What you can safely check first
Popping on its own isn't an emergency. You don't need to shut anything off or call tonight. A couple of checks help you plan.
- Check the label on the heater for its age. That helps you decide between maintenance and planning a replacement.
- Look around the base of the heater for water or rust.
- Notice whether you're running out of hot water sooner than you used to.
What might be behind it
More than one thing can cause this, which is why the plumber finds the cause first.
Sediment in the tank. Minerals settle at the bottom of the tank. Water trapped under that layer boils as the burner or element heats it, and that's the popping.
Scale on an electric element. On an electric heater, scale on the heating element makes it crackle and hiss, and it can wear the element out early.
A tank near the end of its life. On an older heater, heavy sediment, popping, and running out of hot water sooner than before are signs the tank is wearing out.
How we fix it
We inspect the tank and heating components before recommending a flush. Sediment removal may help a sound tank, while a worn part or deteriorating tank needs a different response. We explain the condition and any proposed repair before work starts.
Depending on the cause, the relevant services are water heater flush and tune-up, water heater repair or water heater replacement.
Where we fix it
Our plumbing shop is at 910 Cable St in Conroe. We also serve the surrounding towns. Check our plumbing service area and ZIP codesbefore requesting a visit.