Water Heaters - Noise from the cold inlet pipes
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mommafoofoo
05-20-07, 08:59 PM
I am a first-time homeowner of an old house that has been neglected, and I would appreciate any advice you could give.
Our house was built in 1950, the electric water heater looks like it is 15-20 years old. We have well water, which is slightly hard.
Last week I noticed a sort of knocking sound coming intermittently from the water heater and decided to flush it, since I assumed that no one had done so for years. The sound went away.
Today, the sound started again and I was able to investigate more closely because it was constant rather than intermittent. The sound is actually the copper cold inlet pipes rattling. The only way to get the sound to stop is to shut off the cold pipe- the sound happens whether the power to the heater is on or not, so I assume it is not related to heating.
I tried flushing again, and interestingly, when the hose was attached, the drain valve open and the cold water pipe open, the sound disappeared. But as soon as I closed the drain valve, the sound came back.
I suspect I will just need to buy a new heater, but will I need to replace the cold pipes too? Is there anything I can do in the time from now and when we can install a new WH? Can I keep using it with the sound or should I keep it all shut down as it is now?
Thanks in advance.
Our house was built in 1950, the electric water heater looks like it is 15-20 years old. We have well water, which is slightly hard.
Last week I noticed a sort of knocking sound coming intermittently from the water heater and decided to flush it, since I assumed that no one had done so for years. The sound went away.
Today, the sound started again and I was able to investigate more closely because it was constant rather than intermittent. The sound is actually the copper cold inlet pipes rattling. The only way to get the sound to stop is to shut off the cold pipe- the sound happens whether the power to the heater is on or not, so I assume it is not related to heating.
I tried flushing again, and interestingly, when the hose was attached, the drain valve open and the cold water pipe open, the sound disappeared. But as soon as I closed the drain valve, the sound came back.
I suspect I will just need to buy a new heater, but will I need to replace the cold pipes too? Is there anything I can do in the time from now and when we can install a new WH? Can I keep using it with the sound or should I keep it all shut down as it is now?
Thanks in advance.
CSG
05-20-07, 09:32 PM
There should be a date on the sticker attached to the heater. A manufacture date. If not it might be part of the serial number. Might be 012695AE7593 etc meaning the first 6 would be January 26th 1995.
Could there be other causes of the sound? Sure...could be something inside the heater...like a dip tube or something.
I would start at what you know is a problem and work your way to the rest after that.
The heater is old. I always recommend replacement when it passes the 12-15 year mark as thats when they tend to start having problems. So i would say go ahead and work on replacing it (assuming its 15-20 years old) and see if that fixes your problem (since you need a new water heater anyways) and if sound persists go from there.
Could there be other causes of the sound? Sure...could be something inside the heater...like a dip tube or something.
I would start at what you know is a problem and work your way to the rest after that.
The heater is old. I always recommend replacement when it passes the 12-15 year mark as thats when they tend to start having problems. So i would say go ahead and work on replacing it (assuming its 15-20 years old) and see if that fixes your problem (since you need a new water heater anyways) and if sound persists go from there.