Water Heaters - Sizzling Hot Water Heater
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kmlevin
11-25-04, 11:58 PM
I have a 9 year old gas hot water heater. I noticed today that it was making a drip/sizzle sound every 5 seconds or so (like drops of water sizzling on a hot pan). Sounds like a leak, but I did not see any water on the top or bottom of the heater. Should I replace it, or may this be something fixable? Thanks!
majakdragon
11-26-04, 08:06 AM
kmlevin, Welcome to the DIY Forums..
It is probably leaking at the bottom and the drops are landing on the burner or pilot. If it is the tank leaking it is time for a new tank. You cannot repair it. 9 years is getting into the end of the life of a water heater and if it's dripping then it will only get worse. I would recommend replacing it. Good luck.
It is probably leaking at the bottom and the drops are landing on the burner or pilot. If it is the tank leaking it is time for a new tank. You cannot repair it. 9 years is getting into the end of the life of a water heater and if it's dripping then it will only get worse. I would recommend replacing it. Good luck.
594tough
11-26-04, 08:31 AM
Back the truck up, Nellie! A sizzling water heater can be very normal.
Natural gas has a very high mositure content, so there is a lot of moisture in the combustion product. When a heater is first installed, or at times of high hot water usage, the bottom of the tank becomes quite cold, even more so at this time of year when the incoming water is much colder than in the summer. The hot moist flue gas hits this cold tank and Voila...condensation droplets form, which fall onto the hot burner components and sizzle.
So, if you notice this just when the burner is actually ON, it is likely normal. A leak would be more or less continuous and you would see wet on the botom of tank, etc.
Most WH manufacturer websites post this information prominently in their FAQ, because it comes up so often. Check www.rheem.com for example.
Natural gas has a very high mositure content, so there is a lot of moisture in the combustion product. When a heater is first installed, or at times of high hot water usage, the bottom of the tank becomes quite cold, even more so at this time of year when the incoming water is much colder than in the summer. The hot moist flue gas hits this cold tank and Voila...condensation droplets form, which fall onto the hot burner components and sizzle.
So, if you notice this just when the burner is actually ON, it is likely normal. A leak would be more or less continuous and you would see wet on the botom of tank, etc.
Most WH manufacturer websites post this information prominently in their FAQ, because it comes up so often. Check www.rheem.com for example.