DIYbanter - View Single Post - Gas Hot Water Heater Making Whining Noise

Speedy Jim

wrote:
Hello Everyone,

My gas hot water heater is making a high-pitched whining noise in the
evenings. This has happened two nights in a row at about 7pm. No
water using appliances had been used, nor had anyone in the house used
the shower or tub in the hours before the noise. The first time it
happened, I turned on the hot water in the kitchen, and the sound
stopped. I thought that was a fluke but tried it again last night.
Sure enough, the sound stopped abruptly as soon as the water in the
kitchen got warm after I turned it on.

Does anyone know what the cause of this might be and if it is
dangerous? The water heater is about 7 years old and it was pre-
installed in my manufactured home that was built in 2000.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Kim

City water supply?

It could be very high water pressure,
especially if there is no thermal expansion tank.

7 years is average heater life in some areas.
It is possible that there is a pinhole leak in the tank.
If you don't see any evidence, the leak could be in
the central flue where you won't see it.

Next time it happens, check to see if the burner is on.
That may rule in/out gas as the cause. Sometimes
the pilot burner can make oises, but running the water
should not affect the pilot.

Jim