Popping or rumbling is the most common — that's sediment at the bottom of the tank getting heated and turning into steam pockets. A flush usually fixes it, and it's part of every annual maintenance visit we run at Phoenix Plumbing Co.
A high-pitched whining is often the heating element on an electric unit, or the gas valve on a gas unit. Call a pro — our water heater repair team can diagnose it same-day.
Ticking is normal — that's the expansion and contraction of pipes as hot water moves through. If it gets loud, you may have a loose strap.
If the popping and rumbling means your tank is on its way out, don't just reflexively buy the same thing again. A failing tank is the one moment you get to rethink the whole setup, and in Phoenix hard water the long-term math may surprise you. Before you decide, read my honest breakdown of tankless vs. tank water heaters for Phoenix homes.
Have a plumbing question this article didn't answer? Call Phoenix Plumbing Co. — a live Phoenix dispatcher picks up, and we'll give you straight advice on the phone.