My 10 year old gas 50 gallon water heater makes lots of bubbling noise, especially after the shower is run and then a nearby sink is used. The noise occurs only when the hot valve on the sink is first opened, sounds like huge bubbles going up the length of the heater. Anyone know why this is happening and what the fix is ?
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Have you been giving it the annual blow-down to get the crud out of the bottom? Hook up a hose to the bib on the side near the bottom, and turn it on all the way and let it run until it runs clean. The crud acts as insulation between the bulk of the water and the bottom of the tank, which can allow hot spots to form on the bottom. Though most of the tank is well below boiling, you can have small steam bubbles form in the wet crud at these hot spots. This happens when a valve is opened, thereby releasing pressure on the tank and allowing the steam to expand. Or at least that's what I was told causes it.....
-- J.S.
John-
good points, no I haven't drained the beast, been in the house 2 years and too many other projects, but I'll give it a try.
thanks
Your 10 year old water heater is giving you a warning that some Friday night it's gonna go away.
Might as well do it now when you can pick the day.
Joe H