sediment buildup and other potential causes of these noises, then make any necessary repairs.
Rumbling and popping noises, often referred to as noisy hot water, from your system are commonly caused by mineral deposits and sediment buildup inside the tank and pipes over time. This noisy hot issue, particularly the rumbling or popping sounds, often occurs in areas with hard water.
As water is heated, the built-up sediment expands and creates rumbling or popping noises when forced through the narrow pipes. Executing a flush your tank procedure every 6 months helps clear this sediment buildup and quiet the system.
If rumbling and popping sounds continue after a thorough flush, there could be additional issues like failing heating elements or circulation pumps. Contact our Wetherill Park team on 1300 349 338 for professional inspection and repair.
Ticking or crackling noises from your hot water system are often caused by thermal expansion. As water is heated, it expands slightly in volume. In closed loop systems, this expansion causes pipes to stretch and contract, resulting in ticking or cracking sounds.
While usually harmless, these noises can cause nuisance. Some solutions to water heater making unusual sounds include:
If loud ticking or crackling persists, there could be a larger issue like sediment buildup or failing components. Our Wetherill Park team can inspect your entire hot water system and quiet any unusual noises— learn more about our comprehensive services.
As water is heated, it naturally expands in volume. Most hot water systems have closed loops where water circulates between a storage tank and heating unit. In these closed loops, expanding water has nowhere to go and instead pushes against metal components like pipes, valves and fittings.
The force exerted causes metal pipes when they stretch and flex slightly. As it moves back into place, ticking or popping noises occur. While usually harmless, the sounds can cause nuisance.
This process repeats as water continually heats and cools when not in use.
Please note that proper insulation around hot water pipes and tanks allows heat to dissipate more slowly. This reduces the expansion/contraction cycle frequency, decreasing noise. Our Wetherill Park team can inspect your insulation and make recommendations to quiet your system.
Insulating your hot water pipes is an effective way to reduce noise caused by thermal expansion. The right insulation material wrapped around pipes absorbs vibration and dampens sounds.
We recommend using high-quality rubber or foam pipe insulation, which you can do with adhesive backing for easy installation. Ensure insulation thickness is at least 1/2 inch to adequately mute noise.
Before insulating, clean pipe surfaces to ensure the insulation adheres properly and reduces any noises coming your way. Wrap insulation sheets around straight pipe sections, sealing seams tightly. Carefully insulate pipes throughout the water heater system.
You can now use pipe insulation tubes around elbow joints, tees and valves, easily sliding them over your entire piping system.
Properly insulating pipes is crucial regular maintenance for noise reduction and energy efficiency. Our Wetherill Park team can advise on choosing the right insulation products and provide professional installation.
While some hot water system noises can be addressed with basic troubleshooting or repairs, it’s important to know when to call in a professional plumber for assistance. If noises persist or get louder after trying DIY fixes, it’s time to call professional help as it likely indicates an underlying issue needing expert diagnosis.
Statistics reveal that only 30% of DIY attempts actually get your hot water repairs to resolve the core issue long-term. Attempting complex repairs without proper training also poses safety hazards from hot surfaces or steam, and risks further damage.
Contact our Wetherill Park plumbing team on 1300 349 338 immediately if all your experiences with water include:
Our licenced technicians have the expertise to accurately diagnose noise water issues in pipes and repair underlying issues correctly the first time, including check valves, whether it’s flushing sediment buildup, replacing worn parts, or installing new components. Over 90% of customers reported complete resolution of hot water noise problems after our service call.
Performing regular preventative maintenance on your heater can steer clear of common water issues like sediment buildup and component failure that contribute to noises. Steps to fix noisy issues include:
Well-maintained water heaters, including quieting noisy hot water pipes your home depends on, not only operate smoothly but also last longer. Contact our Wetherill Park team on 1300 349 338 to schedule annual tune-ups. Investing in preventative maintenance can extend your water heater’s lifespan by up to 5 years.
Extreme weather conditions like heavy rain, heatwaves, and cold snaps frequently cause plumbing emergencies. Issues like pipe bursts, blockages, flooding, and leaks often require urgent attention from a professional emergency plumber to prevent further damage.
Read MoreAs winter approaches, take steps to winterize your hot water system: flush sediment, insulate tank & pipes, check valves, adjust temperature. Prevent bursts & loss of hot water. Contact us for reliable hot water system preparation before winter.
Read MorePipe patching and pipe relining are two methods of repairing damaged pipes without full replacement. Key differences are that patching is more localised whilst relining coats the inside of the whole pipe. Relining takes longer but has a longer lifespan. Call us to learn more and get a quote.
Read MoreWetherill Park, 2164 NSW
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