Noises in the home are not uncommon. Doors and floors squeak, pipes occasionally clank, and windows may vibrate with the zoom of a passing car. These are all normal sounds that occur from time to time due to compression and expansion (at least that’s what we tell ourselves while sitting at home alone watching the latest horror flick). However, there are some noises that are not so common that might indicate something may be wrong. Here is a list of 3 noises you should listen for and some possible solutions for each.
1. BUBBLING OR CRACKLING SOUND COMING FROM THE WATER HEATER
Gas water heaters are basically large boiling pots of water. They hold water in the tank which then gets heated by a burner located at the bottom. Thousands of gallons of water are heated year-round so it’s only natural for it to build up sediment at the bottom of the tank. However, If your water heater is not properly maintained and drained at least once a year, the layer of sediment will get thicker and thicker and will eventually start boiling along with the water which means your water heater will be working twice as hard to heat up. Hence the bubbling or crackling sounds.
THE SOLUTION: Bubbling or crackling sounds are a good indication that a water heater may be on its way out, but before you start looking into a possible replacement, you should try doing some routine maintenance first. By draining the water tank using the drain valve located at the bottom, it may help extend the life of your water heater.
2. CONSISTENT HISSING OR WHISTLING SOUND AROUND AN APPLIANCE
Hissing sounds are a major red flag!! Your house is screaming “fix this now!”. If you hear hissing sounds and smell gas it is a clear indication of a gas leak which can lead to a very dangerous situation.
THE SOLUTION: If you hear a hissing or whistling sound and/or smell gas get out of the home right away and call So Cal Gas at 1-800-427-2200. They will safely shut off your gas line. Once the gas has been shut off, call your trusty Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer Plumber! This is definitely a repair you should leave to the experts.
3. TRICKLING WATER SOUND OR WATER RUNNING WHEN WATER IS NOT IN USE
Water or trickling sounds in the home are an indication that there may be a busted pipe somewhere inside the walls or floors of your home. Water leaks can be very costly if they aren’t taken care of right away. So don’t ignore it! Water soaked walls and floors can lead to mold which can be very hazardous to your family’s health.
THE SOLUTION: Shut down the main water line to your home. This will help in two ways. First, it will help you determine whether the sound is being caused by a busted pipe or not. If the sound goes away when the main water line is shut down then you have a water leak. Second, it will stop any further water from flowing through your pipes which means less water damage in your home. Now that you’ve figured out what’s wrong, it’s time to call Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer so that we can help you locate the leak, fix it and get your water back up and running fast!