Why does the gas water heater hum, click, whistle and crack? Search for causes and their elimination

click fraud protection

The presence of a gas water heater in a house or apartment solves the issue of hot water supply. It is easy to use and generally does not cause problems for users. Therefore, the situation when a water heater clicks, whistles, or pops, to put it mildly, is unpleasant, do you agree? But what to do in this case?

In this article, we will analyze the main reasons why the gas water heater buzzes, as well as makes other extraneous sounds. Let's talk about when it is necessary to immediately call a specialist, and in what cases you can restore the device's performance yourself.

The content of the article:

  • How does a gas water heater work?
  • Causes of various noises and their elimination
    • Problem # 1 - Power On Power Clap
    • Problem # 2 - the speaker makes a loud noise and buzz
    • Problem # 3 - there is a crackling sound when the device is operating
    • Problem # 4 - the gas water heater whistles
    • Problem # 5 - the device clicks and does not turn on
  • Responsibility for unauthorized replacement
  • Conclusions and useful video on the topic
instagram viewer

How does a gas water heater work?

To understand if there is any threat from extraneous sounds emitted by the speaker, you need to consider all possible reasons. If the column is old, there will likely be more options. In addition, each model of water heating equipment may have its own characteristic features. But still, the principle of their work is similar. Therefore, first you need to figure out how the gas water heater works and whether you can fix the problem yourself.

Any modern water heater consists of a rectangular box and a gas and water supply to it. Cold water enters the device and passes through the radiator compartment, where it is heated using a special burner.

As soon as you open the hot tap, a valve opens in the device, which is designed to supply gas to the system. It enters the combustion chamber through a special ignition burner and the process of direct heating of the heat exchange element through which the water passes begins.

Carbon monoxide, which is generated after natural combustion, is discharged into the street through chimney channel. The diversion is carried out naturally or forcibly (turbocharged columns).

Gas column device

To determine and eliminate the cause of a malfunction in the gas column, it is necessary to study its structure and the principle of operation of all elements of the device

Where not chimney pipes, and its construction is not possible, use turbocharged type of water heater. The removal of combustion products is carried out using a fan additionally installed in the device. All exhaust gases are forced out into the street through a coaxial pipe. The design of this chimney also provides for the intake of fresh air required for combustion from the outside. Such models of a water heater are made with a closed combustion chamber.

All gas water heaters have an emergency shutdown system. As soon as the system detects some kind of malfunction, the water heater will stop working.

Automatic protection is triggered under the following conditions:

  • weak draft in the ventilation duct or chimney;
  • low fire in the burner that heats the heat exchanger;
  • when the water pressure decreases, the system also automatically turns off;
  • with excessive heating of the copper heat exchanger.

Let's take a closer look at the causes of malfunctions in the operation of a gas water heater.

Causes of various noises and their elimination

When operating a gas appliance, you can hear a specific noise or crackle. To understand why your gas water heater is making noise, and to identify the cause, first examine the appliance and listen.

As a rule, each gas appliance makes noise during operation. This happens when gas is burned, which is supplied under pressure to the combustion chamber.

Gas water heater in the interior

The causes of breakdowns in modern gas flowing water heaters can be very different. Some of them can be eliminated on their own, while repairing others will require a call from a specialist.

In a poorly ventilated room, these sounds may be heard more strongly. No worries. These sound waves can also be formed during the supply of water, and the crackling that comes from the speaker, occurs when exposed to an open flame on metal elements or occurs during ignition from piezoelectric element.

When dispensing hot water, slight vibrations may occur. They are formed as the fluid flows through the system. To reduce the vibration level, it is enough to adjust the water pressure using a valve. Having chosen the desired valve position, the noise will disappear.

Next, we will look at the most common problems and determine what causes the various types of noise and how to deal with it.

Problem # 1 - Power On Power Clap

If you hear a specific loud bang when you turn on hot water, while the column can vibrate and vibrate strongly, then most likely the gas supply system in the working compartment is faulty. This is due to the accumulation of a large amount of a combustible mixture, which does not have time to catch fire in time. The accumulated gas creates excess pressure and as soon as it ignites, a small explosion occurs with a characteristic loud bang.

Such circumstances can lead to the destruction of the chimney structure, the column itself, or to more extensive destruction. Therefore, you should immediately find out the cause of the problem and eliminate it. It is best to contact a specialist service gas companythat diagnose and help quickly fix the problem.

Gas column burner

If the gas column does not work and does not ignite, then the gas burner may be faulty - to solve problems and resumption of burner performance, it is necessary to clean the nozzles from soot and dust

If you want to try to cope with the task yourself, then you can try to inspect the condition of the parts inside the device.

