[AKdaplumba]

Hi All,
Recently I have noticed my water heater grumbling like water hammer when a faucet is turned on. It happens with more than one fixture so I dont think its fixture specific. I did the water pipe in the house so I dont think its a lack of clips. I am planning on renting the house out later on so I don't want complaints. I notice it happens when the hot is turned on wide open. I also installed the water heater in 2019.

Between now and before this started happening, nothing has changed with the water pipe. What should I check?

Thanks.

 

[DDDave]

Grumbling equals water hammer? I would ask my customer to describe it differently if they could.
A thermal expansion tank would absorb hammer, but not fix the problem possibly.

 

[AKdaplumba]

Grumbling equals water hammer? I would ask my customer to describe it differently if they could.
A thermal expansion tank would absorb hammer, but not fix the problem possibly.

Its my house. It grumbles/rumbles for a half second to a few seconds. I also did install an expansion tank back in October.
It sounds like turbulent flow, like a vibration. Isnt water hammer when a fixture is turned off not on?

 

[DDDave]

Yes, I've always associated hammer with turning a fixture off.
So, turbulent flow vibration. What is the brand on the water heater? Does it have check balls for heat traps? Is there a pressure regulator valve gone bad?

 

[AKdaplumba]

Yes, I've always associated hammer with turning a fixture off.
So, turbulent flow vibration. What is the brand on the water heater? Does it have check balls for heat traps? Is there a pressure regulator valve gone bad?

Its a John Wood, I replaced the PRV shortly before I installed the expansion tank. No heat trap. One thing I have noticed is if the cold is turned on first, it will reduce or eliminate the sound when the hot is turned on. All faucets with the exception of my bath faucet is 2 handle. My single handle bath faucet hasnt been a cause, yet.

 

[DDDave]

"balance" issue. The symptoms change by turning cold on first then hot. Turning the hot fully on is pulling against something cold. You have checked for noises elsewhere besides the water heater?

 

[AKdaplumba]

"balance" issue. The symptoms change by turning cold on first then hot. Turning the hot fully on is pulling against something cold. You have checked for noises elsewhere besides the water heater?

The one place I have noticed is where the kitchen water comes out of the wall. It moves over 3 ft behind the cabinet to where the sink is. This was the original noise but it has been taken over by the water heater. This kitchen noise was water hammer.

 

[DDDave]

Is the noise exactly reproducible whenever you want? Shut supply to both sides of the single handle and try.

 

[TerryTotoSucks]

The baffles are bad in the water heater, it must be replaced.

 

[AKdaplumba]

Is the noise exactly reproducible whenever you want? Shut supply to both sides of the single handle and try.

No. It doesnt happen all the time.

 

[TerryTotoSucks]

It’s sediment in the bottom of the heater releasing dissolved gasses.

Sorry for the previous post, I didn’t realize you were a member. I thought you were a homeowner DIY

 

[AKdaplumba]

It’s sediment in the bottom of the heater releasing dissolved gasses.

Sorry for the previous post, I didn’t realize you were a member. I thought you were a homeowner DIY

Is this another joke?

I flush the tank out 2x a year, last time I flushed it was in December.

 

[TerryTotoSucks]

Is this another joke?

I flush the tank out 2x a year, last time I flushed it was in December.

From what you’ve described it sounds like dissolved gas from sediment.

A lot of sediment in your area ?

 

[AKdaplumba]

From what you’ve described it sounds like dissolved gas from sediment.

A lot of sediment in your area ?

Not that I know of. I have flushed out this and the previous water heater 2x year and never had a problem up until like 2 months ago.

 

[Tom F Ohio]

If you have sediment laying on the bottom the the water heater and the burner kicks on it will pop it like popcorn

 

[AKdaplumba]

If you have sediment laying on the bottom the the water heater and the burner kicks on it will pop it like popcorn

I just recently flushed out the tank. For now, I will flush the tank out again and see if they changes.

 

[TerryTotoSucks]

I just recently flushed out the tank. For now, I will flush the tank out again and see if they changes.

If you have a gas heater and it’s grumbling sometimes then my money is on sediment in the bottom of the tank releasing dissolved gas.

 

[skoronesa]

Check the little rubber flaps in the cold inlet/diptube.



@sparky Would recommend replacing the plastic diptube with some 3/4" OD copper, I'd have to agree. Just kidding on the diptube, but might as well check that too while you're in there.

 

[Master Mark]

Its called lime,, sediment....

it rumbles, and crackles....

get a water softener and it will clear it up eventually

 

[jakewilcox]

Aren’t you a plumber?