noise at top element of electric water heater

[mikedudl]

Can anyone tell me what causes the hissing, gurgling sound at the heating element (top) when the tank (full of cold water) is being initially heated after both top and bottom elements have been replaced with new ones? Is this a release of gases that would be altered by a change in water pressure? I know this sounds flaky to ask, but we are trying to solve a problem at our church water heater and we suspect a leak in the pipes, under the slab, on the downstream side of the heater. When we shut off the cold water supply valve just ahead of the heater we get the sounds from the top element and when we have the valve open the sound goes away. I feel the flow of cold water over the top element is preventing it from gaining any ground as far as heating.

[DUNBAR PLUMBER]

Best way to determine a leak in your potable water system is to gauge the meter that serves the church, shut everything down in the building to make sure nothing is running, and then go out to the meter and see if the small, red triangle is spinning.


That dial indicator will let you know if there is water passing through the meter or not, which will tell you if there is a leak or not.


The hissing sound I have found to be buildup on the element itself from years of use. Some get pretty nasty looking after the anode rod disappears from the tank.


Calcium buildup is usually what it is.