For this you need:

  • shut off the supply of fuel and water to the system;
  • remove the upper part of the gas column box;
  • if traces of debris, dust and soot are visible, then it is necessary to clean the surface well;
  • if there is a lot of soot inside, most likely it is necessary to clean the nozzles as well;
  • further inspect the condition of the electrodes, clean or replace if necessary.

Process cleaning is quite time consuming and complex. Therefore, if you are not sure that you can repair the equipment yourself, it is better to leave this venture. Contact the gas service or specialists so as not to endanger your life and the health of others.

Problem # 2 - the speaker makes a loud noise and buzz

Usually this phenomenon is associated with a weak draft in a chimney or ventilation shaft. To find out whether the thrust is in order or not, it is enough to light a match or a lighter and bring it to the hole.

Traction check

With proper operation and normal draft, the flame will immediately begin to draw inward, if the flame has not deviated, then it is necessary to start cleaning the chimney from soot and dirt

Increased noise will also be heard if ventilation is insufficient. This usually happens when installing double-glazed windows. They make natural ventilation of the room impossible. In this case, it is necessary to take care of the modernization of the ventilation duct or install supply valve on the windows or into the wall.

Problem # 3 - there is a crackling sound when the device is operating

If you hear something cracking in your gas column, then most likely the nozzles inside the device are dirty. Gas is supplied through them and a flame is formed that heats the heat exchanger. To find out and clean the nozzles, you need to disassemble the equipment in the sequence described above.

Connecting the speaker to communications

If the column cracks and does not ignite, then it is necessary to check the performance of the batteries, they may have just run out - if necessary, replace old batteries to resume work gas boiler

And now let's figure out why the household gas water heater clicks.

So, in speaker models with electric igniter, there may be several reasons for the crackle, namely:

  • Batteries. Models with an electric type of ignition, as a rule, run on batteries. As soon as the batteries lose their capacity, the gas does not ignite immediately or does not burn at all. And the clicks come from the piezoelectric element, which will work until the flame ignites. To fix such a problem, it is quite simple replace two batteries.
  • Failure of the touch sensorcontrolling the gas flow. Condensation often oxidizes the metal of the sensor. In this case, you can try to purify the oxides. But for the correct operation of the device, you need to buy a new sensor.
  • Deformation of the candle. If the wick has moved, then this can serve as another reason why the heating device does not work. As soon as you put the candle in its original position, the flame will light up.
  • In some cases, the retarder ball may not work - ignition mechanism. The most likely cause will be a stuck ball. The simplest solution is to remove the product and shake it to free it or otherwise clear the jam.

Loud hum and vibrations may indicate that the connecting gas equipment It was a mistake. To find out the reason, check how the gas and water pipes are connected. Maybe somewhere you need to tighten the nuts. In addition, loud noises and vibrations can be caused by depressurization of the duct. Correct the problem and the noise will stop.

If the gas burner, which heats up the heat exchanger, is displaced to the side, this can contribute to incomplete combustion of the fuel. You may smell gas when doing this. Return the burner to its original position and the noise will disappear.

Burner testing

Checking the operation of the gas burner, and eliminating the malfunction by replacing the ignition wick

Problem # 4 - the gas water heater whistles

Whistling sounds can be heard from different parts of the gas appliance and the gas network. Most likely, the reason why the household gas water heater whistles is the junction of the pipes. This means that a gas or water pipe is making noise. First you need to determine where the whistle is coming from.

Then it will be easier to figure out why this is happening:

  1. First of all, you need to shut off one of the inlet pipes. For example, shut off the gas pipe. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the reasons noise and vibration of the gas pipe.
  2. Next, try opening hot water.
  3. If the whistling has not stopped, and has become even louder, then you need to examine the water supply system. Most often, this problem occurs with prolonged use of the equipment. In the process of heating the water, a hard limescale (scale) forms inside the heat exchanger. This helps to reduce the diameter of the holes, thereby making it difficult for water to pass into the system. To fix the problem, you need to clean the heat exchanger with a special solution or replace it with a new one.
  4. If, when opening the tap, the column stopped whistling, then the matter is in the gas supply system. The flame control valve may be out of order. To check, try reducing the gas flow. If the whistle has not diminished, then it is necessary to disassemble and clean the device.

To prevent the accumulation of scale in the heat exchanger, experts recommend installing water filters at the cold water inlet. In this way, the hardness of the water can be reduced and the service life of the heat exchanger can be increased. The cost of a new one is rather big, so you need to monitor its condition.

So, if you notice that the water pressure is very low, then most likely your filters are clogged or the heat exchanger is clogged.

