Strange noises coming from your water heater are never a good sign. But, before you panic, we want to reassure you that when your water heater is making a hissing sound, you still have time to call a plumber and have repairs done. Here are four common reasons your water heater is hissing and what you can do to fix the problem:
Your Water Heater Tank Has a Leak
If you hear a constant hissing or sizzling sound, this could mean your water heater tank has a small leak. When the tank does have a leak, there is often a puddle of water beneath the water heater. If you notice these two signs together, get in touch with your plumber. They will inspect the tank and recommend repairs or replacements.
Condensation Falling on Hot Surfaces
Have you noticed the hissing sound mainly occurs after you take a hot shower or run the dishwasher? This is a fairly common occurrence. When you use a large amount of hot water, the tank is refilled with cold water, which causes condensation to form on the outside of the tank. The condensation then rolls down and comes into contact with hot surfaces, like the area near the burner, producing steam and hissing.
Buildup of Sediment
Water has a variety of minerals that often get deposited into the bottom of the water heater tank. As the sediment builds up, water bubbles and boils, releasing steam and producing a hissing sound. If sediment is your problem, you may also notice rumbling or popping noises.
When your water heater is suffering from a sediment buildup, a professional can come to your home and flush out your water heater. During this process, they’ll drain the tank, remove the sediment, and refill the tank.
Water Heater Temperature Is Too High
Your water heater is equipped with a temperature and pressure relief valve to prevent the tank’s internal temperature from becoming too high. Whenever the temperature inside the hot water heater becomes too high, the T&P valve will release some of the pressure, which creates a hissing sound.
The temperatures and pressures that are considered too high depend on the model of your water heater. Generally, the T&P valve is activated when water temperature exceeds 210 degrees Fahrenheit or when the pressure levels in the tank exceed 150 PSI.
If your T&P valve is why your water heater is hissing, a plumber will need to inspect the tank to see why it is producing dangerous temperature and pressure levels. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of the temperature gauge being set too high. Other times, there could be another, more severe problem. Once the professional finds the problem, they can fix the issue and replace the T&P valve.
Stop Your Hissing Water Heater With Curtis Total Service
A hissing water heater could simply need a few adjustments, or it could require more complex repairs. Whatever is causing the problem, our specialists can get your water heater to stop hissing with exceptional water heater repair in Bethlehem, PA.
For more information on our water heater services or our other plumbing services, reach out to our team today!