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Fix a water heater that makes noise

We'll confirm the noise type, flush the tank to remove sediment, check pressure and expansion—or tell you when to call a plumber.

Troubleshooting · Home plumbing
30–60 min
What you'll need
  • Garden hose (to reach a drain)
  • Bucket (if no drain nearby)
Step 1 of 5

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the noise type, flush the tank, and check expansion and pressure.

Flush the tank

Goal: Remove sediment that causes popping and rumbling.

  • Turn off power or gas. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom.
  • Open the valve and run water to a drain until it runs clear. Sediment will appear cloudy at first.
  • Close the valve, restore power or gas, and wait for the tank to heat. Listen for the noise.
  • Good: Noise reduced or gone—sediment was the cause.
  • Bad: Noise persists—check expansion tank or call a plumber.

Check expansion and pressure

Goal: Rule out expansion tank and high pressure.

  • If you have an expansion tank, tap it. It should sound hollow at the top and solid at the bottom. Solid throughout—waterlogged; call a plumber.
  • Check water pressure at an outdoor faucet with a gauge. Normal is 40–80 psi. Over 80—call a plumber for a pressure-reducing valve.

When to get help

Call a plumber if:

  • Flushing does not reduce the noise.
  • The noise is loud and persistent.
  • You see rust or sediment in the hot water.
  • The tank is over 10 years old and the noise started suddenly.

Verification

  • Noise reduced or eliminated after flushing.
  • No leaks from the drain valve.
  • Expansion tank (if present) sounds hollow at top, solid at bottom.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm noise type Identify popping, rumbling, or creaking—sediment vs. expansion.
  2. Flush the tank Drain sediment from the tank to reduce or eliminate popping and rumbling.
  3. Check expansion tank Tap the expansion tank—hollow at top, solid at bottom. Waterlogged—call a plumber.
  4. Check water pressure Confirm pressure is 40–80 psi. High pressure can cause noise.
  5. Call a plumber If flushing did not help, noise is loud and persistent, or you see rust in the water.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Type of noise (popping, rumbling, creaking)
  • Whether flushing reduced the noise
  • Expansion tank condition (if present)
  • Steps already tried

Do you hear popping, rumbling, or cracking from the water heater?

These sounds usually indicate sediment. Creaking can mean thermal expansion.

Listen for the noise. Popping and rumbling—sediment. Creaking—expansion. Good: You hear popping or rumbling—proceed to flush. Bad: Different sound or no sound—describe to a plumber.

Yes (popping/rumbling) No (creaking or other)

You can change your answer later.

Flush the tank

Sediment causes popping when water boils under it.

Turn off power or gas. Attach hose to drain valve. Open valve and run water until clear. Restore power or gas. Good: Noise reduced or gone—sediment was the cause. Bad: Noise persists—check expansion tank or call a plumber.

Done

Do you have an expansion tank?

A waterlogged expansion tank can cause noise.

Check for a small tank near the water heater. Tap it—should sound hollow at top, solid at bottom. Solid throughout: waterlogged—call a plumber. Hollow at top: OK—check water pressure.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Does the expansion tank sound waterlogged?

Tap the expansion tank. Hollow at top, solid at bottom—OK. Solid throughout—waterlogged; call a plumber to replace it.

Done

Is water pressure over 80 psi?

High pressure can cause banging or creaking.

Check pressure at an outdoor faucet with a gauge. Normal is 40–80 psi. Over 80—pressure-reducing valve may be needed; call a plumber.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why does my water heater make noise?
Sediment at the bottom of the tank traps water. When it boils, it pops and rumbles. Thermal expansion can cause creaking. A failing element can also make noise. Flush the tank first.
Can I fix a noisy water heater myself?
Yes. Flush the tank to remove sediment—this often stops popping and rumbling. Check the expansion tank if you have one. Call a plumber if the noise persists or is very loud.
When should I call a plumber for a noisy water heater?
Call a plumber if flushing does not reduce the noise, if the noise is loud and persistent, if you see rust or sediment in the hot water, or if the tank is over 10 years old and the noise started suddenly.

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