My new house has a gas water heater. Never had one before. First time I turned the water on, I heard a very fast ticking noise in an area of the ceiling. It slowed, sped up, slowed, continued to sound like a slow drip or a fast tick. I also hear it in another area of the house in the ceiling when other faucets are turned on.
What is it? Not a leak, I pray! I see no water damage anywhere or spots on the ceiling, etc.
Could it be the pipes banging the ceiling? Each other? Heating up? I've read that. It's annoying but I can live with it but need to know water isn't leaking up there in the ceiling of my new house.
Help!

Knocking, popping, creaking and crackling pipes are a common complaint, especially in colder weather. I can tell you what's happening and take the mystery out of it but you're not going to like the repair. When a draw is made on a hot water line the line expands against a pipe strap next to a stud and when you drain hot water from your tub or shower it goes into a chase that is a little cooler then room temperature. The heat expands the pipe causing it to rub against the stud to which it is pipe strapped. This is the sound you hear. As it cools it contracts and the noise is heard again. To repair it you must tear open the walls and locate the pipe strap that's causing the problem and shim it tight. Most people when they learn what causes it just elect to live with it. Good luck and thank you for rating my answer. Tom

Fully agree with Tom. It is expansion and contraction of pipes. Sometimes it goes away with time or as Tom pointed out, you will get "used to it" and in few months you won't even notice it. Milo

This was that has puzzled me, too. I knew there were no leaks but could not for the life of me figure out the cause. Thanks for a detailed yet succinct answer.

Hi ghanson59 and welcome to The PLumbing Page. We
Re glad if we could help. More questions? We're as close as a click. Regards, Tom