I have a water heater that is 5 years old with one more year left on the warranty.The water heater is making an occasional noise like marbles knocking the top of the tank,some times very loud.What can that mean. I called the manufacture and thy say I should drain the tank.should'nt that be part of the warranty?


clydesdale

I called the manufacture and thy say I should drain the tank.should'nt that be part of the warranty? No! The maintenance is on the home owner. And you flush a water heater you don't just drain it. Is this a gas or electric heater? If it's a gas heater I have a answer and a solution for you so let me know and I'll be back. Regards, Tom

Tom,
Thanks for your prompt reply. I have a gas water heater.

clydesdale

Problem solved!
If you do not flush,(not drain) your heater on a regular basis it will build up mineral on the bottom of the tank. When the flame comes on it turns the water trapped under the mineral to steam and the steam escaping is what you hear.Let me show you how to flush your heater. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) and some white grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). The whole thing shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. You might want to consider cleaning the screens on your aerators if you have a high mineral buildup. If the problem still persists after you have flushed, you will have to drain the heater, remove the boiler drain and go up in the bottom of the tank with a wood or plastic rod, (not metal) and try to break up the mineral and flush it out. Good luck and thank you for rating my answer, Tom