Why Does My Water Heater Makes Noise When Toilet Is Flushed
Do you hear strange noises from your water heater when the toilet is flushed? Water heaters are really important for usage in the shower, dishwashing, toilet, or anything else that needs water. So, if the water heater makes noise when toilet is flushed, this can indicate some serious issues with the internal mechanism.
A hot water heater may generate noises for a variety of reasons, not all of which require urgent attention. Many just require simple fixes, such as cleaning deposits, whereas some issues can lead to serious, expensive repairs.
Thus, if you are concerned about weird noises coming from the water heater when you flush the toilet, make sure to read this guide. Today we will discuss all the probable causes along with their solutions.
What Causes Noise in the Water Heater When the Toilet is Flushed
If your water makes a noise when the toilet is flushed, there’s a high chance of a problem with the water heater. The water heater making noises is not a normal issue. However, with time as it ages, it is common to show problems like this.
So, if your hot water heater makes noise when flushing toilet, take a look at the table below for the summary of the reasons causing it, along with the solutions.
Reasons | Solutions |
Sediment or deposits build up | Flush and clean the tank |
Loose water heater element | Tighten the water heater element |
Condensation | Fix the leaks |
Damaged Anode rod | Replace the rod |
Moving pipes | Secure the pipes |
We have seen the common reasons causing noise in the water heater when flushing the toilet. Below, we will look into these problems in further detail.
Sediments or Deposits Build-Up
Sediments and deposit buildup is the most common reason causing noise in water tanks. Accumulation of Sediment or minerals is usually the cause of a water heater that knocks and makes a gurgling noise.
Hot water tanks frequently suffer sediment build-up, particularly if you reside in a region where hard water is common. As silt builds up, water is trapped. Since this water is surrounded by particles that carry heat and force pressure to rise, sound is produced.
It is easy to clean deposits by yourself. Just simply flush the water tank using a long hose and clean any remaining sediments using a cleaning solution.
Loose Water Heater Element
This issue only occurs in electric water heaters, which come with a water heater element. If this water heater element gets loose, you can hear noises inside the water heater when you flush the toilet.
An electric water heater that buzzes might have a loosened heating element from excessive use or improper assembly.
So, to fix this problem, you will have to check the heating element for any damage; if it is damaged, you should replace it. However, if there are no signs of damage, simply tighten the element properly and then check again for any noises.
Condensation
The burner of your gas water heater likely has condensation on it. Whenever it falls over the burners, this will generate a sizzling noise. It is quite common for gas burners to have condensations, but if the amount is too much, there can be leaks inside the water tank.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do yourself if there’s a leak in the water heater. You will need to call a professional plumber to take a look and fix the issue for you.
Damaged Anode Rod
Anode rods are one of the most important elements for any water heater. Most anode rods are disposable, meaning they are made to rust in place of the coating of your hot water system.
So, over years of usage, these rods can get damaged, causing noises inside the water tank when you flush the toilet.
There is only one fix to this issue; you cannot repair the damaged rods; instead, you will need to replace them.
Moving Pipes
When you hear a ticking noise from the water heater during toilet flushing, it means the pipes are not properly secured. The anchors or pipe straps can be loose, causing vibrations in the pipes when water flows through them during the flushing of the toilet.
If the pipe straps are damaged, you can tighten them up or replace them to solve the issue.
You May Like This video Too!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it normal for a water heater to make noise?
Your water heater may produce some sound while operating, which is expected. However, if the noise continues frequently, it indicates that there is a problem.
What are the signs that your hot water heater is going out?
Is it normal for a water heater to make noise?
Your water heater may produce some sound while operating, which is expected. However, if the noise continues frequently, it indicates that there is a problem.
What are the signs that your hot water heater is going out?
Over time, water heaters might get damaged to the point where you need to replace them. Common indications that a water heater is failing include leaks, abrupt changes in water temperature, a reduction in water flow, and many others.
Does the hot water heater affect the toilet?
The toilet won’t be harmed by hot water by itself. The heat won’t harm your toilet, and it should keep operating properly. So, hot water doesn’t affect the toilet in any way.
What does a bad water heater sound like?
Most bad electric water heaters make sizzling, groaning, and tapping noises. They are frequently ascribed to silt accumulation at the tank’s base. But there can also be other problems that need to be dealt with quickly.
Can a toilet flush valve cause a water hammer?
Water hammering that happens after flushing a toilet might be caused by a malfunctioning fill valve that doesn’t shut off entirely or by a fill valve that closes quickly.
Conclusion
Water heaters are one of the most important components of our homes, but when they start making noises, especially during toilet flushing, things can get annoying. So, today in this guide, we have discussed all the reasons and solutions for it.
By now, we believe we have been able to answer your question: why does my water heater make noise when I flush the toilet? When you start hearing noises in a water heater, it is important to check it properly.
Not noticing and solving the issues in time can lead to some bigger problems resulting in whole heater replacement, which can be quite expensive.
You Can Also Read:
- Is Water Heater Exhaust Pipe Very Hot? Know Reasons With Solutions
- Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Noise: Know How To Get Rid Of Them
- What To Do If The Water Heater Status Light Blinking Green
- Honeywell Hot Water Heater No Status Light: 5 Possible Reasons And Solutions