Probably normal: quiet heater sounds

Why this happens

Rheem says water heaters heat, cool and cycle on and off all day, which naturally causes operating sounds, and that quiet, brief sounds at regular intervals are generally nothing to worry about. Rheem lists ticking or clicking from heat traps or pipes expanding as temperatures change, humming in electric units when the heating elements are active, gurgling after heavy use, and soft ignition sounds on gas heaters. Bob Vila agrees that ticking from heat traps or check valves is normal.

What to do

1. Listen over a few days and note when the sound happens, for example after a shower or when the heater cycles on.
2. Look at the floor around the heater now and then for water, and do not open the heater's panels.
3. If the sound gets louder or longer, or turns into popping, rumbling, hissing, whistling or knocking, come back and choose that answer, and call a licensed plumber about it.
4. If you ever smell gas, or hear hissing near a gas line or the burner, leave and call 911 and your gas utility from outside.

When to stop. A gas smell, or hissing near a gas line or the burner, means leave and call 911 and your gas utility from outside. Water or steam from the relief valve pipe means keep away from the end of the pipe, never block it, and call a licensed plumber right away. Water under the tank, or a sound that turns loud, hissing or sizzling, means stop using the heater and call a licensed plumber. Smoke, flames, sparks or a burning smell near the heater mean leave the house and call 911 from outside.

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