Water Heaters - Water heater noises
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Concretemasonry
10-15-09, 10:24 PM
I have gas fired 40 gallon A.O. Smith water heater (Model KGL 40-870) that has some pulsating or rumbling noises at times.
A know how dangerous a water heater can be (I don't want to wake up and find it in a nearby tree since the current altitude record is over 300'). When I hear the noise, I feel the vent stack and it it is not hot, but cool or warm, but the burner does not seem to be on. I have no idea of the age, but the serial number is AD81-35-45-870. Could it possibly be a 1981 heater?
It was there when I bought the townhouse. I last drained it 1 to 2 years ago (a little late as usual).
I shut it down to pilot just in case.
Any ideas?
If it is dead, I will just call a plumber immediately and get it replaced, but I need some thoughts from those that know more than me.
Thanx in advance.
Dick
A know how dangerous a water heater can be (I don't want to wake up and find it in a nearby tree since the current altitude record is over 300'). When I hear the noise, I feel the vent stack and it it is not hot, but cool or warm, but the burner does not seem to be on. I have no idea of the age, but the serial number is AD81-35-45-870. Could it possibly be a 1981 heater?
It was there when I bought the townhouse. I last drained it 1 to 2 years ago (a little late as usual).
I shut it down to pilot just in case.
Any ideas?
If it is dead, I will just call a plumber immediately and get it replaced, but I need some thoughts from those that know more than me.
Thanx in advance.
Dick
ZL700
10-16-09, 07:27 AM
April 1981
Time to replace before she blows
Time to replace before she blows
Concretemasonry
10-16-09, 12:46 PM
The problem is over and done.
When I looked at the serial number it seemed be over 28 years old and decided to replace it.
I called a local plumbing contractor at 9:00AM and the owner's 23 year year-old son showed up at 10:00 AM and asked if he should take off his before coming in (a good sign).
He verified that it was sediment and the heater was very old and abused through the years. They had a 40 gallon A. O. Smith on hand and replaced the old unit. - Why switch brands?
The contractor also "rooted" out my floor drain, which apparently had never been done by previous owners. He also corrected a few minor venting problems and was out by 12:00 after he washed off the iron stains on the driveway from the old heater draining.
I probably should have done it sooner, but never worried too much about the age of the unit. It was painless and easy. - Ever tried to get rid of and old water heater (DIY route) without a truck?
Thanx for the opinions.
Dick
When I looked at the serial number it seemed be over 28 years old and decided to replace it.
I called a local plumbing contractor at 9:00AM and the owner's 23 year year-old son showed up at 10:00 AM and asked if he should take off his before coming in (a good sign).
He verified that it was sediment and the heater was very old and abused through the years. They had a 40 gallon A. O. Smith on hand and replaced the old unit. - Why switch brands?
The contractor also "rooted" out my floor drain, which apparently had never been done by previous owners. He also corrected a few minor venting problems and was out by 12:00 after he washed off the iron stains on the driveway from the old heater draining.
I probably should have done it sooner, but never worried too much about the age of the unit. It was painless and easy. - Ever tried to get rid of and old water heater (DIY route) without a truck?
Thanx for the opinions.
Dick
594tough
10-16-09, 03:03 PM
Definitely did the right thing to replace that unit. The rumbling sound you probably heard was that an actual blanket of mineral deposits forms on the bottom of the tank. This insulates the water from the hot bottom. The small amounts of water under the blanket overheat, boil, and steam bubbles burb up the mineral layer. This is the sound.