So you’ve noticed that when you’re near your water heater it’s making a peculiar sound. The noise you’re hearing could be described as a popping, rumbling, or maybe a knocking noise. This type of noise means that there is sediment built up at the bottom of your water heater. Sediment build up is extremely common. It happens all across the country but particularly here in New Mexico because we struggle with high amounts of hard water in this area. If you need a water heater in Albuquerque, then be sure to contact our team today. We understand what it takes to keep your home running smoothly all year round.
Understanding Sediment and How It Gets in Your Tank
So, what is sediment and how does it get into your tank? The sediment that settles at the bottom of your tank is the result of minerals in hard water. Hard water is water with a high mineral contact (typically calcium or magnesium). This hard water enters your tank, and as it heats the minerals have the opportunity to settle at the bottom of your tank.
Sediment build-up is a problem because it causes the following issues:
- It limits the capacity of your water heater
- It slows heat transfer to the water which can cause your system to overheat
- It lowers the efficiency of your system and raises your heating bills
Why Sediment Causes This Odd Noise
So now you understand how sediment ends up in your tank water heater, but why does it make your system create that weird noise?
The popping noise that you hear in your tank is the sound of the steam bubbles escaping the sediment. The element the water heater uses to heat the water is at the bottom of the tank where lots of sediment is likely to have solidified. It’s just like when you’re waiting for a covered pot of water to boil and you start to hear the bubbles popping in the pot or even see the creation of these bubbles pushing the pot’s top.
You need this addressed because it means that your water heater is struggling to heat the water in your system properly.
What You Can Do About It
Schedule maintenance services for your water heater. This is the best way to combat any problems with a tank water heater. We know how tempting it is to try to perform these services on your own: there are great resources to DIY just about anything these days, but your water heater isn’t eligible for this type of treatment. You need to have a professional come out and assess your system and perform any necessary repairs. Our entire team is qualified, extensively trained, and ready to perform any services you might need to have your system perform flawlessly again.
We’ve been in business here in Albuquerque since 1999. Throughout our time in business, we’ve taken the time to cultivate our craft. We’re confident in our abilities to keep homeowners here happy.