AboutDana Bostick Expertise Pretty much any residential plumbing questions. Note: I live and work in Southern California. We do not as a rule use boilers, hot water or steam heating systems or wells so my knowledge in those areas is limited. There are others here that can probably answer those questions better.
"We all is city folk" out here! What is a "well" LOL
Experience Licensed General Contractor with Plumbing, HVAC and Electrical sub-licenses
Question Hi Dana, I have an older Jackson 50 gallon electric hot water heater. It suddenly started making a relatively loud metallic pinging sound that repeats after several minutes. It is not the same bubbling sound that I had in Pittsburgh [we now live in Ocean City, Md with very soft water] indicating accumulation in tank bottom. This is as if one snapped a rubber band with a metal end at the tank and seems as if it comes from somewhere around the middle of the tank. There are no leaks and other than this sound heater operates fine. The only other thing that may be associated that was noticed by my wife is she heard what sounded like the water heating whirring [water heating I think] which has not been noticed before. We just had our family visiting which was 11 people in home taking showers if that could be related. Anyway, that is about it and would appreciate any comments. Thanks, Jack
Answer Hi Jack,
Water heaters as a rule last about 10 years on average. The soft water helps to mitigate the deterioration from scale build up.
This sounds like the heating elements are making noise. They will build up scale faster like any heating element will and the expansion and contraction as it heats will sometimes make a pinging sound. The heavy use may have strained the heater a bit.
I guess as long as it's still working there is nothing really to do. Changing out the elements might stop the noise. There are two of them, usually 4500 watts each, located under the small cover doors in the outer case. Changing them can be a chore, they are not easy to get out. It takes a special large socket wrench. And, of course, you need to drain the heater.
Caution, be sure the power is really off if you try to do this. DO NOT drain it with the power on or turn it on before the heater has refilled all the way. It will blow the new elements like a flash bulb! they must be submerged. These are 220 volt systems.
