Why Your Water Heater Is Making Noise—and When to

If your water heater has started making noise, it’s natural to wonder whether something is about to fail. Many sounds are caused by common, fixable issues—especially mineral buildup—while a few are red flags that warrant prompt inspection by a licensed plumber.

In most homes, water heaters cycle on and off to maintain temperature. That means occasional low-level sounds can be part of normal operation, particularly during heating and shortly afterward.