Kitchen Gas Appliances - Wierd sound in hot water tank
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AngieL
12-17-01, 02:33 AM
Hello again Tom. I have a wierd problem. I have a 40 gallon AO Smith hot water tank that is about 10 years old. It seems to be working fine as far as heating the water goes. However, whenever I turn on the hot water anywhere in the house, it starts making a banging noise. I've likened it to a bird flying aroung inside of it. Does this sound like it's going to go anytime soon? A friend suggested that we "release the pressure" by opening the valve and emptying it a bit, but that didn't seem to work. Any ideas? Thanks!
Sharp Advice
12-17-01, 02:52 AM
Hi: Angie L
The noise your hearing is commonly refered to as "Purcolating."
Purcolating is water that is boiling in one area while the rest of the surrounding water isn't. Just like a coffee pot boils water.
The reason this is happening is because there is a buildup of sediment inside on the bottom of the tank. The heat from the flames are concentrated directly on the tanks bottom surface.
Do to the excessive rust and sediment buildup on the bottom of the tank, the heat cannot easily and rapidly spread thru the water to heat the water above the sediment. Thus causing the water at the bottom to "boil."
To help alleviate some of the problem and possibly quiet the noise, try flushing the tank. However, this may or may not work if the sediment is caked onto the tanks inside bottom.
Excerp from a archived posting with instructions, etc.
=============
TANK FLUSHING REASONS:
It is often recommended and also a good idea to FLUSH a water heater tank yearly. The reasoning behind this maintenance proceedure is to flush out sediment and rust particles that will naturally settle and accumulate on the bottom of the tank.
Sediment is found within almost all supplies of water more to some degree. Rust comes from the tanks interior, do to normal tank aging, iron pipes within the houses own water piping system, those of the main water supply from the streets piping system and other sources, depending on the water supply.
TANK FLUSHING METHOD:
To successfully accomplish this task, simply attach a common garden hose to the water heaters faucet. {Spigot} To flush the tank, there is NO need to turn off the gas or electrical supply nor open any hot water faucet within the house. Leave the inlet water supply valve ON also.
Simply attach the garden hose to the faucet or spigot, place the other end in a location where HOT water will not cause damage and simply OPEN the tanks faucet valve.
Allow the existing HOT water to flow out of the hoses end until it does so cleanly and clearly. Depending upon the amount of rust, sediment and debris inside the tank, this process may take less than one minute or several minutes to accomplish.
Once this is accomplished and your satisfied the exiting water is flowing cleanly, CLOSE the tanks faucet valve. Remove the garden hose from the faucet or spigot.
PRESTO!....The "FLUSHING" is completed....:D
Results and methods may vary. Always read your owners manual and closely follow the advice and procedures given in the manufacturers booklet or on labels attached to the tank.
Always follow all safety warnings!
Disclaimer:
The information above is offered to provide basic information and instructional procedures only. Methods and procedures apply only to tank type water heaters.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart....
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
========================================
The noise your hearing is commonly refered to as "Purcolating."
Purcolating is water that is boiling in one area while the rest of the surrounding water isn't. Just like a coffee pot boils water.
The reason this is happening is because there is a buildup of sediment inside on the bottom of the tank. The heat from the flames are concentrated directly on the tanks bottom surface.
Do to the excessive rust and sediment buildup on the bottom of the tank, the heat cannot easily and rapidly spread thru the water to heat the water above the sediment. Thus causing the water at the bottom to "boil."
To help alleviate some of the problem and possibly quiet the noise, try flushing the tank. However, this may or may not work if the sediment is caked onto the tanks inside bottom.
Excerp from a archived posting with instructions, etc.
=============
TANK FLUSHING REASONS:
It is often recommended and also a good idea to FLUSH a water heater tank yearly. The reasoning behind this maintenance proceedure is to flush out sediment and rust particles that will naturally settle and accumulate on the bottom of the tank.
Sediment is found within almost all supplies of water more to some degree. Rust comes from the tanks interior, do to normal tank aging, iron pipes within the houses own water piping system, those of the main water supply from the streets piping system and other sources, depending on the water supply.
TANK FLUSHING METHOD:
To successfully accomplish this task, simply attach a common garden hose to the water heaters faucet. {Spigot} To flush the tank, there is NO need to turn off the gas or electrical supply nor open any hot water faucet within the house. Leave the inlet water supply valve ON also.
Simply attach the garden hose to the faucet or spigot, place the other end in a location where HOT water will not cause damage and simply OPEN the tanks faucet valve.
Allow the existing HOT water to flow out of the hoses end until it does so cleanly and clearly. Depending upon the amount of rust, sediment and debris inside the tank, this process may take less than one minute or several minutes to accomplish.
Once this is accomplished and your satisfied the exiting water is flowing cleanly, CLOSE the tanks faucet valve. Remove the garden hose from the faucet or spigot.
PRESTO!....The "FLUSHING" is completed....:D
Results and methods may vary. Always read your owners manual and closely follow the advice and procedures given in the manufacturers booklet or on labels attached to the tank.
Always follow all safety warnings!
Disclaimer:
The information above is offered to provide basic information and instructional procedures only. Methods and procedures apply only to tank type water heaters.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart....
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
========================================
AngieL
12-17-01, 01:11 PM
Thanks Tom! I love this Forum!