What to Do When Your Geyser Is Making Noises In 2024

When a home's geyser starts making noise, figuring out the problem can be tricky, especially if the sound comes and goes. A geyser has the important job of heating the home’s cold water, providing hot water for showers, faucets, dishwashers, and washing machines.

If you notice sizzling, hissing, or crackling sounds, it could mean there’s sediment buildup in the tank. Regular maintenance, like flushing and draining the tank each year, helps prevent this issue and extends the life of the geyser.

Read on to learn more about the types of sounds a geyser can make and what they might mean.

Common Geyser Noises and Causes

These common geyser noises are mainly related to tanked geyser particularly gas or electric.

Let’s discuss about it:

Rumbling

Sediment buildup often happens in hot water tanks, especially in places with hard water. Minerals from the water settle at the bottom of the tank and can cause issues. When the water heats up and expands, it moves through the sediment, causing it to shift and make a rumbling noise as it hits the tank's sides and bottom.

If you're good with DIY tasks, you can try flushing and draining the tank with a long hose to remove the sediment. Another option is using a descaling solution to break down the limescale inside the tank.

Popping

Popping sounds, like rumbling, are usually due to limescale and sediment buildup in the tank. This noise happens when steam bubbles form under the sediment and pop as the water heats up. A quick fix is to use a descaling product to break down the limescale, but flushing and draining the tank is often more effective for removing built-up sediment.

Popping can also happen if an aluminum anode rod in the tank reacts to high alkalinity. A plumber can check this and make any needed repairs.

Sizzling, Hissing, or Crackling

Sizzling, hissing, and crackling sounds are often heard from electric geysers. These noises usually come from sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank, which can be resolved by flushing and draining the geyser once a year. These sounds happen because sediment covers the lower heating element.

But noise isn’t the only sign of this issue you might also notice higher heating bills as the geyser works harder to heat the same amount of water, with the lower element not producing as much heat.

If you hear sizzling from a gas geyser, it could be due to internal condensation dripping onto the burners, which may mean there’s a leak in the tank. In this case, call a plumber to check it out.

Ticking

Ticking noises around the water tank can come from changes in water pressure, 

efficiency-boosting heat trap nipples, or loose pipe straps. The good news is that these issues are generally harmless.

If changes in water pressure aren’t frequent or extreme (like quickly opening and closing the main water valve), they won’t harm the system. Heat trap nipples, which boost the tank’s efficiency, can also cause ticking sounds. If the noise is bothersome, you can swap them out for regular nipples.

Loose pipe straps are also not serious, but tightening or replacing them can stop the ticking and keep the pipes from shifting. Lowering the water temperature a few degrees may also reduce pipe expansion and stop the ticking.

Banging or Hammering

Water hammer is the banging sound you hear in the pipes when water suddenly stops or changes direction, creating a pressure surge. This surge can sometimes burst pipes or damage the water tank. If it happens often, installing a water hammer arrestor or a pressure-reducing valve can help solve the issue.

How to Prevent Sediment Buildup?

In areas with hard water, sediment buildup in your water tank is often hard to avoid. Using a water softener regularly can help reduce minerals in the water and might slow down sediment buildup.

However, flushing and draining the tank once a year is the best way to prevent sediment buildup. When white scale sticks to the heating element, it can make the heater less efficient and even clog the tank’s drain valve, which can be a safety risk.

When to Call a Professional?

With a variety of options available for geyser price in Pakistan, it’s important to know when to rely on professional help for maintenance. Most geyser issues should be handled by a trained expert who understands hot water systems. Annual maintenance, like flushing the geyser, is recommended, especially if you’re unfamiliar with plumbing tasks.

If your geyser starts making a popping noise, it could mean that the aluminum anode rod needs replacement with a magnesium one. Crackling sounds may indicate condensation inside the geyser, which a professional should inspect. For loud screeching or screaming noises, it’s best to turn off the water and power (either gas or electricity) immediately and contact a specialist.

In some cases, a hammering noise in your water system may not be directly related to the geyser but could signal a water pressure issue that requires professional attention.

Last Words

If your geyser is making noises, it's essential to find out why to avoid bigger problems later. Common sounds include rumbling from sediment buildup, popping from steam bubbles, sizzling from heating elements, and banging from changes in water pressure. To prevent these issues, it’s a good idea to flush the tank once a year. If the noises continue or seem serious, it's best to call a professional to check and fix it.

FAQs

1. What causes a geyser to make rumbling noises?
   Rumbling noises in a geyser often happen due to sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. This occurs when minerals from hard water settle and shift as the water heats up.
2. Why does my geyser make popping sounds?
   Popping sounds can occur from steam bubbles forming under sediment in the tank. These bubbles pop as the water heats. Regular flushing and draining can help eliminate this issue.
3. What do sizzling or hissing noises indicate?
   Sizzling, hissing, or crackling noises usually come from sediment buildup covering the heating elements. This can make the geyser less efficient and lead to higher energy bills.
4. When should I call a plumber for my geyser?
   You should call a plumber if you hear loud screeching or screaming noises, if there are crackling sounds indicating possible condensation, or if the geyser needs parts replaced, such as the anode rod.
5. How can I prevent sediment buildup in my geyser?
   To prevent sediment buildup, flush and drain your geyser at least once a year. Using a water softener can also help reduce mineral content in the water.