water heater noise

[raucnd]

I have a question and hope someone has an answer. Out water heater started making a noise, when you are drawing water. It works fine, just makes a whining or humming noise. Any ideas why this is happening?

[richfaa]

Gurgling, popping, snapping and boiling sounds are normal..don't know about what you describe.

[madeforeachother]

Check past forums on this subject, but our experience has shown that the noise is from mineral deposits on the heating element. The deposits are from hard water and we fixed the problem with just adding an inline filter on your water hose.They can be purchased at any RV store or large Retail store.They run between 20-30 dollars and we swap them out every 4 months.

[raucnd]

Appreciate the responses, it is a new noise, started about two months ago. Not the normal gurgling, popping you describe, rather a constant humming while you are drawing hot water and it does it whether it is running on gas or electric. I drained the tank and cleaned the lime out of the bottom and it still makes the noise. Also, the heating element isn't on and we have a water softener.
As I stated, it is working fine, just thought someone out there might have the answer to this new noise.

[Ozz]

Sounds like maybe the water is passing through a partial obstruction, reducing it's flow a little, maybe the check valve??

[Bill and Lisa]

I hesitate to ask this but I have done dummer things. Any chance it is the noise from the pump itself? Like all previous times you were on city water and this is the first time you are using the pump and you "hear" them pump running when you draw water?

Please don't take offense, but I had to ask....

Bill

[raucnd]

Thanks again, you may be right about the restriction. I'll check that out. Bill, good thought but we aren't using the pump and it makes the same noise, pump or no pump. Back to the drawing board.

[mobilrvn]

It is probably the hot water outlet valve at the top of the hot water tank. It is a cheap plastic one. Replace it with a brass one. Be careful that the tank is refilled fully before the electric heater is turn back on. Know that the technician fired ours when he change the valve, but we couldn't prove it. There is a thread on this at the end of Nov or beginning of Dec '06.