Cleaning the heat exchanger

If the gas water heater makes noise and vibrates, and the water pressure in the tap is very weak, then a large amount of scale has probably accumulated inside the copper heat exchanger. But the radiator can be cleaned at home

Problem # 5 - the device clicks and does not turn on

If, when hot water is turned on, the column starts to click and does not turn on, then the reason may be a failed fan. It is designed to discharge combustion products into a ventilation pipe. Usually, such models are installed in apartments of multi-storey buildings, and houses where it is not possible to build a chimney or a ventilation shaft.

If the fan is faulty, you will hear the piezoelectric element click, but the gas supply valve will not work, so the device will not work.

Reasons for the malfunction:

  • Fan blades clogged with dirt and debris. To find out the cause of a breakdown or to clean a part, you need to inspect the device. To do this, remove the protective cover and look at the condition of the fan. If it is clogged with dust and debris, clean it and, if necessary, lubricate it with special oil.
  • Burnt winding. If the fan does not show signs of life, then, most likely, the gearbox winding has burned out, in this case it is necessary to replace the device with a serviceable one. Also, stopping can occur from oxidation of the contacts. Check and, if necessary, strip the connection pins.

If you cannot find or fix the malfunction of your column, then do not waste time and call specialists who will take all the necessary steps to solve the problem.

Fan dismantled

To find out if the fan, which brings combustion products to the street, is working, it is necessary to remove the protective casing of the gas column and inspect the turbine

Responsibility for unauthorized replacement

It should be remembered that boiler replacement, columns and other gas appliances in an apartment of a multi-storey building or in the private sector, should only be carried out qualified employees who have official permission to work with gas and gas equipment. You can also contact the specialists of the state gas service. Self-repair or connection of equipment is not prohibited by law, but you must understand the full responsibility of such actions.

If you independently interfere with the gas supply system and insert into it without the permission of the gas service, you will bear full responsibility in accordance with the federal law adopted in 2018 No. 229-FZ "On amendments to Article 215.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and Articles 150 and 151 CPC RF ".

A fine is provided for such violations in the amount of up to 80 thousand rubles. Also, the offender can be punished in the form of correctional labor for up to 360 hours. Another offender can be sent to correctional labor for up to one year.

In addition, they can be sentenced to restraint of liberty or its complete deprivation of liberty for 2 years. In the event that, after independent intervention in the gas system, an accident occurs, as a result of which people have suffered. Then the offender will be punished with the same fine, correctional labor up to five years, and even imprisonment for up to 8 years.

The gas water heater is buzzing

In the event that you do not have the opportunity to carry out repairs yourself, then contact the specialists, do not forget that working with gas is very dangerous not only for you, but also for the people around you.

To replace gas equipment, you must have a special permit. If an accident occurs and people are injured, the perpetrator will incur an administrative penalty upon initial involvement, in accordance with Article 7.19. Administrative Code of the Russian Federation in the form of a fine.

If a violation is re-identified by the same person, the offender will be prosecuted in accordance with the adopted federal law No. 229-FZ "On amendments to Article 215.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and to Articles 150 and 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation (UPK RF) ".

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video on how to troubleshoot a gas column. A detailed overview of disassembling and repairing a gas water heater at home:

In the event of any type of malfunction, as a result of which the geyser will hum and crackle, you can try to fix the breakdown yourself. However, there is no guarantee that you will not damage the device. Therefore, the best option would be to contact the masters for servicing the geyser.

If your column is still under warranty, then do not hesitate to contact the specialists. They will eliminate the cause of the malfunction free of charge and repair or replace the necessary parts of the equipment..

Do you want to supplement our material with useful information on eliminating the causes of excessive noise and crackling of the gas water heater? Or do you want to clarify a couple of points on the diagnosis? Ask your questions to our experts, leave comments, participate in the discussion - the feedback form is located below.

As with the drain cylinder various ways

As with the drain cylinder various waysWater Heaters And Boilers

The question of the theory of how to drain the water from the water heater, it seems very simple and elementary. However, in practice immediately cope with the task quickly and correctly can not ma...

Read More
How to choose electric boilers for water: a review of the selection criteria

How to choose electric boilers for water: a review of the selection criteriaWater Heaters And Boilers

Shortages of hot water - is one of the "good old tradition" of domestic utilities. Many apartment owners solve the problem dramatically - refuse services and install their own electric storage wate...

Read More
How to choose a water-heater: what is better + top brands

How to choose a water-heater: what is better + top brandsWater Heaters And Boilers

Agree, nice when the tap is always flowing hot water, regardless of its filing municipal utility companies. disruptions problem will help solve the instantaneous water heater installation. But the ...

Read More
Instagram story viewer